PORTLAND, Ore. (KOIN) — For some veterans with post-traumatic stress disorder, a service dog can be life changing. On Wednesday, several veterans received a service dog-in-training from an Oregon non-profit.
Craig Patterson, the director of the non-profit Canine Alert and Medical Assistance organization, drove to Portland from Roseburg to deliver these future service dogs to vets like Dan Even.
“What we dedicated ourselves to doing is breeding, raising, training and placing post-traumatic stress service dogs,” Patterson told KOIN 6 News.
Even, an Army veteran, learned about the effort through the VFW.
“Well, I’m kind of cautious about people walking up behind me, so I’ll train the dog,” Even said, “basically tell him to watch my back.”
Right now, the pups are still working on the basics. They’ll need more training to become service dogs.
Patterson is creating an instructional video showing veterans how to train and certify their dog.
“No one is going to breed enough service dogs to take care of a quarter-of-a-million veterans who have a need,” he said. “I have to multiply myself somehow, so that’s what we’re doing.”
It’s a journey and bond with his dog that Dan Even looks forward to, a new tool and a new best friend to help him thrive.
“I’m ecstatic,” he said. “I’m glad.”
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