Joe Rice

DENVER - Dogs trained at a facility in Englewood are more than just man's best friend. They are a lifeline to wounded veterans.

Freedom Service Dogs is a nonprofit organization. It rescues shelter dogs and trains them to become companions for wounded veterans and the physically disabled.

Wednesday, Rep. Joe Rice (D-Littleton) presented a resolution at the State Capitol honoring Freedom Service Dogs, and recognizing the positive impact that the dogs have on the every day lives of their owners.

"Freedom Service Dogs provide a really important benefit to our veterans beyond helping them with the details of their lives, like opening doors and providing stability - they provide companionship and comfort," Rice said. "For veterans returning from traumatic combat situations, sometimes it's nice to have somebody you don't have to explain things to."

Four veterans who received dogs from Freedom Service Dogs attended the reading of the resolution at the Capitol.

One of them was Sgt. Charles Berninghausen. He lost his left leg when a bomb exploded next to him in Ramadi, Iraq in December 2007. His right leg was also injured. Berninghausen joined the Wounded Warriors program, which in turn put him in touch with Freedom Service Dogs.

Recently the organization paired him with a black Lab named "Tux."

Berninghausen says the dog is now the most important thing in his life besides his wife and child.

"If I have a problem walking around, he's there to brace me. If I fall down he can help to help me get up. He's just a companion. He's everything for me. He helps me with everything in my day to day living," Berninghausen said.

He is still based out of Fort Carson and is part of the Warrior Transition Battalion, Bravo Company 3rd Platoon.

Dogs trained at Freedom Service Dogs not only help veterans deal with physical injuries, but emotional ones.

It costs about $25,000 to train each dog for nine months. Freedom Service Dogs operates solely on donations. If you would like to donate or volunteer, go to www.freedomservicedogs.org.

The organization has graduated and placed 150 dogs. About 50 people are currently on the waiting list for a dog.

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