Neighbor admits shooting Vietnam Veteran's PTSD therapy dog

Man admits fatally shooting neighbor's therapy dog

The Associated Press
April 30th 2020

Stroemel used an air rifle to shoot Toby, a 9-year-old Pomeranian-poodle mix, after the dog was escaped from his owner's home Sept. 17. The dog's owner is a Vietnam War veteran, and family members have said the animal helped relieve his post-traumatic stress disorder.

MAPLE SHADE, N.J. (AP) - A man who fatally shot his neighbor’s therapy dog last year has pleaded guilty to animal cruelty, authorities said.

William Stroemel, 64, of Maple Shade, also pleaded guilty Wednesday to a weapons possession count as part of a plea deal with Burlington County prosecutors. They will recommend that he receive a five-year state prison term when he's sentenced July 29.

Stroemel used an air rifle to shoot Toby, a 9-year-old Pomeranian-poodle mix, after the dog was escaped from his owner's home Sept. 17. The dog's owner is a Vietnam War veteran, and family members have said the animal helped relieve his post-traumatic stress disorder.
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Female veteran with PTSD from sexual assault rejected 11 times for service dog!

Service dog helps military sexual assault survivor

News 5
By: Alexandra Koehn
February 23, 2020

"I received 11 rejection letters from programs across the country because my PTSD came from military sexual assault and not from combat. With every one of those rejection letters, it felt more and more crushing." Stefanie Marvin-Miller

MURFREESBORO, Tenn. (WTVF) — A military sexual assault survivor said a service dog has helped her heal from post traumatic stress disorder.

Stefanie Marvin-Miller was the first female in her family to serve our country, but that service led to a dark time in her life.

"In January of 2016, I was the victim of a violent sexual assault by another service member," Marvin-Miller said, "Military sexual assault, PTSD is very intense. It’s very real, and it’s valid. It’s a real problem."

Dealing with the impact of the traumatic event has been hard.

"It was a very difficult thing to do, and to speak up for, and say that happened," Marvin-Miller said, "For me specifically, it will be disassociating, so going back into a memory, and not feeling like I’m in the present anymore, or connected to the present."

She decided to apply for a service dog that would be capable of getting her to a safe place during an episode.

"I received 11 rejection letters from programs across the country because my PTSD came from military sexual assault and not from combat," Marvin-Miller said, "With every one of those rejection letters, it felt more and more crushing."
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After 3 tours together, Marine veteran had to lay paw-brother to rest

Marine Dog With Cancer Gets Emotional Farewell

IHeartDogs
by Molly Weinfurter

“My whole adult life I’ve had Cena. When I was 19 overseas learning how to be responsible, I had Cena. And now I’m 27 and I’m having to say goodbye to one of the biggest pieces of my life.” Jeff DeYoung

Losing a dog is one of the hardest things a person can go through. After all, dogs are there for us through every step of the way, so they deserve to be honored. This is exactly how Marine Corporal Jeff DeYoung felt when he learned that his beloved dog, Cena, was diagnosed with terminal bone cancer. Not only had Cena been his loyal companion, but they had also served 3 tours overseas together.

Cena and DeYoung’s Bond
Cena and DeYoung had been together for a long time. In 2009, DeYoung was first paired with Cena, who was a talented bomb-sniffing dog. The pair grew very close during that time, and they protected each other through the most difficult parts of their service.

In 2014, Cena retired from his duties, and DeYoung decided to adopt him. From there, Cena became his service dog to help him with his post-traumatic stress disorder.

Cena always knew how to cheer DeYoung up, so he was the perfect companion. The two were inseparable from that moment on. Cena even helped DeYoung through some of the hardest moments in his life, including the 3 weeks where 7 of his friends passed away.

“We may not have been the same species, but we were most definitely brothers.” Jeff DeYoung

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Vietnam Vets Gifted Service Dogs For Christmas After 50-Year Wait

‘It’s Just Incredible’: Vietnam Vets Gifted Service Dogs For Christmas After 50-Year Wait

CBS News New York
December 24, 2019

“The PTSD is overwhelming,” Thumm told CBS2’s Charlie Cooper. “There are times where I am so depressed and there are times when I have flashbacks. There are times when I just don’t know where I am. The night terrors, the nightmares.”

