Update on our Canines for Combat Veterans Program

Brian Fountaine and Service Dog Dango, MA

From the day this canine partner got his name “Dango” we knew he was special. Graduate John DeFazio and his wife Marie and Service Dog Shapleigh named this dog in honor of a best friend, Pete Dango who was battling cancer. Although Pete never met the puppy that was his namesake he smiled with pride when his friends told him about “Dango”. Matched with Brian Fountaine a veteran who lost both legs when an IED exploded in Iraq, Dango walks quietly by his human partner’s side; retrieving keys, picking up a dropped cell phone and his leash. He even brings the portable phone to Brian when it rings. As of late he has figured out how to bring Brian his prosthetic legs and even wakes up Brian’s wife Mary when given the command “go get mom”! Brian sums everything up when he says “Dango is easy to handle, easy to fall in love with and easy to accept as a new member of the family!” Dango was raised in the Hampshire County House of Correction.

Tyler Wilson and Service Dog Antoine, CO

In May of 2005, Tyler Wilson was wounded while serving in Afghanistan. He uses a wheelchair for mobility and applied for a Service Dog to assist him. “Antoine” a golden retriever mix was just the right partner for him. Trained by an inmate at NECC in Concord, MA, Antoine opens doors, retrieves articles, pushes elevator buttons and turns lights on and off. Squadron mates from the 603rd air control, along with friends and family named Antoine in honor of fallen comrade Antoine Holt. The Delta Society sponsored this Canines for Combat Veterans team.

Joyce Van Horn and Hearing Dog Brigham

In 1995, Joyce was on the Abraham Lincoln bringing much needed supplies to those in the Gulf War when she suffered a headache and was medivaced to Bahrain International Hospital. As a result of this she lost her hearing and has a difficult time with her balance. She applied for a Hearing Dog for help in both areas. Brigham, a smooth coat collie was paired with Joyce. He provides the balance she needs as well as keeping her in tune with 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 calls her name and responds to the smoke alarm and kitchen sounds. Brigham was raised at the North Central Correctional Institute in Gardner, MA. Joyce and Brigham make their home in Virginia.

John Sanchez and Hearing Dog Honeybun

John Sanchez served in the army for twenty-one years on tanks. While serving in the Gulf War he lost his hearing due to the loud explosions and gun fire. He requested the services of a Hearing Dog to help him hear the telephone, doorbell, and when someone comes into the house. Honeybun, a beautiful yellow lab, raised by inmates at the JJ Moran Correctional Center in RI, is the perfect match for John. Her gregarious nature assures that she will never miss a sound. John and his family live in Las Vegas, Nevada.

Sgt. Darryl Wallace and Service (Dual) Dog Buddy, Harlem, GA

Sgt. Darryl Wallace, his wife Tiffany and their son Chris are eager to Welcome Service Dog Buddy into their lives to assist Darryl with balance after he lost both legs, due to an IED, in Afghanistan while deployed with the 82nd 1/508th. Although Darryl sustained other significant injuries in the attack due to his service for our country, Buddy will also help Darryl in everyday activities like picking up objects that have fallen, general stability and continuing with his love of hunting, fishing and the outdoors, as he walks with his prosthesis. Buddy came to NEADS from Guiding Eyes for the Blind and was raised at the J J Moran Medium Security Prison in Cranston, RI.

Roland Paquette and Service Dog Rainbow

On October 24, 2006 Sergeant Roland Paquette received his Service Dog Rainbow through the NEADS Canines for Combat Veterans Program. Sergeant Paquette lost both his legs in Afghanistan. Rainbow is trained to act as a “walking cane” for Roland, providing balance and stability. In the evening when Roland removes his prosthetics Rainbow goes into Service Dog mode; picking up dropped articles, retrieving articles off high counters and turning on and off light switches. Rainbow was the FIRST Service Dog in the country to be placed with a disabled veteran from the Iraq/Afghanistan wars. They happily reside in Texas where Roland works for the army in a civilian position dealing with classified information.

Raymond Hubbard and Service Dog Dace

On July 4, 2006 Specialist Raymond Hubbard’s life changed forever when a rocket exploded while he was on guard duty in Iraq. Amputating his left leg below the knee, shattering his elbow and severing his carotid artery causing a stroke, this landed him in Walter Reed Medical Center where he heard about a new “medicine” – a Canine for a Combat Veteran. Partnered with a beautiful black lab named “Dace” who was raised at MCI-Framingham, he now does not have to worry so much about falling or dropping things, Dace is on it. Raymond and Service Dog Dace is our 2nd “Canine for Combat Veterans Team”.

Joe Keck and Service Dog Nolls

Joe Keck is a soldier in the US Army who lost his left arm while serving in Afghanistan. He heard about the NEADS Canines for Combat Veterans Program while recuperating at Walter Reed. He requested that a Service Dog help him carry his text books and open heavy doors for him as he plans on returning to college. He also asked if his Service Dog could pick up small objects for him as it was difficult to do this with his prosthetic device. His big black lab Nolls who was raised by inmates at the Hampshire County Jail fills the bill becoming Joe’s extra hand.

Sue Downes and Service Dog Lila

Sue, a military police officer, became disabled when an IED exploded while she was on a humanitarian mission in Afghanistan. Her Service Dog Lila, who was raised in the JJ Moran Correctional Facility, provides the balance she needs when she walks with her two prosthetic legs. In the evening when Sue removes her legs and becomes sedentary Lila retrieves articles for her. Because both Sue and Lila are blondes, the veterans at Walter Reed who have seen this dynamic team have nicknamed them “Blonde on Blonde”. Sue is the first woman veteran in the country to receive a Service Dog.

Christopher Strickland and Service Dog Ruthie

Wounded in Iraq by an IED Chris has an amputated arm, shattered legs and sight loss in one eye. He applied for a Service Dog for “help in his daily life.” Ruthie, a yellow lab trained by inmates at the JJ Moran Correctional Facility is just the Service Dog to help him. With impeccable retrieving skills she acts as Chris’ extra hand. After a long day of walking, Chris relies on Ruthie for balance. He also uses Ruthie to help him get up from a sitting position. Chris lives in Connecticut with his wife Amanda and their child Bradley.

Joshua Ferguson and Service Dog Mazey

Joshua was injured in April 2007 by an IED in Iraq. He is an above the knee amputee and Mazey will be the first dog to wear the new lightweight Walker Dog harness, developed by a Leominster, MA plastics company. Joshua and his wife live in Alaska and have three small children. Joshua completed his training in December 2007 and will “officially” graduate on March 2, 2008.

We have hired a new trainer and a prison pup trainer to facilitate more placements and are opening more Prison PUP Partnerships to increase the number of puppies in our puppy program. On May 1st our 11th partnership will open at the Caledonia Work Camp in St. Johnsbury, VT.

Thank you for your support of our Canines for Combat Veterans Program.

For an application, please contact us.

To make a founding contribution to this important program: click here.