Success Story

Paws for Purple Hearts serves Warriors like, Major Duncan Smith, US Army (ret.), who suffered devastating injuries to his back and right arm while serving his country overseas. As with many wounded heroes, Major Smith found himself contending with the formidable inward-focused mission of recovering, isolated, and without his support system. It would be a long uphill battle, both physically and mentally.

As part of his mission to regain health and strength, Duncan joined a recreational therapy program. This is where, in April of 2019, he found Paws for Purple Hearts’ innovative Canine-Assisted Warrior Therapy® program. 

When he arrived at the first Canine-Assisted Warrior Therapy® session, Duncan wasn’t sure what to expect. He was surprised to find that this amazing therapy was about more than just petting dogs. The program was beneficial for him both mentally and physically. Touching the dogs soothed the nerve dysfunction that had caused him never-ending discomfort. Reinforcing their training gave him a new mission and renewed purpose. The knowledge that he was helping prepare a dog for placement with a fellow wounded Service Member or Veteran made participation more purposeful and gave him back a small piece of his former self.