Army veteran gifted new service dog after tragically losing another to car accident

ATLANTA (WANF/Gray News) - More than a month after an Army veteran’s service dog was fatally struck by a car, she was surprised with a new dog that will help her persevere.

Army veteran Kerrie Porter lost her beloved service dog, Bruno, after he was struck and killed by a car in March. The dog was trained to help Porter with night terrors.

The incident led Top Dogg K9 Foundation in Lilburn, Georgia, to make a public plea for to fund the training of a replacement service dog for Porter. The veteran is legally blind and has post-traumatic stress disorder.

“When she lost her dog, it affected me because I was so worried that I could lose my veteran, my friend, and it put her in her darkest moments,” said Top Dogg K9 Founder Blake Rashad.

Montlick Injury Attorneys donated $15,000 to train a new service K-9 for Porter then surprised her with the dog, who is named Hayden.

“It is overwhelming to think that so many people could care about my progress and my ability to function as a civilian,” Porter said. “The fact that he can go everywhere with me is a big deal. Bruno went with me to three different VA facilities, and if you have ever been to the VA, it’s not a walk in the park.”

Hayden is the brother of Bruno, sharing a similar lineage of exceptional service dog potential.

“She’s here, and she’s going to stay here because of the work that we’re doing. She now has another service dog, and I think she’s going to persevere,” Rashad said.

Porter’s new service dog will be a great addition to her family, too. She has a 1-year-old daughter, Emma, and another one on the way.

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