It’s about a soldier named Luis Montalvan and a dog named Tuesday.
Captain Montalvan was injured during his second tour in Iraq. Traumatic Brain Injury and Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder and three fractured vertebrae are but three of the issues that he is dealing with.
You can see Captain Montalvan talk about what happened in THIS SHORT FILM produced last year. You also get to meet Tuesday and see how he helps Luis every single day deal with things like balance problems and panic attacks and nightmares. Tuesday reminds Luis to take his meds and buffers Luis from crowds that might trigger a flashback. Before Tuesday came into his life Luis rarely left his apartment and was drinking heavily. He found the lengthy battle and wait for VA help to be so frustrating that he often just gave up.
Captain Montalvan and Tuesday were brought together with the help of Senator Al Franken and EDUCATED CANINES ASSISTING DISABILITIES. Senator Franken has since passed a bill to create a pilot program that will get more service dogs paired with wounded soldiers.
Senator Franken talks about that in THIS CLIP.
I first learned of Captain Montalvan and Tuesday when they appeared ON LETTERMAN to promote THE BOOK he has written about his life with Tuesday. If you watch this clip you will immediately notice the difference in the Captain’s demeanor compared to the video shot a year ago. You also get to see Letterman beg Tuesday for a hug.
With all the soldiers languishing in a crappy VA benefits systems and with all the shelter dogs waiting for a home it seems to me this program is a win-win or as Senator Franken says - “We have to reform our system, and I know we will. My solution: more dogs.”
22 comments:
Excellent post and I saw a similar story last evening on ABC news! It's incredible the difference a dog, or pet for that matter, can make in ones life! I was so moved last night hearing about the abandoned pit bull and the man whose life he saved and continues to save every day! How wonderful animals are!! Beat the hell out of many people and all politicians!!
Sylvia
Plenty of money for the war machine but none for the injured soldiers.
It's so good to hear of this scheme. What a shame our governments don't do more for the men and women they order to dangerous conflicts.
Wonderful story. Bravo, Al Franken; kudos to Tuesday; best of luck to Captain Montalvan.
Thank you for sharing this, Dianne!
I wish all politicians were like Senator Franken, looking for caring solutions to immediate problems. It makes so much sense to train dogs from shelters to help the injured and the sick. Medical costs would go down, and the happiness factor would go up. Nobody loses, not even the dogs.
—Kay, Alberta, Canada
Great article! Those of us who love pets know the difference they make during the crisis' of life. The gift of one dog in this story made all the difference for the Captain. Thanks for this written gift you shared.
I also saw the story that Sylvia saw. The vet was getting ready to kill himself when the dog came up to him, started licking him and he changed his mind.
Wonderful post. I linked to it. If I had not gotten Bailey I would have been nuts a long time ago. Thanks again.
What an amazing and wonderful thing!
I can't wait to go home to watch the video.
I'm also quite impressed with Sen.Franken.
Faaaaaaaaaaabulous post, Dianne!
Stories like this always brings tears to my eyes, because I'm reminded of the power that animals have in helping us humans. I'm especially touched and moved when watching a see-eye dog walking down the street with its owner. I can actually FEEL the loving bond they share.
It's so touching!
Thank you for sharing both this story and the links, dear lady.
X ya!
Hello again, Dianne.
Just wanted to let you know that I watched the Letterman video and it was wonderful!!!! Thank you!
Did not know any of this (except that Al Franken is one of the good guys)...thank you for posting it. Wonderful story.
Excellent program. I hope it gets funded even privately
I just finished reading a wonderful book about a dog named Lou: "The Last Dog on the Hill," by Steve Duno. It made me realize how much difference one loving soul can provide for another. It changed the course of Steve's life. Thank you for this inspiring post.
Awesome!!!!!
Excellent story and great clips! Good job there, Al! Glad to see a politician making a direct difference in people's lives.
Great post Dianne. I had a puppy called Tuesday when I was a child. I names her after Tuesday Weld. :)
We've known Senator Franken since he was a crazy comedian and even then he had a good heart (sometimes a really loud and foul mouth) and loved animals, nothing has changed ... he still comes back to the hood when he's in town and he's still a funny caring man ..
What a great post. There is nothing like the love of a pet to make you feel better. I wish we had senators like Al Franken in Georgia – wishful thinking unfortunately – our senators are totally in the ultra red zone!
I saw that show, too, and was so moved and impressed by Tuesday and the relationship with Luis....The power of unconditional love from Animals and how smart Tuesday is in particular....I think this is a FANTASTIC program. Good for Al Franken!!! And you too, Dianne, for bringing this wonderful program to our attention.
I LOVED Letterman begging Tuesday for a hug....Very Very Sweet!
No surprise that a dog can make such a difference for someone! They are wonderful companions. Thanks for sharing this - I hadn't heard about this program before.
Oh yes, I saw this on Letterman the other night. What a wonderful, helpful program. And a beauty of a pooch.
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