Montana veteran gets help from service dog

MISSOULA, Mont. — Canine Companions for Independence is a nonprofit organization that provides service dogs to those in need free of charge.

Montana resident, veteran, and sexual assault survivor, Amber B. Skylar has a service dog from them who helps with her post- traumatic stress disorder.

Arbor has been by Skylar’s side for the last year.

“People see me, and they see my dog and they say, ‘thank you for your service,’” Skylar said. “I never got that before, especially as a female, now he’s like a badge of honor for me.”

These highly trained service dogs have the resume to prove that their help works.

According to Canine Companions, one third of veterans say they have decreased their medication, 74 percent report decreased symptoms, 87 percent see an increase in social life, 89 percent of veterans feel safer, and 100 percent report more independence and happiness.