Rescued High River dog, Diesel, prepares to help veteran

A miniature Husky rescued from a flooded High River home is being trained to help a Canadian veteran who suffers from post-traumatic stress disorder.

Diesel was surrendered by his owner and taken from High River during June's flood. The Citadel Canine Society took him in and has been training Diesel to partner up with Don Leonardo, a veteran of the Yugoslav Wars in the 1990s.

"He's going to rescue me, just as he was rescued," said Leonardo. "I live alone so this is going to be a companion, a buddy, a friend, somebody that's going to be there for me."

Diesel is also being trained to wake Leonardo up from night terrors and will help him with going out in public.

While there is still more work to be done, Diesel's trainers are hoping he'll bring a positive change to Leonardo's life when they hand him over in a few months.

"Dogs are amazing creatures," said Donna Luchak with the Citadel Canine Society.

"It's proven they can lower blood pressure in individuals, they're a calming influence. It's just something about that fur and those four paws that can bring some people out of the down and the dumps."