A charity that supplies ex-military personnel with companion dogs says it needs more funding to be able to continue.
Bravehound has seen an increase in demand for its services but has been forced to freeze waiting lists due to a lack of funds.
The organisation has appealed for more help with additional funding required to guarantee its long-term future.
One of the ex-servicemen to be helped by the charity is Graham Hunter, a former Major who said his companion dog Kyrra has “given me my life back”.
Medically discharged from the Army, Graeme noticed the effects of PTSD creeping in back in 2017.
During lockdown he hit crisis point, shutting himself off from family and friends.
His wife convinced him to reach out to the charity Bravehound, who work in supplying support dogs for ex-military personnel.
Graham was matched with Kyrra, a labrador who is trained to recognise signs of stress and discomfort in people as well as carrying out tasks such as fetching medication.
She’s been able to restore his quality of life and he’s been able to return to work in the NHS.
Graham told STV News: “She can sense when I’m becoming anxious or agitated, she’ll come up and put her paws on my knee or lick my face.”
