Tommy’s Second Act: How a Service Dog Became His Veteran’s Guardian

There are bonds stronger than steel — and some of them are built on paws.

Hank Ford, a U.S. veteran who served in both the Marine Corps and the Army, found his peace again when he was paired with Tommy, a Labrador retriever trained by the nonprofit Dogs Inc.

But Tommy did more than ease Hank’s PTSD… he saved his life. Not once — twice.

When Hank first got Tommy in September 2023, his PTSD had made day-to-day life feel heavy and isolating.

His world had shrunk to his home, and even simple tasks felt overwhelming. Then came Tommy — gentle, alert, and patient.

Their bond formed fast. Hank says that in many ways, Tommy was training him, learning what he needed, and showing up faithfully every day.

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With Tommy by his side, Hank slowly re-engaged with life.

He began leaving his house more, rediscovering the world around him, and reclaiming a sense of purpose.

That part — healing — was life-changing in itself. But the real hero moment came in February 2025.

One night, Tommy woke Hank abruptly. The dog wasn’t calm; his behavior was “out of character.”

He pawed at Hank, nudged his chest, and climbed on him — intense, urgent, insistent. At first, Hank thought Tommy needed to go outside.

But when they stepped into the fresh air, the veteran realized that he was in trouble: his heart was racing, and he felt dizzy.

Something was very, very wrong.

Hank rushed himself to the hospital. There, doctors diagnosed him with atrial fibrillation (AFib) — a serious heart arrhythmia.

If left untreated, AFib can lead to strokes.

According to his medical team, Tommy’s alertness and persistence probably prevented a potentially life-threatening event.

In their words, without Tommy, Hank “could have had a massive stroke — or worse, not woken up at all.”

For Hank, that day was more than a medical scare. It was confirmation. Tommy wasn’t just a support dog; he was a guardian.

Hank told his trainer at Dogs Inc. that the match they made was more than fortunate — it was fate.

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Now, Hank’s life has a new rhythm. He works part-time, he’s more active, and he’s deeply invested in his relationship with Tommy.

Their trust, built on years of training and shared moments, has saved a life.

And the experience has changed Hank’s perspective: he encourages other veterans living with PTSD or health struggles to consider service dogs.

He knows firsthand how transformative they can be.

Tommy’s story also raises awareness about the critical role service dogs can play — beyond emotional support, many of them pick up on subtle signs of medical danger.

Their training helps, but it’s their devotion, their attentiveness, and their bond with their person that make life-saving moments possible.

At its heart, this is a story about healing, loyalty, and deep connection.

It’s about how, sometimes, a dog isn’t just a companion — he’s a second chance. Tommy gave Hank more than support.

He gave him life — twice over.