Arizona nonprofits pair veterans living with PTSD or TBI with canine companions

PHOENIX (AZFamily) — We all know that veterans sacrifice so much for our country, so it’s Something Good when one Valley woman is gifted with a canine companion to help her.

Meet Army veteran Raychelle Salter and her service dog, Riot. The match is all thanks to the Fulton Homes Operation K-9 Companion Program.

The program, which is in its fourth year, pairs a newly trained service dog with a military veteran living with post-traumatic stress disorder or a traumatic brain injury.

Fulton Homes partners with Peoria-based nonprofit Soldier’s Best Friend and radio station BIG 94.5 to give rescued service dogs the training they need, so they can help improve the life of a deserving veteran like Salter.

Mick Milem, the executive director with Soldier’s Best Friend, said the canine companions have “specific tasks” to help their veterans mitigate their symptoms, like watching their back to help the veterans feel comfortable in public places.

Salter, who served for six years in the Army as part of Operation Enduring Freedom, recently started her training with Riot.

“I now have the opportunity to have the assistance of Riot, especially when I’m being triggered due to my PTSD,” she said. “I have that extra assistance in my life that I didn’t have before.”

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