Iraq veteran training dog for disabled

Iraq veteran training dog for disabled

By Bridget DiCosmo - Southeast Missourian via Associated Press
Posted : Saturday Sep 12, 2009 10:32:00 EDT

BENTON, Mo. — Five years ago, before the arrival of a chocolate Lab named L.T., Phillip D. Sturgeon Jr.'s life was very different.

In 2004, Sturgeon, originally of Vanduser, Mo., was stationed near Baghdad as an Army medic with the 458th Engineer Battalion when a rocket-propelled grenade struck the vehicle he was in. Four of Sturgeon's patrol were killed in the blast, and he suffered broken ribs, facial fractures, serious knee and shoulder injuries and brain trauma. In addition to extensive and ongoing physical therapy required to repair his body, Sturgeon was diagnosed with post-traumatic stress disorder.

"I was just basically learning how to live life over again," said Sturgeon, 35.

It was through reconnecting with an old friend with whom he used to serve, Chris Amacker, that Sturgeon learned about Mission Continues, a St. Louis-based not-for-profit organization dedicated to helping returning war veterans discover new ways of giving back to their communities.

Sturgeon said Mission Continues staff suggested the idea of training support dogs for the disabled, and it struck a chord with him. His father had been confined to a wheelchair, and Sturgeon had also spent some time in the military working with service dogs.
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http://www.armytimes.com/news/2009/09/ap_vet_trains_dog_091209/