DETROIT LAKES — Jeff Sailer of Vergas looks like just a regular guy on a typical Wednesday, walking a cute little dog in the city park as the sound of kids, cars and squirrels whirl around them. But what makes Sailer and his companion different is that he is paying close attention to whether or not the little corgi focuses on those kids, cars and squirrels. Why? Because she's a dog on a mission — or at least she will be soon — and she needs to learn focus.

Sailer is fostering the 1 1/2-year-old corgi named Timber as he prepares her for training at the Patriot Assistance Dogs (PAD) program, which turns everyday dogs into heroes. Although Timber is a purebred, most PAD recruits are mixed breeds — pups that are often rescues themselves. They are trained to become dogs that, for veterans suf

See Full Page