My name is Tina J. Lavallee. I served 11years, 10 months, and 26 days in the United States Army.

While on serving my country I suffered a Traumatic Brain Injury and a Spinal Cord Injury which left me permanently wheelchair bound. I have sporadic panful muscle spasms, seizures and no left peripheral vision in both eyes. My injuries left me depressed and hopeless.

A fellow Veteran introduced me to the owners of Övervaka Vänner. After my interview with them I received a service dog named Leonidas, AKA: Leon.

Leon is a true working dog and will do anything to help me. He helps with picking up anything I drop or cannot pick up alone, pulls me in my wheelchair when my arms get tired, helps remove my clothes, braces, and shoes, opens any door by pushing or pulling, turns lights on and off, can alert me to a seizure before I have one, will get help if I fall out of my wheelchair, pulls my wheelchair to me, carries his own grocery bag and puts it in the van, and the list goes on.

There are no more long days at home because I don't have someone to help me. Now I am off doing things for myself with the help of my trusty companion, Leon. My life has drastically improved both mentally and physically. Leonidas isn't just my service dog. He is my independence!