Program trains service dogs, pairs them with vets

STERLING HEIGHTS, Mich. (FOX 2) - Matthew McMurray had his dog Sandy for 12 years before he had to put her down. As an Iraq war vet with PTSD, saying goodbye to his companion wasn't easy. 

"That was the hardest thing I ever had to do," McMurrary said. "After that, then I just started to become hopeless."

It took a long time for him to realize that losing his dog was a component of his depression. That's when he met Cobalt, a member of the Guardian Angel's Medical Service Dogs, a program that helps pair service animals with veterans and first responders who suffer from PTSD.

The ringing statistic that 22 veterans commit suicide everyday is evidence of the necessity for programs like this. 

Now, another dog is getting trained: Sterling. Being raised in Sterling Heights, community activists are hoping to raise $25,000 to help train the dog. The money would go to a good cause however, with proof in Cobalt and his new relationship with Matthew. 

Since joining together in November, things have gotten better every day.

"Oh he's an extension of my body," McMurray said. "Where I go, he goes."

You can get more information about the guardian angel folks here: https://www.sterling-heights.net/guardianangels