CABOT, Ark. (KTHV) - Fellowship Baptist Church in Cabot is working to make life better for veterans with PTSD.
Greg Sporer, a retired Air Force PTSD therapist, started the Veteran's Best Friend program two years ago. He keeps the standards high. Only six out of 100 dogs will make it to training, and then are weeded out further from there. The organization runs by volunteers and donations alone. The service dogs have been rescued and are trained as puppies. If you would like to sponsor a therapy dog, it's only $25 a month. You can contact Greg Sporer for more information: 501-422-8310.
One of the veterans that was just recently paired with a service dog is Connie Davidson. She has suffered with PTSD since her deployment to Iraq in 2011. She worked as a Black Hawk Chief and Gunner. A fellow gunman lost control of his weapon and struck her across the face. As a result, she lost hearing in her left ear, sight in her left eye and deals with chronic vertigo. Her therapy dog, Buddy, helps her deal with all of her issues.
Most importantly, he has helped her get back into public situations. Thanks to Buddy, Connie met her soon-to-be husband Steve. She both care for several rescue animals and Buddy is a vital part of their lives. He helps Connie do everything, from keeping balance, to not running into things to staying calm in a crowd.
The couple is getting married on horseback in September, and just as Buddy tagged along on their first date, he'll play a part in the ceremony.
