Dog Helps Man Heal from Freak Accident

Eighteen years ago, Lance Weir was 21 years old and a reservist in the Marine Corps. One dive into an Arkansas river he’d jumped in hundreds of times of times before, changed his life. 

"I just didn’t see a rock, water was deep enough and I hit the rock at the right angle," said Weir.

The collision left him with a spinal chord injury, paralyzing him from the chest down.

"I just kind of gave up. I didn’t care whether I lived or not," remembered Weir. "It was a hard few years in the beginning for sure." 

During his therapy, someone recommended he look into Canine Companions for Independence.

"It changed my life" said Weir, petting his second service dog, Augie. He got his first dog in 2004 and had to retire her earlier this year. He said it was one of the hardest things he’s ever had to do. 

Weir encourages anyone needing assistance to contact Canine Companions for Independence by visiting the group's website or by calling 800-572-BARK.

“It's a fabulous, fabulous organization,” he said.