Local Named 'CNN Hero' for Connecting Veterans with Service Dogs

Mary Cortani has trained military police dogs for explosive and narcotics detection, founded two dog training services and is an avid volunteer, which is why it's not surprising that she was recently featured in CNN Heroes, a special report on everyday people changing the world. 

CNN interviews Cortani about Operation Freedoms Paws, the nonprofit she started two years ago that uses service dogs to help veterans cope with mental and physical injuries.

Cortani, who spent nine years in the military training animals and training the soldiers who handled them, believes dogs can help veterans through the healing process because they "provide a sense of security and can calm an individual."

Cortani says dogs can be trained to perform specific tasks for an injured person, which is exemplified in CNN's video of Iraq War veteran James McQuoid. In the video, Cortani helps McQuiod train Iggie, who in turn helps McQuid cope with the Post Traumatic Stress Disorder making everyday activities, like trips to the grocery store, seem life threatening.

Do you know a Gilroyan who should be nominated for CNN Hero? The application to nominate a 2012 hero is available here.  

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