DAYTON, Ohio ( WDTN ) — One local organization is dedicated to lending a helping hand, or paw as the case may be, to veterans in need.
“Dogs are truly a man’s best friend and they’re just so in tune with all of our feelings and emotions. And on top of that, I’ve been able to task train them to mitigate a disability,” said Kalynn Clark, 4 PAWS 4 Ability.
Marine Corps veteran Elijah Mann found a best friend in his pup, Jackson.
‘Modern Warrior Live’ will tell vet’s story of healing
“He is quirky. And he’s very loving. He’s very patient as well,” said Mann.
Mann served for four years, touring Iraq twice and once in Japan. When his service was said and done, he was left broken.
“I was having a world of trouble. I had turned to drinking to try and hide or fix my PTSD.
I was seeking help at the VA years later after I got out, and one of the things that came up was a service dog and how it could help me pretty much get out of the house,” said Mann.
He then turned to 4 Paws 4 Ability, a Xenia-based program designed to train and place service dogs with disabled children and veterans.