NESCONSET, N.Y. (CBSNewYork) — Two Long Island Vietnam Veterans were gifted with life changing animals on Tuesday, just in time for Christmas.
Larry Keating and Bill Thumm both have waited 50 years to receive a service dog.

“I had a drug problem. I had an alcohol problem. I had an attitude problem. I had PTSD [post-traumatic stress disorder], none of which was treated,” Keating said. “I did get clean and sober 10 years later.”

“The PTSD is overwhelming,” Thumm told CBS2’s Charlie Cooper. “There are times where I am so depressed and there are times when I have flashbacks. There are times when I just don’t know where I am. The night terrors, the nightmares.”

No longer will they have to suffer in silence thanks to Paws of War and Unsung Siblings Foundation gifting them with partially trained service dogs. Their new owners will finish the job in the next year.

Paws of War rescues and trains dogs to become service and therapy pets. They’re then matched with veterans and given to them for free.

“Task training could be anything from a medical alert,” said Paws of War co-founder Robert Messeri. “It could be something where we design a bedspread to have a ball on it to pull the bedspread off the individual when he’s having night traumas.”
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Luis Carlos Montalvan beloved service dog Tuesday passed away at 13

Service dog whose story raised awareness of PTSD has died

The Associated Press
By: Pat Eaton-Robb
September 24, 2019

Montalvan took his own life in 2016. He had left Tuesday with family members and the dog was not with him at the time.

HARTFORD, Conn. — A service dog that was the subject of several books by an Iraq war veteran who suffered from post-traumatic stress disorder has died.

In this Dec. 16, 2016, photo, Tuesday, a golden retriever, poses in Bethel, Conn. (Cyrus McCrimmon/Educated Canines Assisting with Disabilities via AP)

Tuesday, a golden retriever, was 13 when he died Tuesday in Burlington, according to Educated Canines Assisting with Disabilities, a service dog training organization that places dogs with veterans.

Tuesday gained fame touring the country with former Army Capt. Luis Carlos Montalvan, who wrote the memoir “Until Tuesday: A Wounded Warrior and the Golden Retriever Who Saved Him.”

The book, the first of four written by Montalvan about his life with Tuesday, became a bestseller in 2011. It was credited with helping raise awareness of PTSD and the availability of service dogs for veterans.

Montalvan was a decorated veteran, who was wounded in Iraq and earned two Bronze Stars and a Purple Heart.

After he came home, his extreme PTSD often prevented him from even leaving his apartment, said Dale Picard, co-founder and executive director of ECAD.
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Vietnam veteran has PTSD battle buddy with wet nose

'I feel alive inside again': Vietnam veteran gets service dog

KGW8
Author: Ashley Korslien
September 10, 2019

Northwest Battle Buddies is pairing its 100th veteran with a service dog.

BATTLE GROUND, Wash. — The Battle Ground-based nonprofit Northwest Battle Buddies started seven years ago, training dogs to get partnered with veterans. This month it hit a huge milestone: pairing its 100th veteran with a service dog.

“It’s not just 100 service dogs that we’ve provided, we are talking about 100 lives, 100 families, fathers, sons, brothers,” said NWBB President Shannon Walker. "The impact to the community and to the individual is so significant. I’m super excited, it’s a big accomplishment."

The 100th team consists of Vietnam veteran Jim Koch, of Everett, Washington, and his service dog Bomber, an 18-month-old English Cream Golden Retriever.

“Everything feels pretty cool to be honest. I’m just on fire,” Koch said about being the 100th team.

Koch learned about Northwest Battle Buddies through his psychiatrist at the Seattle V.A. hospital, who told him a service animal could greatly help with his PTSD.
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Montel Williams putting dogs "Forever In My Heart"

Montel Williams to headline gala for Middletown charity that gives vets free service dogs

Middletown Press
By Press Staff
September 4, 2019

“His work and devotion to military and veteran community matches the mission of our foundation,” Alicki said of Williams, who is hosting a new season of “Military Makeover with Montel,” a reality show focused on rebuilding houses and lives of military and veterans families.

MIDDLETOWN — A charity gala to benefit the Middletown-based Forever In My Heart Foundation will be held Sept. 28 at the Foxwoods Resort Casino Grand Pequot Ballroom.

The event, which features Montel Williams as celebrity guest speaker, will run from 5 to 10 p.m.

“Forever In My Heart Foundation was founded to make an impact in the lives of homeless dogs in animal shelters and disabled U.S. veterans in our communities,” Alicki said.

