Dogs can truly change lives for the better, and there’s little wonder that more and more are being trained as service dogs, not only to help with physical disabilities but also emotional struggles.
There’s just something do calming about cuddling up with an animal, and specially trained dogs are able to detect when a person is feeling anxious, as well as being aware of exactly how to make somebody feel safe and comfortable until the anxiety passes.
We often think about how amazingly talented these dogs are, without sparing much of a thought for the people who train them. Despite the fact that these people are simply doing their job, it would be wrong to assume that they don’t form an attachment with the animals that they’re training, especially as they will often spend lots of time together.
So when a service dog was reunited with his trainer, it was an incredibly emotional moment which left not a dry eye in the room! the beautiful reunion was captured on camera, and we knew that we’d have to share it with you.
A video which was posted onto YouTube by OWN tells the story of Bill Campbell, an Iraq war veteran, who returned home with 100% disability due to a traumatic concussive brain injury. His life could have been turned completely upside down, but luckily, somebody very special was waiting for him.
Pax, a beautiful yellow Labrador, had been trained by a woman named Lauri, and began his role as Bill’s PTSD service dog from the moment Bill arrived home. Thanks to Pax, Bill was able to still live a life after the war, and he wanted to reward the dog with a special treat: to go and visit his old trainer, Lauri.
So Bill arranged for the meeting to take place, and the pair made the journey to Bedford Hills Women Correctional Facility where Pax was trained. Not only was this a special day for Pax, but it was also going to be the first time that Bill was meeting the woman who had trained the dog who helped to turn his life around.
When the day arrived, Pax seemed to sense that something exciting was going on, and his excitement was only amplified as Bill took him up the hill towards Lauri. Pax knew immediately where he was, and the magical moment when he spotted Lauri brought tears to our eyes!
The ecstatic dog raced straight towards his old trainer and showered her with affection. It was clear that he still recognized her, and had probably been missing her a lot. Lauri became emotional herself, and spoke between tears about how Paz had helped her emotionally even when she was training him.
“I knew when they told me when he was going into PTSD training, that he was going to make somebody feel the sense of freedom that he gave me in a place where I was supposed to be everything but (freedom),” she said. “I realized, by giving me Pax and by taking him from me. He had given me the greatest gift that anyone has ever given me my entire life. He had restored a piece of my soul”.
What a lovely moment for everybody! Watch the emotional video below.
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