I could no longer practice medicine when a neurological disorder progressed to the point that I struggled to maintain balance and had lost much of the strength in my hands. When my right leg was amputated just below the knee, the challenge to stay mobile and independent grew. Initially, I resisted the idea of getting a service dog, but after much encouragement from my wife, I got Indy from New Horizons in 2010. Fortunately with Indy’s help, I’m able to continue teaching in the medical profession. Indy has been trained to serve as a living brace for me – using his strength to keep me from falling. In spite of my physical limitations, I can now do almost anything I want to do with confidence. Indy is short for Independence – what he has given back to me. He also gives me tremendous emotional comfort. My medical practice for 12 years in the Air Force didn’t include treatment of those wounded in combat. However, based on my personal experiences and conversations with veterans and their health-care providers, I’m convinced a well-trained service dog offers the most effective treatment for PTSD. The impact of having this service dog is the difference between night and day in my life. He makes life possible, not just bearable.
