Medford, New York
Strolling in the park. Enjoying a dinner party with friends. Stopping by a local festival.
For Amber Skylar, these are not the simple joys of life, but things to avoid. Even a quick trip to the grocery store can be a monumental task.
The 57-year-old Army veteran from Virginia struggles daily with post-traumatic stress disorder, which manifests in many ways, including through anxiety and depression. But she now is considering traveling to Montana, knowing that Arbor will be by her side. Arbor is a 2-year-old retriever specially trained to help Skylar manage her PTSD.
Arbor came from Canine Companions for Independence in Medford, which provides trained dogs for children and adults with disabilities, including veterans, at no cost. This is the first time the organization has trained dogs specifically to help veterans with PTSD in its Long Island center.
Learn how you can help a team like Amber and Arbor here.
Newsday by Lisa Colangelo