A quadriplegic veteran is now bonding with her service dog, thanks to the generosity of Villagers.
Villagers for Veterans raised $10,000 to purchase the service dog for Pam Kelly, who served as an Army medic for 17 years until a training accident crushed her spine and severely injured her head and shoulders. She is a quadriplegic and has some mobility in her left arm.
A breakfast event at Evans Prairie Country Club served as the primary fundraiser to purchase the service dog.
New Horizons Service Dogs provided the golden retriever named, Bonsai.
A disabled vet who was at the breakfast event had recommended the organization to Marie Bogdonhoff, head of Villagers for Veterans.
New Horizons Service Dogs founder Janet Severt, also a quadriplegic, expedited Kelly’s application for a service dog.
Bogdonoff was there when Kelly got Bonsai.
“They bonded as soon as they saw each other. The transformation in Pam is nothing short of miraculous,” Bogdonoff said.