When Justin Lansford came to choose his best man, the decision was easy. In 2012, while serving with the US Army in Afghanistan, Justin lost his left leg when his truck hit an IED (Improvised Explosive Device).
Since that day, one individual has provided him with unwavering support and loyal friendship, making him the obvious choice for best man. That individual is Justin’s service dog, Gabe.
When Justin, 26, tied the knot with 25-year-old Carol Balmes in Largo, Florida, on Saturday, Gabe, as always, was right there by his side.
He suffered severed femurs which resulted in the amputation of his left leg.
On returning home, he was paired with Gabe, a then two-year-old golden retriever who had recently graduated from the Warrior Canine Connection (WCC). The WCC pairs wounded soldiers with support dogs to help them cope with issues including post-traumatic stress disorder, reports ABC News.
Speaking to The Huffington Post about his choice of best man, Justin said: “Gabe goes with us everywhere, so we didn’t feel the wedding should be any different!”
Photographs from the wedding have gone viral.
Carol said: “We had no idea that our little wedding would get so much attention! But Gabe works hard every day, and he deserves all the recognition!”
Source: Mirror.co.uk
