In Iowa City, a gentle black Lab named Allie does more than retrieve dropped items; she’s helping Marine veteran Gabe Heefner rebuild his life one day at a time after a life-changing injury.
In October 2021, the then-20-year-old Kirkwood native had completed Marine basic training and was preparing to ship out to Okinawa, Japan. Before leaving, he returned to Iowa City for a quick visit with family, where an unexpected injury derailed the young Marine's military career.
"Gabe was in the ICU at the University of Iowa Hospital for a month," his father, Nile, shared. "Then, he went to Shirley Ryan Ability Lab in Chicago, where he learned to talk, eat, and walk again."
Shortly after Gabe’s injury, Nile discovered Dogs For Our Brave (DFOB), a St. Louis-based nonprofit that provides professionally trained service dogs at no cost to veterans who’ve suffered physical injuries during military service. The organization rescues shelter dogs when possible and trains them in-house.
"I noticed paw prints and names on a wall at Helen Fitzgerald's in St. Louis County," Nile explained. "They told me it was Dogs For Our Brave. I got in touch with Jim Schutte, the president, and shared Gabe’s story."
Founded by Andy and Marylynn Gladstein, DFOB’s mission is to provide service dogs and cover all lifetime expenses for the dog.
Following a new matching process, Gabe received Allie, a black Lab with a calm spirit and big heart. Together for about a year now, they’ve built a strong bond supporting Gabe’s physical and emotional recovery.
"I'm obviously not the most balanced now after my injury, so if I bend down to pick something up, there's a 50/50 chance I'll either get it or end up on the floor," Gabe explained. "She’ll grab it and hand it to me. And if I do end up on the floor, I can tell her to come over and 'brace.' She stands still, and I can push myself up using her support."
Beyond physical help, Allie provides emotional stability. "She’s always looking for attention and is always so happy. It’s just a great fit," Gabe said.
Gabe wishes more people understood that service dogs on duty shouldn’t be distracted. “If a dog is inside and has a vest on, then it’s a working dog. It has a job: taking care of one person. Petting isn’t part of that,” he explained.
“DOTB provides a dog, but also ongoing support,” Nile said. “These veterans have both physical and emotional needs. These dogs are part of their healing and purpose.” DOTB also hosts monthly Zoom calls for veterans focused on nutrition, fitness, and mental health.
Inspired by this spirit of service, Gabe now volunteers weekly at his local animal shelter. Recently, he began cycling again using a recumbent trike: something that once felt impossible.
Through it all, Gabe stays grounded in what Allie brings him: motivation, companionship, and love.
“I have more of a purpose now; she’s a friend that I help, and she helps me,” Gabe reflected. “I feel more motivated, and it’s nice to feel that way again.”
You can support DFOB by visiting dfob.org to learn more. From monthly giving to volunteering and fundraising, there are many ways to join their mission and make a lasting difference for veterans like Gabe.
Founded in 2014, Dogs for Our Brave provides free, lifelong-trained mobility service dogs—often shelter rescues—to veterans. Training takes 18 months. The organization supports veterans for life and is launching a local PTSD service dog program in St. Louis.