Justin Lansford was a paratrooper in the 82nd Airborne Division in eastern Afghanistan in early 2012 when he struck an IED that flipped his truck. His wounds resulted in the amputation of his left leg.
Once home, Justin was paired with Gabe, a golden retriever who had recently graduated from the Warrior Canine Connection – a nonprofit that puts wounded warriors in connection with support dogs.
They grew so close that Lansford had Gabe stand by his side as best man at his wedding to longtime girlfriend, Carol Balmes. The couple has been together since high school.
