Vets get independence and dogs get a job.

• Position: Canine Companions - Canine Companions for Independence - Brief article

Imagine you led your platoon to combat, but are unable to pick up your dropped keys, or you were in charge of military intelligence, but no longer can open a door or turn on a light. Now, put an assistance dog in the picture and everything changes. Since its inception in 1975, Canine Companions for Independence, Santa Barbara, Calif., has seen the gift of independence given to adults, children, and veterans with disabilities more than 5,200 times over in the form of a highly-trained assistance dog.

Some 3,800,000 veterans have a service-related disability. Charlie Linville is one of them. While working as an explosive ordinance disposal technician in the Marine Corps...