Fort Lupton, Colorado, veteran Hank Ford is crediting his three-year-old service dog, Tommy, with saving his life by waking him during a silent heart emergency. The Marine Corps and Army veteran was asleep when his pup started barking, pawing, and nudging him repeatedly. When Ford got up, he realized his heart was racing and his blood pressure was dangerously high. Doctors later diagnosed him with atrial fibrillation and said that if Tommy hadn’t alerted him, he might have suffered a fatal stroke in his sleep.
Ford and Tommy were paired together in 2023 through Dogs Inc, a nonprofit that trains service dogs to help veterans manage PTSD. They quickly developed a deep bond and the vet says that Tommy often responds to his smallest cues and provides comfort when his anxiety rises. The dog helps Ford stay grounded using “pressure therapy” by leaning against him or sitting on his lap when needed.
Dogs Inc representatives say Tommy’s actions went beyond his PTSD training, showing the close connection between service dogs and their handlers. Ford says the experience has given him renewed purpose and he hopes their story inspires other veterans to consider getting a service dog. “He’s my boy,” he says. “I trust him with everything now.”
Source: WCNC
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