Heidi Voight from NBC Connecticut will emcee the evening, and Los Angeles-based Dr. Barbara J. Gitlitz, who “is devoted to changing laws and protecting animals against cruelty and abuse,” are also expected to attend, according to foundation founder and president Mira Alicki, owner of Mira’s Jewelry Designs at 476 Main St.

The event will include live entertainment, food prepared by Foxwoods’ executive chef and dancing. Proceeds will go toward the foundation’s mission to save dogs in shelters and improve lives of Connecticut’s disabled veterans, according to Alicki.
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OEF OIF veteran lost job as Police Officer because of PTSD Service Dog

Man claims he's being discriminated against because of PTSD and service dog

KMVT 11 News
By Garrett Hottle
Aug 09, 2019

Thompson said his PTSD is the reason he's not a police officer anymore. But that things have recently gotten better, thanks to the addition of his service dog, Ziva. Thompson said he could tell she would make a huge difference in his life, from one of the first times they met.

SHOSHONE, Idaho (KMVT/KSVT) A military veteran and former police officer in the Magic Valley, believes he's experiencing discrimination in his search for employment because of his service dog.

Former police offer and veteran Michael Thompson explains how his service dog Ziva helps him cope with PTSD. Michael Thompson is a Shoshone resident who previously worked for the Bellevue and Shoshone police departments. Prior to that, he served in the U.S. Military and saw combat during the invasion of Iraq.

"I did the initial invasion for Iraq," Thompson said. "We were the group that was embedded with special forces that jumped into north Iraq and worked our way south."

Thompson has lived in Buhl most of his life and his time in the military was a big change for him, especially going overseas.

"I went from small town kid to a gunner in a High Mobility Multipurpose Wheeled Vehicle (HMMWV), where we were actually fighting and taking over areas as we worked our way south," Michael said.
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Hampton Inn told veteran PTSD is not a disability because of service dogs

Veteran says he was kicked out of hotel for having a service dog: 'PTSD isn’t a disability'

Yahoo Lifestyle
Paulina Cachero
July 1, 2019

“The night manager said PTSD isn’t a disability and we don’t allow emotional support animals because we’re not pet friendly,” Nic recalls. “We educated her on ADA regulations and showed her that PTSD is an ADA certified condition.”

After serving 13 years in the Marine Corps, including four deployments overseas, Nicholas “Nic” Day is “proud to have served my country and I would do it all again in a heat beat” — no matter the costs to himself. However, as a veteran now afflicted with post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) from his time in the armed forces, Nic never expected that the civil rights he fought so hard to protect would be “abused” after he was kicked out of a hotel for his PTSD service dog.

“I feel like I was discriminated against because I have PTSD,” Nic tells Yahoo Lifestyle. “A lot of people don’t understand that there’s a difference between an emotional support dog and a service dog.” Nic was first diagnosed with PTSD — a mental health condition considered a disability under the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) — around 2008, while he was still on active duty.

Nic’s condition makes it difficult for him to be in large crowds and unfamiliar places, as they often trigger anxiety attacks. After trying the full range of treatments for his PTSD with little to no success, Nic finally decided to try getting a service dog. “I had from medication to meditation and nothing was working. I figured let’s try a service dogs and let’s see how that works,” says Nic.

A loyal, four-legged companion turned out to be exactly what the former marine needed to help mitigate his PTSD symptoms. He trained his current service dog, Atlas, to paw at him or jump and give him a hug if he “gets too worked up,” and to trail right behind him to make sure no one creeps up on him from behind. “As a marine, we’ve always had someone there to watch our backs and are always working with other marines. Having Atlas at my side all the time gives me the same sense of security,” Nic says of the 1-year-old Akita.

“Failing to accept new information or correct information and blowing it off in my opinion is just ignorant,” Nic says. “My goal is to educate not only the hotel but other businesses about the differences between an emotional support animal and service dogs.”

Nic tells Yahoo Lifestyle that he and his wife, Tina, were taking a long over-due vacation and planned to stop by Medford, Ore., to attend his nephew’s high school graduation. The couple made reservations at the local Hampton Inn, and allegedly informed the hotel that they would be bringing their service dogs, Ares and Atlas.read it here

Emotional support and trained service animals can provide wellness and healing

Canine Companions Offer Love and Support to Returning Vets

NBC 4 News
By Mario Solis
Published Jul 7, 2019

Emotional support and trained service animals can provide wellness and healing for veterans struggling with mental health or physical disabilities.

