BOGOTA. Colombia (AP) — At the Central Military Hospital in Bogota, an unusual unit patrols the hallways with a mission unlike any other battalion: lifting the spirits of soldiers wounded in combat.

Kratos, Rafa and Lupa make up the so-called “furry force,” a group of emotional support dogs that visit service members recovering after being injured in clashes with Colombia’s illegal armed groups.

One by one, the three dogs enter the room of 2nd Sgt. Jeisson Sánchez Duque, who was shot during fighting in the northwest province of Antioquia. Kratos, the most senior of the dogs, greeted him with a paw after receiving treats. Then, Lupa settled on the floor and Sánchez brushed her as he remained seated due to his back injury.

“It’s something different … you forget the pain and focus on the d

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