A US Marine's Faithful Companion Saved His Life: The Power of Service Dogs
Hank Ford, a decorated former U.S. Army and Marine, has been living with PTSD for years, often feeling anxious and disconnected from the world around him. But since receiving a service dog named Tommy two years ago, his life has taken a dramatic turn for the better.
Tommy is more than just a pet - he's a lifeline to Ford. The 3-year-old yellow Labrador wakes Ford up every morning at 7 a.m., but on one fateful day in February, Tommy's behavior was unusually urgent. As Ford slept, Tommy began barking frantically and pawing at him with his nose. Despite the dog's usual reserved demeanor, Tommy seemed to be trying to convey an important message.
Ford woke up to find himself being pestered by Tommy, who was hitting him in the chest - a behavior he rarely exhibits. Once Ford got out of bed, he realized something was seriously wrong. He drove himself to the hospital, where doctors discovered that he had suffered a severe case of A-fib, an irregular and rapid heartbeat that can lead to massive strokes.
If Tommy hadn't woken Ford up that morning, it's likely that he would have suffered a life-threatening stroke in his sleep. The dog's timely intervention saved Ford's life, and he credits Tommy with helping him overcome the debilitating symptoms of PTSD.
Ford's gratitude for Tommy's actions is palpable, and he acknowledges that their bond has been instrumental in his recovery. With Tommy by his side, Ford feels more secure and connected to the world around him.
The story highlights the vital role that service dogs like Tommy play in supporting veterans struggling with PTSD. Dogs, Inc., a nonprofit organization that provides service dogs to veterans, is making a significant impact on the lives of those who need it most.
As Ford looks to the future, he's optimistic about his recovery and the role that Tommy will continue to play in his life. With the help of his faithful companion, Ford is finally starting to feel like himself again - and it's all thanks to the selfless devotion of a remarkable dog named Tommy.
Hank Ford, a decorated former U.S. Army and Marine, has been living with PTSD for years, often feeling anxious and disconnected from the world around him. But since receiving a service dog named Tommy two years ago, his life has taken a dramatic turn for the better.
Tommy is more than just a pet - he's a lifeline to Ford. The 3-year-old yellow Labrador wakes Ford up every morning at 7 a.m., but on one fateful day in February, Tommy's behavior was unusually urgent. As Ford slept, Tommy began barking frantically and pawing at him with his nose. Despite the dog's usual reserved demeanor, Tommy seemed to be trying to convey an important message.
Ford woke up to find himself being pestered by Tommy, who was hitting him in the chest - a behavior he rarely exhibits. Once Ford got out of bed, he realized something was seriously wrong. He drove himself to the hospital, where doctors discovered that he had suffered a severe case of A-fib, an irregular and rapid heartbeat that can lead to massive strokes.
If Tommy hadn't woken Ford up that morning, it's likely that he would have suffered a life-threatening stroke in his sleep. The dog's timely intervention saved Ford's life, and he credits Tommy with helping him overcome the debilitating symptoms of PTSD.
Ford's gratitude for Tommy's actions is palpable, and he acknowledges that their bond has been instrumental in his recovery. With Tommy by his side, Ford feels more secure and connected to the world around him.
The story highlights the vital role that service dogs like Tommy play in supporting veterans struggling with PTSD. Dogs, Inc., a nonprofit organization that provides service dogs to veterans, is making a significant impact on the lives of those who need it most.
As Ford looks to the future, he's optimistic about his recovery and the role that Tommy will continue to play in his life. With the help of his faithful companion, Ford is finally starting to feel like himself again - and it's all thanks to the selfless devotion of a remarkable dog named Tommy.
I mean, think about it, they're trained to detect even the slightest changes in their owner's behavior, like Hank Ford's irregular heartbeat. It's crazy to me that these dogs can be so attuned to our needs and reactions. And it's not just about the physical stuff, but also the emotional support they provide - I've heard from friends who have PTSD and they swear by their service dogs for being able to calm them down in moments of crisis. We need more organizations like Dogs, Inc. that are making a difference in people's lives 
A dog can literally be a lifesaver! Like, imagine having a personal alarm system (Tommy) that checks in on you when you need help most. It's wild how much of a difference service dogs like Tommy can make for people struggling with PTSD.
. And it's not like he's just any ordinary dog, it's a 3-year-old yellow Labrador that can sense when something is wrong and knows how to react. That's what I call loyalty 
. It's great to see the impact these dogs have on people's lives, especially those with PTSD who need all the help they can get. Hank Ford's story is definitely inspiring 
and a big shoutout to Dogs, Inc. for doing such amazing work 
I'm so done with the whole "service dogs are just pets" vibe. Like, come on! This dude's life literally depended on his pup waking him up that morning. No way you can say that's not a game-changer. And it's not like Ford was just sleeping in all day or anything. The dog is trained to wake him up for a reason - because the vet said he needs to be taken care of ASAP! 
I mean, can you even imagine not having a furry little alarm clock to wake you up in the morning? Like, what's going on with people who don't have a service dog? Anyway, this dude Hank Ford got lucky, literally, that his service dog Tommy saved his life from A-fib. It's crazy how these dogs can sense when something is off and freak out like it's nobody's business. 
I'm just glad Hank is on the road to recovery and has Tommy by his side. It's a reminder that sometimes all it takes is a little bit of love and companionship to turn our lives around. 
his PTSD was getting worse and then tommy just wakes him up and the rest is history 
. it's amazing how much of a difference these service dogs make in people's lives 
. i'm so grateful for organizations like dogs, inc. that are making a real difference in our veterans' lives 
.
and now he's feeling more connected than ever - it's like, what would we do without these incredible service dogs in our lives? they're not just pets, they're lifesavers 
i'm so glad organizations like dogs inc. are doing their part to provide them to veterans like hank who need them most 
. Can someone please share some credible sources on this topic?
! Did you know that 1 in 5 veterans experience PTSD & a service dog can make all the difference? 
The stats are insane! 
In fact, research shows that service dogs reduce stress by up to 44% and improve mood by 34%! 
Hank Ford's story is just one example of how these amazing animals can change lives. I'm also loving the fact that Dogs, Inc. is doing such great work & providing service dogs to those who need them most 
It's wild! 
. The fact that Dogs, Inc. is doing this work with veterans like Ford is just incredible 