"Just seeing them have a sense of belonging with these dogs, and with the people who have helped them get to that point, it just creates a whole new type of community," said Natasha Smith, the executive director of Canine Companions LTD.

Canine Companion Daisy sits ready and waiting.

More than a quarter of men and women who have served in the armed forces find it difficult to return to civilian life, according to a study by the Pew Research Center. In these cases, emotional support and trained service animals can provide wellness and healing for veterans struggling with mental health or physical disabilities.

Canine Companions LTD. is a nonprofit organization that connects specialized dogs with veterans in need. The program operates out of the eighth floor of the Dream Center, a faith-based charitable organization in Silver Lake, to aid returning servicemen and women as they transition back into civilian life.

According to the organization's website, the program's mission is to provide veterans with a marketable skill so that they can train dogs to provide emotional, mental and physical support to future veteran owners.
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Philly veteran met best friend in Florida...PTSD Service Dog named Maverick

How a very good dog named Maverick is helping a local vet escape the lingering effects of war

Philly Voice
BY BRIAN HICKEY
PhillyVoice Staff
July 2, 2019

Geoff Dempsey was haunted by things he saw in Afghanistan, but an 18-month old canine lightened his mental load

In late April, Geoff Dempsey flew from Philadelphia to Florida knowing he would soon meet his new best friend without any idea who, exactly, that was.

BRIAN HICKEY/PHILLYVOICE Geoff Dempsey said he felt an instant connection with Maverick, a black-and-tan lab who helps him escape a shell brought about by PTSD stemming from his service with the U.S. Marines in Afghanistan.

He and six other veterans – each still troubled by their time in the service – waited in line. One by one, they walked outside of K9s for Warriors headquarters in Ponte Verde for the big moment.

There, the 30-year-old, who served for five years including an eight-month tour in Afghanistan with his fellow U.S. Marines, was introduced to Maverick, a one-and-a-half-year-old black-and tan lab. They hit it off on the spot.

That connection was clearly evident when the duo arrived at Philadelphia’s Fitler Square Park two months later to talk about a non-profit program that matches veterans with “life-changing service dogs.”

In Dempsey’s case, it was all about being saddled with post-traumatic stress disorder related to his military service.

“He was licking me, sniffing me. I felt an instant connection,” he recalled with a smile on Monday morning, with Maverick at his side. “It was clear that he had a lot of love to give.
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Dog taught veteran to heal PTSD

At $20,000 a pup, service dogs bark Philly military veterans back to life

Philadephia Inquirer
by Erin Arvedlund
June 5, 2019

After he considered suicide, Curtis Thompson finally admitted that he might need help.

“I stereotyped myself. I wasn’t an old man, like in Vietnam and World War II,” says Army vet Thompson, 41, who lives in Burlington Township.

JAMES BLOCKER / STAFF PHOTOGRAPHER

Deployed to Kosovo in 1999 and three times to Iraq, Thompson was discharged honorably in 2006. He got divorced from his first wife, couch surfed, and endured panic attacks, nightmares and brief homelessness.

By 2013, he reconnected with a high school sweetheart (they have since married). She insisted he seek treatment at VA medical centers in Philadelphia and Marlton, N.J., where he was diagnosed with a traumatic brain injury and severe PTSD from his time in combat and exposure to a roadside bomb.

“My doctor said a service dog would really help, but I couldn’t afford to pay $20,000” — the going price for a fully-trained service animal that is attuned to veterans and their health issues.
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Florida veteran saved from suicide marking D Day as alive day

'We Saved the World.' Veteran saved from suicide ready to mark D-DAY's 75th

First Coast News
Author: Jeannie Blaylock
May 30, 2019

Kevin Crowell, a veteran himself, will jump from a plane in Normandy on the 75th Anniversary of D-DAY to honor his fellow veterans from 1944.

JACKSONVILLE, Fla. — Kevin Crowell stands in awe of the soldiers, paratroopers, and sailors who fought on D-DAY in Normandy. "We saved the world. We saved the world from tyranny," he says in reference to the might of the American military effort on June 6th, 1944.

Crowell says it's his time to say thank you to the young men who volunteered to fight off Hitler. "And think of this," Crowell says. "The Americans who died left their homes and left their farms and left their families and left their town to fly across a giant ocean and go serve."

