People We've Helped

Joyce Van Horne and Service Dog Brigham

In 1995, Joyce was injured while serving on the US Navy aircraft carrier Abraham Lincoln. Her injury resulted in the loss of her hearing and caused a problem with her balance. Brigham, a smooth coat collie, was paired with Joyce providing the balance she needs while walking, and keeping her aware of important sounds in her environment. He wakes her up in the morning when the alarm clock rings, lets her know when someone is at the door or when the phone rings, and helps her respond to alarms and kitchen sounds.

The Tower of Hope sponsored the pairing of Joyce and Brigham in 2007.

Joe Keck and Service Dog Nolls

Joe lost his left arm in a vehicle accident in Afghanistan in 2006 while serving in the Army as an E-4 Specialist. Joe is currently stationed in Fort Bragg, North Carolina. Joe intends to take Nolls, a black lab, with him to college. Nolls will assist Joe by picking up articles he might drop, opening doors, pressing automatic key pads, helping to pull off clothing, and barking on command should Joe need assistance.

The Tower of Hope sponsored the training and pairing of Nolls with Joe in 2007.

Elaine Laffan and Service Dog Lunar Sky

With the help of her 26-month-old golden retriever, Lunar Sky, Elaine has started gardening again. Elaine, who has multiple sclerosis, has been able to take advantage of beautiful sunny days, instead of staying immobile inside her house. Elaine uses a wheelchair or walking cane, and relies on Lunar Sky to help her get around.

The Tower of Hope sponsored the training and pairing of Elaine and Lunar Sky in 2007.

Robert Evans and Service Dog Steve

Robert Evans enlisted at the age of 17 and was 20 years old when he first deployed to Iraq in 2005, serving 15 months as an infantryman. He returned in 2007 for a second deployment. He was a Bradley tank commander when he was injured in an IED attack. In addition to compressing his spine, the explosion caused a traumatic amputation at the wrist. He spent six months recovering at Walter Reed Army Medical Center. Steve retrieves items that Robert can't reach, and provides stability support when his back injury is acting up. Steve also offers emotional comfort when Robert is feeling down. "If there's one thing I've learned from my injury," this veteran says, "it's that life's too short to be worried about small things, things out of your control."

The Tower of Hope sponsored the training and pairing of Steve and Robert in 2007.  To see Robert discuss the difference Steve has made, click here.

Michael Selleh and Service Dog Miracle

In his 16 years as career service military man, Staff Sergeant Michael Selleh has been deployed multiple times around the world. In December 2005, while preparing for another deployment to Iraq, he was injured in a training exercise, which resulted in hip and knee trauma. He then suffered a serious brain injury and a series of simultaneous strokes, leaving him with brain damage, including cognitive impairment and short-term memory loss. Sergeant Selleh spent two years in rehabilitation therapy at Walter Reed Army Medical Center, having to relearn "everything." Miracle is trained to help with balance and stability, giving Michael the time he needs to make a decision, as well as providing emotional comfort and reassurance.

The Tower of Hope sponsored the training and pairing of Miracle and Michael in 2008.

Lori Meshell and Service Dog Star

Army Sergeant Lori Meshell shattered a hip and crushed her back and knees during a mortar attack in Iraq. She has undergone hip replacement and knee reconstruction surgeries, and it is anticipated that she will need at least three more surgeries. Star, a black lab, helps Lori keep her balance when she walks, and provides support when she experiences severe pain. Star also retrieves items for her, and gives her unqualified affection and support.

The Tower of Hope sponsored the training and pairing of Star with Lori in 2008.

Josh Cooley and Service Dog Courage

Josh suffered a traumatic brain injury as a result of a roadside IED explosion in Iraq in which his vehicle caught fire. When his fellow soldiers realized he was still inside the vehicle, they rushed to extricate him, but not before Josh was severely burned. His left leg and arm are impaired due to decreased strength and coordination. Due to his head injury, speech and conversation are difficult. Courage is helping Josh in unbelievable ways. Josh is communicating again and can walk for brief periods, with Courage.

The Tower of Hope sponsored the training and pairing of Josh and Courage in 2009.

Grayson "Norris" Galatas and Service Dog Willie

Norris' career as a U.S. Army combat engineer was cut short in 2005 when he was injured while serving in Iraq. He has limited mobility and muscular weakness that is greatly helped by his balance dog Willie. Norris counts on Willie to help him get through the tough days of being tired from walking and to help him get up when he falls.

The Tower of Hope sponsored the training and pairing of Willie with Norris in 2009.

Lillian Boesch (R.I.P.) and Service Dog Gabriel

The Tower of Hope sponsored the training and pairing of Lillian and Gabriel in 2009.

We are sorry to report that Lillian passed away in late March 2010 due to illness. Please click here to read her story. Gabriel has been reassigned to assist a new partner.

Jade Perry and Service Dog Katie Dawg

Jade Perry suffers from Friedrich’s Ataxia, a rare inherited disorder that affects the nervous system and spinal cord, causing its victims to lose motor skills and have great difficulty in walking. In particular, Jade has poor balance, needs a cane to walk, and will typically fall several times each day. Jade has been paired with Katie Dawg, a two-year old Great Dane that provides support and balance.

