Finding Healing in a Friend

Many veterans face complications with transitioning back to a civilian life. In many cases, the complications can come from a diagnosis of Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD). Veterans that seek treatment through Veterans Affairs or other facilities that treat mental health don’t always find the help they are looking for. Instead, they lean toward someone that will always be by their side.

Photos Courtesy of Wolfhounds Legacy.

Wolfhounds Legacy is a non-profit organization that rescues dogs from high kill shelters. They pair the dogs with veterans who are then taught how to train them under the organization’s guidance.

Bob Quigley dedicated 6 years of his life in the Army during the Vietnam War era. After attending group therapy sessions for PTSD he received a revealing message that would lead him to his companion.

“The therapist passed out some cards and said ‘This is for Wolfhounds Legacy,’” Quigley said. “I thought ‘Wow! The unit I was with in Vietnam was the Signal Company with the Wolfhounds.’ I wanted to find out what it was about.”

Quigley attended the next new class meeting and said it was exactly what he was looking for.

“I’ve been in class for about 5 months with my dog, Duke,” Quigley said. “I feel like this has given me a feeling of occupancy. Something more to occupy my time. Duke has become my best friend.”

Vietnam veterans returned home in 1973 and encountered hostility from the American people.

“Many people threw things at us,” Quigley said. “No one was out there to say ‘welcome home.’ I believe this program has done good for us and other veterans. I can’t thank them enough.”

To learn more about Wolfhounds Legacy be sure to watch the video below. Founder, Faye Keller, tells about the “why” and “how” Wolfhounds Legacy saves two lives at a time.