A very unexpected reunion! (Video)

Dogs are amazing animals. Not only do they have distinct personalities and unwavering loyalty to their owners, but they can actually help those who are suffering medically and need to improve. Service dog Pax is no exception. When Iraq war veteran Bill Campbell returned home to the United States, he was in a dark place. During his service he suffered a traumatic brain injury that resulted in him receiving full disability. His post-combat stress was so much that the now 47-year old could barely leave his home in Washington State. His family was concerned about his state of mind and his quality of life going forward. When Pax was paired with veteran Bill Campbell, he turned life around for the brave former soldier and gave him the emotional strength he needed to move forward.

Luckily, their minds were put at ease when Bill received Pax, a fully trained PTSD service dog. The loyal Labrador was able to give Bill the emtional strength to move on with his life in a way that he couldn’t had imagined when he first returned home. But Bill would soon discover that he was not the only person Pax had helped along the road to recovery. Bill was so grateful for Pax and the two bonded so deeply that Bill wanted to meet the trainer who molded Pax into the kind service animal he loved so much. So Bill and Pax made the journey to Bedford Hills Women Correctional Facility. When they reached the facility it was clear that Pax knew exactly where he was. Even more than that, he couldn’t wait for the reunion with his old friend. His tail was wagging non-stop and his joyous eyes were darting around on the look out for his former trainer, a woman named Laurie Kellogg.

“He gave me a sense of freedom”

The reunion was far more unpredictable than anyone involved could have imagined. Pax was able to spy Laurie out for a run in the prison grounds. He darted away and showered Laurie with kisses. After the emotional reunion, Laurie, who was given Pax three weeks after her father died, explained the impact he had on her. “I too had P.T.S.D. after years of domestic violence. I too had flashbacks,” she told Bill. “Pax knew, and he let me know I wasn’t there — I was here. I knew he would make someone feel safe. He made me feel a sense of freedom in a place I was supposed to feel anything but.”  The reunion is unlike any other I’ve seen. Just listen to what this pup’s trainer says about him. Watch the video to see the tearful reunion for yourself.