Osceola County veteran given puppy as emotional support pet

OSCEOLA COUNTY, Fla. — A local Army veteran was surprised this week with a Belgian Malinois puppy.

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Holzerland Protection Dogs gifted the puppy to Keith Lynch as an emotional support pet.

Photos: Osceola County veteran given puppy as emotional support pet

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Osceola County veteran given puppy as emotional support pet

Lynch served for four years and was deployed to Macedonia.

Read: Florida center says ‘Grey Team’ technology, exercise help veterans overcome PTSD and other ailments

He said he was inspired by his father and brother who also served.

Lynch received his surprise at the Osceola County Corrections Department where he’s worked for 16 year.

Watch: UCF therapy center developing new virtual reality treatment for PTSD

“I had no idea,” Lynch said. “We’ve been working with Marsock and Kay, and she said she had something planned and she was working on helping us get a dog but this was a total surprise.”

Holzerland protection dogs say it gifted lynch his dog to help him with his PTSD.

Watch: Sanford non-profit organization using horses to help treat veterans with PTSD

The group said dogs can sometimes be more of a help than modern medicine.

See more in the video above.

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