(KMOV.com) – An Illinois soldier who was wounded during his 2008 tour in Iraq has found a new friend in his dog, Panzer.
Brad Schwarz was ten days away from his scheduled rotation home from a 15-month deployment when the Humvee he was riding in was struck by and improvised explosive device. Of the five soldiers riding in the vehicle, Schwarz was the only one to survive.
Schwarz now suffers from post-traumatic stress disorder. In addition to suffering from PTSD, he has memory loss related to traumatic brain injury. He is also forced to walk with a cane due to vertebrae and nerve damage in his back and legs.
Panzer, his service dog, helps him cope with his disabilities. Panzer was trained at the Pack Leader Academy in Palos Hills, Illinois through the Paws Assisting Wounded Warriors program. So, wherever Brad goes, Panzer goes; even to Cubs games.