The Tower of Hope sponsored the training and pairing of Jade and Katie Dawg in 2009.

Donald Nelson and Service Dog Rusty

Donald Nelson was wounded while serving in Vietnam. Since his return home, he has also been severely burned in an industrial accident and subsequently suffered a stroke, leaving him partially paralyzed. Despite his setbacks, Don maintains a positive attitude and strives to remain independent.

The Tower of Hope sponsored the training and pairing of Don and Rusty in 2009.

Sandra Frazier and Service Dog Blue

Sandra Frazier suffers from severe diabetes. She has extremely low blood pressure and is prone to suddenly losing consciousness. In addition, she often needs help walking, retrieving dropped items and getting up from a seated position.

Blue, her service dog, has been trained to assist Sandra in walking and rising, and other task including helping with the laundry (!) Blue has also been specifically trained to bring Sandra her cell phone after a fall.

The Tower of Hope sponsored the training and pairing of Sandra and Blue in 2009.

Melissa Stockwell and Service Dog Jake

Melissa was the first woman amputee from the Iraq/Afghanistan wars. She was in a humvee that was attacked and the explosion severed her left leg above the knee. She received the Purple Heart and a Bronze Star and retired from the army. Melissa has learned to compete in swimming and use some of the most advanced prosthetic devices. She is pursuing a career as a prosthetist. Jake helps Melissa do some of the things she can’t do when her prosthetic is removed, and provides incredible moral support.

The Tower of Hope sponsored the training and pairing of Melissa and Jake in 2009. Watch a video of Melissa's story.

Frank Pierson and Service Dog Leo

Frank lost both of his legs in Iraq when an IED exploded. Frank currently uses a wheelchair for mobility, and is hoping that Leo will help him transition more quickly to his new prosthetics. Due to his injuries (amputation of his left leg below the knee and right leg above the knee, balance will be a major issue. Retrieving items and helping with the wheelchair will keep Leo busy. Of course, Leo is trained to do these things, so Frank should be mobile very quickly.

The Tower of Hope sponsored the training and pairing of Frank with Leo in 2009.

Danny Pion and Service Dog Deacon

Danny suffers from a spinal cord injury that he received in a pool accident in 2009. He has range of arm motion, but no grip ability and no ability to walk. Danny uses a personal care attendant for some things, but Deacon will be his full time arms--to pick up things, get things he needs from unreachable places, and turn lights on and off, and to do other tasks. In Danny's words, "Deacon has improved the quality of my life greatly." Danny served in the Vermont National Guard. Deacon was trained in a correctional center in Norfolk, MA.

The Tower of Hope sponsored the training and pairing of Danny and Deacon in 2010.

Troy Nelson and Service Dog Glory

Troy Nelson of Derby, Kansas, suffered a spinal cord injury in an accident in Kuwait during OIF and OEF operations. Troy will be using a wheelchair for the rest of his life. After some time, he became aware that assistance dogs were very helpful for those who use a wheelchair. As a Veteran, Glory, was trained by inmates at a correctional facility. Glory picked up only good habits there, and has been taking good care of Troy since his release. Troy and his wife, Sheila, have 3 children.

The Tower of Hope sponsored the training and pairing of Troy and Glory in 2010.

Jay Henchen and Service Dog Gabrielle

Jay joined the Air Force in Feb. 1995 and was stationed overseas (Spain) working in communications when he was injured and diagnosed as a C-5, C-6 spinal cord injury. He received an honorable medical discharge in August 1996 Radar was my first pet and he was the best companion anyone could ask for.  Besides companionship, he brought me a great deal of independence.  I'm a quadriplegic and constantly dropping things such as keys, remotes or the phone so and I really relied on Radar for retrieving.  His service gave me confidence not to rely on needing another person around and gave family members more freedom knowing he was there to assist me. His training, and obedience made it very easy for me to care for him. Now Gabrielle will be doing the same thing for me as Radar did.

The Tower of Hope sponsored the training and pairing of Jay and Gabrielle (Gabby) in 2010.

Jennifer Clark-Barto and Service Dog Emmett

Retired Army Sergeant Jennifer Clark-Barto, a 13 year combat medic, spent 6 years in the Middle East (4 years in Saudi Arabia, 2 years in IraqIn September, 2004, Jennifer’s convoy was traveling Route Irish back to the base in Baghdad when it was hit by an IED.  She suffered a closed Traumatic Brain Injury, spinal cord compression, hip and knee injury and shrapnel wounds but refused treatment until she had triaged and made sure that the rest of her team was safe.  After spending a year at Walter Reed, Jennifer is recovering but still suffers migraines as part of the residual effects of the TBI and needed a dog to assist with her gait and balance.  Retrieving her cane when she drops it, providing stability and balance when walking and helping her to integrate socially when exposed to groups of people are additional benefits a service dog could provide.

The Tower of Hope sponsored the trainng and pairing of Jennifer and Emmett in 2010