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The Villages
Tuesday, April 23, 2024

Quadriplegic veteran bonding with service dog thanks to generosity of Villagers

Pam Kelly with her new service dog, Bonsai.
Pam Kelly with her new service dog, Bonsai.

A quadriplegic veteran is now bonding with her service dog, thanks to the generosity of Villagers.

Villagers for Veterans raised $10,000 to purchase the service dog for Pam Kelly, who  served as an Army medic for 17 years until a training accident crushed her spine and severely injured her head and shoulders. She is a quadriplegic and has some mobility in her left arm.

A breakfast event at Evans Prairie Country Club served as the primary fundraiser to purchase the service dog.

New Horizons Service Dogs provided the golden retriever named, Bonsai.

Marie Bogdonoff, Pam Kelly and her new service dog, Bonsai.
Marie Bogdonoff, Pam Kelly and her new service dog, Bonsai.

A disabled vet who was at the breakfast event had recommended the organization to Marie Bogdonhoff, head of Villagers for Veterans.

New Horizons Service Dogs founder Janet Severt, also a quadriplegic, expedited Kelly’s application for a service dog. 

Bogdonoff was there when Kelly got Bonsai.

“They bonded as soon as they saw each other. The transformation in Pam is nothing short of miraculous,” Bogdonoff said.

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