Wherever you find Marine veteran Sam Deeds, you’ll find 2-year-old pit bull Echo right next to him.Deeds was paired with Echo thanks to the organization Rescued and Ready, which pairs injured veterans with shelter dogs.Deeds was injured by two explosions while serving in Iraq and underwent 42 surgeries. Echo serves as a steady lift assistant when Deeds has trouble getting up. "She has a personality like no other dog I've ever had," Deeds said.Echo also helps calm Deeds down when he has a panic attack and helps him through public spaces."If there's a group of people coming at me, she'll actually pull me to the side, away from them," Deeds said. "Just naturally, she does it. I don't think it was trained."Echo is giving Deeds a new lease on life and allowing him to be the father he wants to be to his sons."My boys will be able to have somewhat of a normal life, and go to the aquarium and ballparks and stuff," Deeds said. "But it’s going to be a huge help for me and my family."

Wherever you find Marine veteran Sam Deeds, you’ll find 2-year-old pit bull Echo right next to him.


Deeds was paired with Echo thanks to the organization Rescued and Ready, which pairs injured veterans with shelter dogs.

Deeds was injured by two explosions while serving in Iraq and underwent 42 surgeries. Echo serves as a steady lift assistant when Deeds has trouble getting up.

"She has a personality like no other dog I've ever had," Deeds said.

Echo also helps calm Deeds down when he has a panic attack and helps him through public spaces.

"If there's a group of people coming at me, she'll actually pull me to the side, away from them," Deeds said. "Just naturally, she does it. I don't think it was trained."

Echo is giving Deeds a new lease on life and allowing him to be the father he wants to be to his sons.

"My boys will be able to have somewhat of a normal life, and go to the aquarium and ballparks and stuff," Deeds said. "But it’s going to be a huge help for me and my family."