PONTE VEDRA, Fla. – An Oviedo veteran has a new best friend, thanks to the K9s For Warriors program.
US Navy veteran Nicholas Balzano obtained his service lab, Nate, through the Florida-based nonprofit organization that aims to serve veterans suffering from PTSD as a result from their service.
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The organization says the average veteran in the program is on 10 to 15 medications when they begin. But with help from their new furry friends, they're able to reduce or eliminate their medication when they are done with program. Both Nicholas and Nate graduated last month.
The K9 For Warriors program offers refuge for veterans who have tried several treatments with little or no success.
"I want to be more active in society and not controlled by my panic disorder anymore," said Balzano. "K9s helped me regain control of my life."
Veterans are not the only ones who are helped during this program. Some 90 percent of the dogs trained at K9s For Warriors are rescue dogs. Some were just minutes away from being euthanized when selected.
To learn more about the K9s For Warriors program, visit their website.