Army veteran is able to go fishing again, thanks to his best friend Benny.
National Service Dog Day was on Sept. 20 and is designed to honor the role of service dogs in the lives of people with disabilities and America's veterans. The day was designated by Congress in 2023 and is part of September’s National Service Dog Month.
We asked you to share how your service dog has impacted your life, so we can share your story with others. We will continue to publish those stories throughout September.
Submit your own story and photo on www.legiontown.org in the “Why I Love My Service Animal” section.
Our latest in the series is from U.S. Army veteran Kurt Kruger, who talks about his best friend, his Labrador Benny.
Benny is a great Lab. He used to cry so bad in his kennel that I let him sleep with me. I have PTSD and I have nightmares, too. At just three-months-old he started licking my face and waking me up when a nightmare started. At 4-years-old he sleeps at the side of my bed and still wakes me up when the nightmare starts. He goes everywhere with me. He alerts me when my anxiety gets bad.
I’m also able to go pheasant hunting again. I have a bad back and sciatica. I can only road hunt. I can’t go in the ditch and flush and retrieve the birds. It allows me to get out of the city. He also loves to go in the boat. I don’t have anyone to go fishing with, so it’s nice to have the dog with.
I love him, and he's my best friend.
- Veterans Healthcare