Recently, there has been an increase in the number of training centers available for dogs that service wounded veterans. These animals can provide assistance when a veteran is familiarizing himself or herself with a new prosthetic and give comfort to veterans coping with post-traumatic stress disorder, among many other talents. One former servicemember bonded so closely with his service animal that he used the dog as a best man in his wedding.
U.S. Army veteran Justin Lansford lost his leg to an improvised explosive device in Afghanistan in 2012. ABC News reported that when he returned home, Lansford adopted Gabe, a Golden Retriever that was trained at Warrior Canine Connection. He and the dog grew very close, and when it came time for Lansford to choose a best man, his first thought was Gabe.
At the Oct.3 ceremony, Gabe was dressed up in doggie-fitted dress blues and perched at the end of the aisle next to Lansford, according to USA Today. The service dog was perfectly behaved during the entire event.
Brad Hall, a photographer at the wedding, told USA Today, "[Gabe] was easy, quite frankly, a lot easier than we typically see with groomsmen at most weddings."
Gabe helped Lansford propose to his now-wife a year ago, and the couple said it felt right having him be included in the day.