Crowell is particularly focused on the paratroopers. Some 13,000 American paratroopers jumped behind enemy lines to clear the canals, bridges, and gun nests of the Germans to enable the soldiers' assault onto the Beaches.

According to Dr. Rob Citino, Senior Historian for The National World War II Museum in New Orleans, the paratroopers were critical. "They discombobulated the Germans."

Crowell is fired up about making a jump this D-DAY in a drop zone in Normandy. As a veteran member of the 82nd Airborne himself, he says he's practiced jumping in replica drop zones at Ft. Bragg. Now, in France, he'll jump into the real ones.

Crowell is also celebrating his own personal victory. He came home from Iraq to face a major struggle with PTSD. He'd seen his buddies blown up in an IED attack. He even planned a suicide attempt.

It failed, though. "I passed out and found myself the next morning. I felt it was my second chance." He says his service dog, Bella, from K9s for Warriors is a huge factor to his turning his life completely around. Bella even wore a cap and gown at Crowell's college graduation.
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Veteran saving lives because PTSD service dog saved his

Vet-founded Companions for Heroes has saved 3,300+ from suicide with shelter animal program

American Military News
LAURA WIDENER AND MELISSA LEON
May 20, 2019

"I got pissed at God,” Sharpe told American Military News of his friend’s suicide

.

Jason Sturm and "Sassy" paired by Companions For Heroes. (Companions for Heroes/Facebook)

Veteran suicide is no stranger to David Sharpe, an Air Force veteran and founder of Companions for Heroes, a nonprofit that helps American heroes by providing them a trained service animal rescued from a shelter, free of charge.

Losing his own two close friends to suicide and nearly taking his own life set him on a mission to reach struggling veterans like himself nearly 10 years ago.

Sharpe was struggling with the death of his friends and incidents during his Middle East deployments with the U.S. Air Force Security Forces, which included coming face to face with a Taliban sympathizer’s weapon.

“I got a 45 pistol, charged it and put the barrel in my mouth, as I’m squeezing the trigger, my rescue Pit bull walked through the door,” he explained.
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Rachael Ray surprised Gulf War veteran for service dog program

Rachael Ray surprises Glassboro vet who started service dog program for other vets

Cherry Hill Courier-Post
Carol Comegno
May 16, 2019

Ray stunned Eberle, a Desert Storm veteran with post-traumatic stress disorder, with the $7,000 needed to finish the Paws Healing Heroes training facility on a Williamstown farm. The money comes courtesy of Petmate, which also provided 100 leashes and collars for the program.

GLASSBORO – TV star Rachael Ray shocked U.S. Army veteran Mark Eberle of Glassboro when her staff called to invite him and his service dog Batman to be special guests on a show segment set to air Friday

When Eberle arrived at the studio recently for taping of the "Rachael Ray Show," she had even more surprises. Ray showered him with gifts for helping other veterans through his nonprofit Paws Healing Heroes, a program to rescue, train and provide service dogs to disabled veterans in need like himself.
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Veterans take "paws" for fighting PTSD

Four veterans take home their newly graduated ‘battle buddy’

Northwest Daily News
By Kaylin Parker
Posted May 11, 2019

NICEVILLE — Before Rocky came into his life in January, Tom Talbot, retired Air Force crew chief, struggled through his post traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) nightmares alone.

But now Talbot has Rocky, a service dog and loyal companion, that senses and smells when his owner is battling with the effects from PTSD. Talbot said Rocky will even wake him up when he’s having nightmares.

“That’s where that bond is. He knows if something is wrong with me,” Talbot said. “He’s like, ‘What’s going on? What’s a matter Dad?’ ”

Talbot was medically retired last year because of his PTSD. He said although he has a pet dog at home, the bond with Rocky is completely different.

“The first night he came home with me he jumped up on the bed, and that was it,” Talbot said.
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Veteran kicked out of bar because of service dog?

Indianapolis man denied entry to concert because of service dog

East Texas Matters
By: Staff Reports
Posted: Mar 27, 2019

INDIANAPOLIS, IN - An Indianapolis man is calling for change after he was turned away from attending a concert because of his service animal.

The bar doesn't allow animals; however, the law says the man and his dog should have been let in. According to the Americans with Disabilities Act, anywhere the general public is allowed, so are service animals.

