A combat-wounded Army veteran relies on his service dog for stability and mobility. Managing editor Tami Roleff says he’s now asking for prayers for the golden retriever who has undergone an emergency surgery and now chemo for cancer…
Prair is a 9-year-old golden retriever who is a familiar sight at the bowling alleys in Yucca Valley and on board the Combat Center, where her owner, Chris Petrie, volunteers his time to help run the junior bowling program. Petrie said his doctor told him after he was injured in Operation Iraqi Freedom to get a dog to help him get around, which is how he ended up with Prair.
“My doctor told me I needed to use her instead of my cane…. She helps me when I fall in the lanes; she’s essential.”
But their lives were turned upside down about two months ago when Prair needed emergency surgery for cystic mucosal hyperplasia and was diagnosed with B-cell lymphoma at the same time. She had to have her surgery before she could start treatment for the lymphoma.
After Prair started chemo, Petrie semi-retired her, but that didn’t last long.
“She’s sad, she’s not going to work and the vet said put her back to work after two days; there’s no reason for her to stay home. A day after chemo usually she’s going everywhere with me again.”
Petrie said the canine oncologist has given him a discount because Prair is a service dog, but the bills for her surgery and her chemo treatment are still expected to cost about $12,000. The bowling alleys have held raffles to raise money to go toward her chemo, and a friend set up a GoFundMe account.
“I didn’t even know about the GoFundMe account. Being military, I really don’t ask for help; I just go and do it and figure out a way to do it. I’d just like to thank everybody for their donations and thoughts and prayers.”
