Veterans and first responders dealing with post-traumatic stress disorder have an ally right here in our back yard.
Veterans and first responders are coming together.
"We are Got Your 6 support dogs," said Nicole Lanahan, the executive director. "We place dogs with veterans and first responders."
These dogs started training at eight weeks.
"We will train them until they're about 15 months old," Lanahan said. "We use mainly retrievers because we have the highest success rates."
On day five the bond between dog and recipient is evident.
From retrieving a phone to turning on a light switch, these dogs are changing the owners' lives.
These dogs are meant to provide emotional support and to do tasks for the solder or veteran are not able to do.
"Everyone reports sleeping better they report better relationships with spouses and family," Lanahan said. "Some of these men and women who were convinced they would never work again are starting out on part-time jobs."
It doesn't cost the veterans a dime. The money needed is raised from donations.
"When you bundle all that [training and other costs] together, the cost is about $23,000 a dog," Lanahan said.