Veteran Starts Non-Profit to Help Other Vets with Service Dogs
By: Kristin Anderson
Updated: January 22, 2013
"In a humorous way, he keeps me sane," said Gregor Heise.
Gregor and his service dog, Max, are together 24 hours a day, seven days a week.
"He's my battle buddy. He covers my sixth. And I cover his sixth," he explained. "And we work together that way."
You wouldn't know by looking at him, but Gregor has struggled with Post Traumatic Stress Disorder and Traumatic Brain Injury as a result of combat in Iraq. And that's where Max comes in.
"When I start having anxiety or I start feeling uncomfortable of what's around me, he starts nibbling at my hand and getting my attention so I take the attention that is around me and give it to him," Gregor said.
Now, Gregor has created an organization to help other veterans like himself. The non-profit, Vets Best Friends, will train and provide service dogs. All to stop the high rate of suicide of veterans.
"When you see a veteran, you don't know what they've gone through," Gregor said. "What I try to do is educate, open the eyes and say, 'This is what we're doing. This is why we are helping.'"
Making abilene a place known for helping its veterans.
Gregor and his service dog, Max, are together 24 hours a day, seven days a week.
"He's my battle buddy. He covers my sixth. And I cover his sixth," he explained. "And we work together that way."
You wouldn't know by looking at him, but Gregor has struggled with Post Traumatic Stress Disorder and Traumatic Brain Injury as a result of combat in Iraq. And that's where Max comes in.
"When I start having anxiety or I start feeling uncomfortable of what's around me, he starts nibbling at my hand and getting my attention so I take the attention that is around me and give it to him," Gregor said.
Now, Gregor has created an organization to help other veterans like himself. The non-profit, Vets Best Friends, will train and provide service dogs. All to stop the high rate of suicide of veterans.
"When you see a veteran, you don't know what they've gone through," Gregor said. "What I try to do is educate, open the eyes and say, 'This is what we're doing. This is why we are helping.'"
Making abilene a place known for helping its veterans.
