A dog that was running out of time has found a new life in Texas as a service dog for a U.S. Army veteran.
Just months ago, the 3-year-old German Shepard named Missy was undernourished and heartworm-positive in Lawton, Oklahoma, where she had been scheduled to be put down.
Given a second chance, Missy came to Plano Animal Services, where employee Jackie Konold saw Missy was special.
"As soon as I saw her, I opened the kennel door, and she came to me, I said 'Wow,'" Konold said. "I just knew she'd be good for Rebuilding Warriors."
Konold also works with Rebuilding Warriors, a nonprofit that gives about six service dogs a year to wounded veterans.
"Not only are we going to save a warrior, in this case, we've also saved a dog from a bad life," said Jeff Anderson, founder of Rebuilding Warriors.
On this day, Missy met her new family, including Army Sgt. Michael Barker.
Barker, a former medic, now works in physical therapy with wounded veterans. Missy will help Barker at home, and will also join him in sessions as he helps other veterans back home from war.
"I think Missy will not only provide that for me, but for other warriors still in the fight," Barker said.
