Service Dog Saves Veteran’s Life After Sensing Dangerous Heart Condition

Every Wednesday on a Fort Lupton, Colorado, golf course, veteran Hank Ford serves as a marshal—never alone, always with his loyal service dog, Tommy. But to Ford, Tommy is far more than a companion. He’s a hero who saved his life.

Ford, a 20-year military veteran who served in Desert Storm, Bosnia, and Operation Iraqi Freedom, has spent years battling post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD). After returning from his final deployment in Iraq, the toll became unbearable, ultimately forcing him into early retirement. “I was in a really dark place,” Ford recalled.

Then came Tommy.

Two and a half years ago, Dogs Inc., a service dog training organization, matched Ford with Tommy. Their connection was instant. “He wasn’t t

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