SAN ANTONIO – A 3-year-old service dog was recently found alone and injured after being abandoned by a veteran who said she could no longer financially care for her dog.
Rainie, who was trained by the "Train A Dog, Save a Warrior" program in 2013, was ultimately given to the veteran and her husband in 2014.
Just days ago, Rainie was found abandoned, lifeless and alone.
"She had just been hit by a car," said Jarrod McGee, one of the good Samaritans who found Rainie. "It was raining, it was dark, she had strange men standing over her, and she didn't fight, she didn't struggle. She had just the perfect demeanor."
McGee immediately took Rainie to an emergency pet clinic, where she was stabilized. Three days later, she was moved to a private facility.
"It is heartbreaking, especially this dog," said Bart Sherwood, with TADSAW. "I followed her and I remember her when she went through the public access test, and I was really touched by how well behaved she was and the appearance she had with her veteran."
Unable to ever be a service dog again, the hope for Rainie now is to survive and find a new, loving home, where she'll never be abandoned again.
"She's a warrior, just like the warrior she was helping," said Patsy Swendson, with TADSAW. "And I totally believe she's going make it and she's going to provide someone a great little companion."
Rainie suffered multiple injuries and will require surgery in the future. Swendson said they are hoping to raise money for her care.
