Service dog lends war veteran a helping paws

Service dog lends war veteran a helping paw
Longmont Times-Call
By Whitney Bryen
POSTED:02/16/2014

Afghanistan war veteran Jesse Murphree gets help from his service dog, Jasper, as the Niwot High School graduate copes with PTSD.
(Lewis Geyer, Longmont Times-Call)

For the first time since returning from Afghanistan, former Army Cpl. Jesse Murphree has found a partner that is just as alert as he is — his service dog, Jasper.

Since coming home wounded from his deployment in 2007, Murphree said, he is constantly looking around, surveying his surroundings. Now, he has an extra pair of eyes.

"I have a partner," Murphree, 26, said of his 2-year-old German shepherd. "It's the same idea as having a battle buddy in the field watching your back."

The comfort and assistance that Jasper provides is priceless to Murphree, a Niwot High School graduate who lost his legs in December 2007 when his unit was attacked. But that doesn't make the $6,000 bill any more affordable for the veteran.

A canine companion was out of reach for Murphree before Niwot resident Kurt Miller got involved.

Miller, who founded the nonprofit and film production company Make a Hero, launched a fundraiser in the fall to get Murphree a service dog. Miller is hoping this weekend's debut at the Boulder International Film Festival of a movie featuring Murphree will spur interest in Murphree's story and boost donations, contributing to the remaining $2,500 needed to pay Jasper's bill.
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