Lanny & Tank
Why I Have a Helper Dog
I'm 56 years old and am a disabled Vietnam veteran. I was a door gunner on a helicopter, and I guess we just fell out of the sky one time too many.
For over 30 years, I have lived with chronic spinal pain until finally I ended up in a wheelchair. Oh, I have some pretty ones. Black, red, even a power chair that I may add cost thousands of dollars.
This wasn't enough for me. I've a hard head and I want to walk as much as possible, pain or not.
I heard an advertisement on TV where an older gentleman says a power chair is the next best thing to legs! He obviously would rather ride than walk.
I know I'll never be completely out of this wheelchair, but I have good days where I can walk with great care as I fall a lot.
My loving wife of 37 years found "Gateway." Merely by chance but nevertheless she stopped to check it out.
She brought home some information for me to read and we decided to check into this further.
When I met "Tank," I was hooked. A big, black Lab. Big enough to support my 185 pounds. I was hooked, for the first time in years I had some hope.
I love Tank will never part with him. He is the next best thing to legs. The list of things he does is too long to state.
I told my wife I felt like I was getting married all over again.
This program is definitely worth checking into and I am so grateful to my wife for getting the information and helping me with training.
I especially want to thank Gateway, because they made it happen and they provide top notch training.
