The Boots Story Begins

Boots, an English Golden Retriever, was given to Ben Marich by Frank Griggs of EmpowerPups by Hero's Puppy for Life when Boots was ten weeks old. Frank is a master trainer and is training Boots as Ben's new service dog.

Ben is a 100% disabled Marine Vietnam combat veteran who suffers from PTSD, hearing loss, and other issues. Boots is being trained to be Ben's lifelong partner. Because service dogs provide an essential service to their owner, they're almost always on the job. Service dogs receive training to be alert to their owner's needs and to perform tasks. This extreme focus is why it is generally frowned upon to pet or engage with a service dog that doesn't belong to you. Unless given permission from the handler, interacting with a service dog can distract them from doing their jobs well, which might endanger their owner.

Currently, we are training "Boots" to become Ben's service dog, and the two of them will then become a therapy team, working with disabled children and veterans, veterans' hospitals and clinics, and veterans and first responders in need of canine therapy.

Follow the Boots and Ben story on Instagram at Pups4Heroes or at Pups4Heroes.com.