For years after leaving the military, Hank Ford said his days often felt long and isolating. A veteran of both the Marine Corps and the Army, he described retirement as “a lot of alone time,” a dangerous mix for someone living with post-traumatic stress disorder. “Idle hands are not a good thing,” Ford said. “Especially when you’re battling with PTSD and depression. It’s not good, and so that’s why I got Tommy.” Tommy is a 3-year-old service dog trained by Dogs Inc, a nonprofit that pairs veterans with animals who can interrupt panic attacks, reduce hypervigilance and provide grounding during periods of stress. Ford was matched with him in September 2023. The connection, he said, was immediate. More local videos here: https://youtube.com/@9news Subscribe to NEXT: https://youtube.com/@Nexton9NEWS Stay connected: 9NEWS Website: https://www.9news.com/ Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/ilike9news X: https://twitter.com/9NEWS Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/9newsdenver/ Download the 9NEWS App: https://www.9news.com/appredirect/ Sign up for the 9NEWSLETTER: https://www.9news.com/email 9NEWS (KUSA) is located in Denver, Colorado.