Fire Team K-9's helping veterans battle PTSD
On a day that brings back flashes of trauma or anxiety for some, Fire Team K-9's, a non-profit organization in Pembroke, Ont., has persevered through the pandemic to continue providing service dogs to those living with PTSD.
For Louis Pelletier, his service dog Bristol has changed his life.
"I didn't leave my basement for multiple years because I could not do public," Pelletier tells CTV News. "I had some traumatic events that caused me to, let's say, take a knee at one point, because I had 18 years of career done and multiple deployments."
Pelletier has been a client at Fire Team K-9's for more than four months and doesn't go anywhere without his trusted companion.
"She does not leave my side," says Pelletier. "She will alert me at any time if my anxiety gets too high, or I have a little panic attack."
Bristol helped save Pelletier thanks to K-9 Headquarters, a business established by Fire Team K-9's during the pandemic that just celebrated its first anniversary. K-9 Headquarters offers doggy daycare, grooming, and training services, and was set up to financially support Fire Team K-9's over the last year.
"When COVID hit, we had all these dogs in training but no place to train them," says Jeff Hinch, president of Fire Team K-9's, "so, we took a gamble and opened this place up."
Hinch is a 23-year veteran himself, having served three tours in Afghanistan. He started Fire Team K-9's four years ago with his service dogc, Judah, alongside him.
"There's a long waiting list right now; a lot of veterans and especially first responders," says Hinch, "a lot of veterans my age who are trying to deal with this stuff."
Working alongside Hinch is his wife Jen, who is the director of operations and animal welfare at Fire Team K-9's.
"Getting my husband's service dog, Judah, it was the missing puzzle piece and I like to tell everyone that Judah actually gave me my family back," says Jen. She says the last year has been difficult for the organization between the pandemic and losing their vice-president to cancer.
But she also thanks the community for making the new venture a success. Being so near to CFB Petawawa, she is eager and motivated to work through their long list of applicants.
"Without Judah I don't know where we'd be," says Jen. "When I see the difference it makes, it's what keeps us going and I just want to get as many dogs to as many veterans as possible so that they can get a new lease on life as well and get back to where they were."
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
NEW From yearning for a change to cost of living, why some Canadians have left or may leave the country
For some immigrants, their dreams of permanently settling in Canada have taken an unexpected twist.
Here are the ultraprocessed foods you most need to avoid, according to a 30-year study
Studies have shown that ultraprocessed foods can have a detrimental impact on health. But 30 years of research show they don’t all have the same impact.
NEW Capital gains tax change 'shortsighted' and 'sows division' business groups tell Freeland
Forging ahead with increasing Canada's capital gains inclusion rate 'sows division,' and is a 'shortsighted' way to improve the deficit, business groups are warning Finance Minister Chrystia Freeland.
Ontario man frustrated after $3,500 paving job leaves driveway in shambles
An Ontario man considering having his driveway paved received a quote from a company for $7,000, but then, another paver in the neighbourhood knocked on his door and offered half that rate.
Defence attacks Stormy Daniels' credibility as she returns to the stand in Trump's hush money trial
Stormy Daniels will return to the witness stand Thursday in Donald Trump's hush money trial as the defence tries to undermine the credibility of the porn actor's salacious testimony about their alleged sexual encounter and the money she was paid to keep quiet.
With contactless screening tech, this Toronto startup hopes to catch breast cancer early — and save lives
Amid evidence of rising breast cancer rates among young women in Canada, one Toronto startup is offering a contactless and radiation-free device that can help doctors identify suspicious changes in breast tissue. The company, Linda Lifetech, says this can lead to earlier detection of breast cancer.
Tornadoes tear through southeastern U.S. as storms leave 3 dead
Forecasters warned a wave of dangerous storms in the U.S. could wash over parts of the South early Thursday, a day after severe weather with damaging tornadoes and large hail killed at least three people in the region.
Police handcuff man trying to enter Drake's Toronto mansion
Toronto police say a man was taken into custody outside Drake's Bridle Path mansion Wednesday afternoon after he tried to gain access to the residence.
What is whooping cough and should Canadians be concerned as Europe declares outbreak?
There is currently a whooping cough epidemic in Europe, with 10 times as many cases compared to the previous two years. While an outbreak has not been declared nationwide in Canada, whooping cough is regularly detected in the country.