Alva Review-Courier -

McAlester, Okla. (AP) — A military veteran and former stray dog saw their lives turn for the better through a local service dog initiative.

U.S. Army Veteran Kevin Watson struggled with post-traumatic stress disorder and suicidal thoughts before he met Boots through the Paws for Patriots program. The initiative pairs military veterans and individuals who would benefit from service dogs trained by inmates at the Jackie Brannon Correctional Center, a minimum-security prison in McAlester.

Boots entered the program suffering from mange, worms, a urinary tract infection and had just lost a litter o...