Paul, a former Sergeant with the U.S. Army’s JSOC during the Persian Gulf War, later faced his toughest battle: not overseas, but at home.
When Paul reached out to us, he was facing a battle he never expected. A U.S. Army veteran who served in the Persian Gulf War with the Joint Special Operations Command (JSOC), Paul had spent his early life relying on strength, discipline, and purpose.
But in May 2022, he was diagnosed with Multiple Sclerosis.
Over the next year, his mobility declined rapidly. Simple tasks became difficult. His balance became unreliable. He began to lean heavily on a cane just to move through daily life. For someone who had spent his life standing tall, this shift was more than physical , it was emotional.
Paul wasn’t ready to give up his independence.
He’d seen firsthand how service dogs could help. His wife’s boss, also living with MS, had been paired with a Great Dane trained for balance support, and it had changed her life. Paul already loved the breed, he and his wife had two Danes of their own, so when they heard about Northeast Canine, it felt like the right path forward.
“It just made sense,” Paul said. “We knew the breed. We’d seen what they could do. And when we found Northeast Canine, everything clicked.”
From his first conversation with our team, Paul said he felt seen and supported. Our pairing process starts with a detailed questionnaire, followed by relaxed video interviews , nothing high-pressure, just honest conversations to understand the needs of the person and the strengths of our dogs.
"Meg and Devin were sweet, straight-shooters. They explained the expectations clearly."
Then came Porter. A towering, intuitive Great Dane from our “Hall of Famers” litter, Porter wasn’t just trained, he was ready for service. When the team arrived at Paul’s home in Arkansas, it didn’t take long for the connection to form. Porter walked straight up to Paul and leaned in, calm and grounded. Within minutes, he was a part of the family, fitting in seamlessly with the couple’s two other Danes.
That early spark quickly deepened into a powerful partnership. Porter began supporting Paul’s balance, helping him navigate his property and daily life with more confidence and independence. With Porter by his side, Paul no longer relied on his cane. What had been slipping away, his ability to move freely and safely, started to return.
The impact wasn’t just physical. It was emotional. For someone whose identity had been shaped by strength, mobility, and service, having that restored was everything.
Since their pairing, Porter has become more than just a service dog. He’s become Paul’s lifeline.
“He’s kept me on my feet. I’m able to walk with his assistance, and that has helped my mental health more than I can explain.”
Our Great Danes aren’t just trained, they’re raised to serve. From the day they’re born, each pup is guided through our program with one goal: to become a lifeline for someone who’s sacrificed for others.
Porter found his match. Paul found his balance.
We are forever grateful to Judy Franchi for her generous support as Porter’s sponsor on his journey to becoming a fully certified Service Dog. Because of you, Porter was able to train, grow, and ultimately change a life. Thank you, Judy!
It takes 18 months and nearly $30,000 to prepare a dog like Porter, but our recipients never pay a cent. They’ve already paid with their service. Your support makes these life-changing partnerships possible, ensuring that freedom, mobility, and dignity never come with a price tag.
