The founder and president of Paws for Purple Hearts is celebrating 50 years of the modern-day service dog concept she began by training dogs to serve people.

Dr. Bonnie Bergin's nonprofit trains dogs to support military veterans with mobility and mental health challenges.

"It's exceptional what these dogs are able to do," Bergin said.

Bergin shook up the concept of a canine companion back in 1975. At the time, she and her husband traveled to Australia to teach, then visited countries in Asia and Europe.

Her overseas experiences inspired her to help people living with disabilities.

"What can we do to get them out and about on their own?" Bergin said. "And I sat there and thought, 'Dogs! Dogs could do it!'"

She had no background in dog training, but she began teaching her own puppy, Ab

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