Legacy Teams

My name is Larry Arthur. I served 4 years in the United States Army and additional 8 years in the Indiana Army National Guard, while on active duty I was sent to Saudi Arabia for Operation Desert Shield and then into Iraq and Kuwait for Operation Desert Storm. Due to my combat service, I suffer from various medical problems. My service dogs name is Reese. I have had him for approximately 2 years. I could not have imagined the impact Reese would have in my life. Reese not only provides unconditional love but support as well. When the darkness comes I know Reese is there. Having Reese has not only given me my life back but my family as well. Having Reese has allowed me to be an active member in my life.

My name is Vernon Brown and I am a U.S. Army Veteran who received my service dog from Paws-Ability, Inc.  I received Miley, my 6-year old chocolate lab in Spring 2020. I am so grateful to have gotten her. Since receiving Miley, I have taken the service animals training and graduated with her in Terre Haute, Indiana. I have hung this certificate on the wall to remind me of how honored I am to have Miley.

A few months ago, I was involved in an elevator incident where the elevator closed on me. I fell to the ground and Miley never left my side. She provided support and even licked my face to make sure I was ok. Miley has also been beneficial to my physical health. She has provided exercise for us both. We go outside every day and play ball. Miley is the best service-animal and has fit right in to my family the day she arrived home.  Thank you so much, Paws-Ability, Inc. for providing Miley to me.

Sully was an owner surrender who lived outside with his brother in a 4 x 4 pen. He is a graduate of Camp K9 with the Humane Society of Oldham County. Jim was becoming quite a shut-in, avoiding the general public at all costs, until Sully came to the rescue! While accompanying Jim in college, Sully learned quite a bit about Business and Computer Science, and today Sully puts this knowledge to work to help Jim as a Technology Consultant for Accenture.

Gloria just celebrated her 71st birthday in December. She suffers from extreme depression, PTSD, anxiety, balance issues and more. Lizzie helps her daily, even when Lizzie is not wearing her vest. Before Lizzie, Gloria had a dog named Bear, a loving Rottweiller, but he passed and she still thinks about him; he was 14 when he passed. Gloria went into the Army in 1982. She wanted to go full time, but had three young children, so she joined the reserves. She was a petroleum supply specialist and also water purification- from 1982 until 1992. She was activated in 1991 for Operation Dessert Storm. She got out of the reserves and went to semi-truck driving school, and drove over the road until 2005. Gloria enjoyed the job,but was suffering from panic attacks and her vision was going due to Hystoplasmosis, therefore she couldn’t drive at night very well. She told her dispatcher she would rather give it up rather than hurting someone or herself from poor vision. The next year Gloria applied for disability. Gloria enjoys helping others or visiting the shelters and sometimes volunteering. She says, “animals are my people; they don’t complain, don’t care if you cant sing, never judge- just love.” She also enjoys gardening, sewing, fishing, and easy listening music. Lizzie has her friend Bella and three other cats in the house- they all get along very well. Gloria has three grown children, two grandsons, which are married, and a set of twin great-grandsons.

This hero team came together to help Renée after years of emergency services work. Pearl now works night and day; she chases away night terrors. During the day she gives hugs to co-workers who are exhibiting stress and is a gentle therapy dog for elders of a local health campus. A few times each day she gets to just be a very happy dog running through a field and swimming in a creek. An unexpected positive result of the team has been that Renee’s world now seems much smaller, and less full of dangerous strangers due to Pearl being an ambassador, introducing the team to new friends and saying “hello” to old friends.

Over the years Jon has rescued dozens of dogs and has provided a loving home for all of them. Jon, a Vietnam veteran, was diagnosed with ALS two years ago. Shortly after that, he and his wife, Lynn, lost their last rescue dog.  ALS is a terrible fatal disease and he is now totally paralyzed and confined to a wheelchair. He is unable to do anything.  When Lynn heard of this opportunity she immediately responded that they would be honored to foster two puppies who will go on to serve other veterans.  “When Bell and Major joined our family it was love at first sight. They brought a big smile to Jon’s face and joy into our household. Jon said they have given him a reason to live.”