“She’s kind of a special dog to me. When we were at the adoption center I liked her out of all the dogs,” Tre told Cincinnati’s WLWT.

When Ember was brought home as a puppy, Tre spent lots of time training her, but he had no idea just how close of a bond they would form.

In May, Ember went into parents Tony and Tracey’s room, and woke mom up by making very guttural, grumbling noises – quite uncharacteristic for the sweet dog.

“She shot down the hall and into Tre’s bathroom, so I stepped in his bathroom to tell her to come, and as I stepped in, I noticed his legs were dangling over the side of the tub and when I glanced inside the tub, he was in full seizure,” Tracey said.

Tre was rushed to the emergency room, and was later diagnosed with epilepsy.  He was fortunate to have not suffered a major head injury when he fell.

“If Ember wouldn’t have come in, I don’t know how long Tre would have laid there,” Tracey said.

In October, the family submitted their story to the Petco Foundation’s Holiday Wishes contest, where animal lovers were asked to send in a story about how an adopted pet changed their lives, in an effort to encourage others to adopt.  The winners could choose the animal welfare organization of their choice to receive a grant.

Out of 3,000 entries, the Daniels’ was one of 53 selected, and they won $10,000 for Adore-A-Bull Rescue, where Ember came from.

They’re probably even more glad that they adopted Ember, knowing that she helped a worthy rescue group win some much-needed money.

“Everywhere I go, she kind of follows me and makes me feel safe,” Tre said.

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Rescued from death row by a prison rehabilitation program designed to assist former inmates learn about how to care for themselves and someone else, and reintegrate into society, Gander is a true from rags to riches story.  Gander has been given the AKC Humane Fund Award for Canine Excellence, and has the thanks of many people that he’s helped keep alive and save over the years.

After the inmate Gander had been paired with was released back into society, she credits him with keeping her alive and focused in a truly trying time for her.  After that, gander got further training as a service dog in Colorado.  He was given then to Vietnam Vet Lon Hodge.

Hodge suffered through years of PTSD and autoimmune mobility issues.  Things like crippling depression, panic attacks and mentally reliving the horrors of war took their toll on Lon.  High blood pressure, even at rest, was also another big problem, but within two weeks of being with Gander, things were looking up.  His at rest heart rate dropped significantly from 120 beats per minute to 80.  A big success.  Now, things like social gatherings and interacting with the community are not as hard, and it’s all thanks to Gander.

Lon and Gander have started their own foundation to raise awareness about PTSD and the high rate of suicide amongst veterans.  The Service Dog Education and Assistance Foundation’s aim is to show the often life changing effects service and therapy dogs have in the lives of trauma survivors.  Together, they have been to over 300 schools, nursing homes and veteran’s gatherings spreading the word to the world.

One could say that Gander has positively affected the lives of many people.  Lon knows that every interaction Gander has with someone leaves its mark on them, the same way it did for him.  Gander hasn’t just saved his life, but many lives in this process, and Lon couldn’t be prouder of his best mate.

You can get more info on Lon and Gander by visiting their Facebook page.  You can even become friends with him there, and get updates on all of his adventures and read stories of just how awesome Gander is.  Just click here.

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