Soldiers who need assistance after coming home from war greatly benefit from service dogs. But what happens when those service dogs are raised by prison inmates?
In the video below, you'll meet two men on either side of the story, as an inmate is reunited with the dog he helped raise and train while behind bars.
NEADS is a program that pairs puppies with inmates who train the animals as service dogs for the disabled. The cameras were rolling as injured soldier visited a Rhode Island prison to say "thank you" to the man who trained his dog and best friend, Chase.
Army Sgt. Austin Burchard was on his first tour of duty in Afghanistan when a bullet wound caused damage to four organs. He spent 21 months in the hospital and underwent 15 surgeries. He thought his life was over — until he met Chase.
While Sgt. Burchard recovered in the hospital, a prison inmate on the opposite side of the country was training his future dog. For three months, Joey dedicated himself to teaching the pup various chores that would help make the soldier's life much easier.
Watch as Sgt. Burchard travels all the way from Florida just to meet the man who ultimately helped save his life. My heart filled with joy watching Joey and Chase meet again. It's like they never missed a beat!
Do you think more prisons across the country would benefit from a program like this? Let us know, and please SHARE this video with your friends on Facebook!