That is what Thomas Jordan was trying to explain before him, his dog, and his fiancé were asked to leave 8 Seconds Saloon, a nightclub at 111 N. Lynhurst Drive.

Thomas Jordan is an Army veteran who suffers from post-traumatic stress disorder and a traumatic brain injury. That is why anywhere Jordan goes, his service dog, Luka, follows.

"So, if I am having a panic attack, he will apply pressure on me try to ground me, bring me back to where I need to be. He also does medication reminders and reminds me of my heart rate and my blood pressure. If they get elevated, he will alert me to that to take my meds as well," Jordan said.

Jordan trained Luka himself, which, according to ADA Indiana, isn't too unusual.

"I take Luka in because he is medical equipment. Essentially, he is a wheelchair, he is an oxygen tank, he is a pacemaker. I mean, if you can think of a piece of medical equipment, that is what Luka is. So if I want to go somewhere, Luka has to go with me," Jordan said.

He had bought tickets to a concert at 8 Seconds Saloon, but the operators do not allow animals inside the building.

"They turned us away because we had a service dog. We explained to them, 'Hey this is a service dog, by law it is allowed to be in here. Here is the ADA law on in.'"
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Morgan Watt has relied on dogs to save his life many times

He relied on dogs in the Air Force to save his life. As a veteran, he’s relying on one again

Bradenton Herald
Sara Nealeigh
January 16, 2019

“A guide dog will stand in front of them and not let someone interfere with their personal space. A guide dog will alert them when somebody’s coming up and make them more comfortable,” said retired U.S. Army General Doug Brown, the keynote speaker for the breakfast.

Pella, a black Labrador service dog from Southeastern Guide Dogs, lays on the stage near her veteran, Sean Brown while he speaks to a crowd gathered at the Southeastern Guide Dogs Heroes Breakfast on Wednesday at the Hyatt Regency Sarasota. Sara Nealeigh snealeigh@bradenton.com

SARASOTA
Morgan Watt has relied on dogs to save his life many times.

First, in the Air Force when he was a bomb dog handler, Watt relied on the dogs to detect dangerous explosives.

“Working a bomb dog you had to be 100 percent. I always knew in that position I was expendable, and just felt like if something’s going to blow up, I want it to blow up on me and not somebody else,” Watt said.

“So that was kind of the attitude I had going into all the bomb threats and everything that I worked. It was just high stress but I was relying on my dog for my life. So coming full-circle, it was really easy to rely on my dog again for my life.”
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Veteran with PTSD Service Dog Needs Good Lawyer!

PTSD veteran claims unfair job termination

KLTV 7 ABC News
Bob Hallmark
December 9, 2018

"They had asked for proof that Ace was a service dog which we provided and provided again. Then I got an email saying I was terminated. No explanation," Jennifer says.

TYLER, TX (KLTV)

An East Texas woman, an army veteran who suffers PTSD, continues to struggle in a battle against what she says was an unfair termination from the company she worked for.

The controversy swirls around whether she was able to bring her service dog to work with her.

Jennifer Mcatee Willis of Henderson has been out of work for a month now.

In November after Willis had come back from her honeymoon, and informed her employer where she had worked for 3 years that she would start bringing her service dog 'Ace' to work with her. But that's when she says the trouble started.

"It's disturbed me in a lot of ways, the stress has gotten worse and I have nightmares almost every night," she says.

In a strange sequence, Jennifer was first notified by the company she worked for that if she brought 'Ace' to work with her, she would be terminated. After our initial story aired, she was notified she was still and employee.
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Vietnam veteran died before stolen service dog was foung

Vet died hours before he was set to be reunited with stolen service dog

By: WESH
Posted: Nov 08, 2018

Vet died hours before he was set to be reunited with stolen service dog Kira the Pomeranian, left, suspect, right. (Photo: Osceola County Sheriff's Office)

Joseph was sadly never reunited with his beloved service dog, passing away hours prior to her recovery.

OSCEOLA COUNTY, Fla. (WESH) - A veteran's stolen service dog has been recovered, hours after he passed away. Two women have been placed under arrest in Osceola County.

Authorities said detectives from Osceola County, Lake County and the Winter Garden Police Department identified Jennifer Gotschall and Monique Cosser on Wednesday.

Authorities said one of the woman got into an altercation with 67-year-old veteran Joseph Hanson last week in Kissimmee, while the other came up behind him and unleashed his dog, named Kira.
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