Inge and Lennox
Inge and Lennox share an extraordinary bond built on trust, companionship, and healing. Lennox, a dedicated service dog, not only provides vital assistance to Inge but also brings comfort and support to her husband, a Vietnam veteran coping with past traumas. Together, the trio exemplifies the profound impact a service dog can have on fostering emotional and physical well-being for veterans and their families.
How has your life changed since receiving your service dog?
It has changed tremendously, I have more confidence in myself, some of the fear has gone. I am more independent now and not always have to have my husband by my side. I got some of my old self back.
What is one thing you are able to do now that you couldn’t before receiving your dog?
I can actually go out by myself with my Lennox, little things that don’t mean much to somebody else, but for me it is a big accomplishment that I can actually go to mall with my Lennox and go into a dressing room to try on clothes. I can go out into public areas and not always have that fear because my Lennox is right there with me.
Describe your daily life with your service dog?
My Lennox is with me 24 hours. He is always by my side, he sleeps with me, which helps with the nightmares, he helps me around the house by closing doors for me, picks up things that I have dropped, very hard for me to bend down to pick things up. Ensures that I am OK all day, makes me feel relaxed, he comforts me during the day when I need it. His true love and caring for me helps me all day long.
What affect has your service dog had on the relationships in your life?
My husband who is a Vietnam Veteran has seen the change in me, he always says that he thanks God for Lennox because it has saved our relationship (married for 48 years). Lennox has calmed me down, and at he same time I can see how Lennox has helped my husband also for some of the nightmares and bad memories he as from serving 2 tours in Vietnam. So in other words our Lennox not only helps me but also my husband.
What is one thing you would tell a fellow veteran that was considering a service dog?
That the Veterans life will change, it starts from the first day on when you receive your new life partner (service dog). Put your trust in your dog, that service dog can save your life. The service dog will give you a new NORMAL life.