Get all your news in one place.
100's of premium titles.
One app.
Start reading
ABC News
ABC News
Health

Veteran leaves 'life-saving' assistance dog at government office after refusal to help pay for care

David Petersen Amelia DVA Lincoln Rothall Department of Veterans Affairs Afghanistan
Amelia has been helping David Petersen with his PTSD for three years.  (ABC News: Lincoln Rothall )

A traumatised Afghanistan veteran says he has been forced to surrender his beloved support dog because the Department of Veterans' Affairs will not pay for its care while he travels overseas for work. 

The black Labrador, provided by the Department of Veterans' Affairs (DVA), has been his companion for three years and helps with his mental health.

Sign up to read this article
Read news from 100's of titles, curated specifically for you.
Already a member? Sign in here
Related Stories
Top stories on inkl right now
One subscription that gives you access to news from hundreds of sites
Already a member? Sign in here
Our Picks
Man goes to Tim Hortons and sees some Harry Potter-themed donuts. Then he takes a closer look: ‘I was deeply concerned’
Those are definitely not going to the Hogwarts feast!
We Got This Covered
We Got This Covered
Ex-Dunkin’ worker says her paycheck was withheld. Then she airs alleged dirty laundry about drinks, creamers, and more: ‘When you’re not looking’
She allegedly was treated differently after getting a new job
We Got This Covered
We Got This Covered
Ultraprocessed Meal Raised Insulin More Than a Calorie-Matched Whole-Food Meal in Small Virginia Tech Brain Imaging Trial
Two 300-calorie meals with matching nutrients drew different insulin and metabolic responses in a small Virginia Tech trial. Here is what it means.
Medical Daily
Medical Daily
Trump may kill free chips and salsa
Tariffs on tomatoes could turn one of dining's smallest gestures of hospitality into a line item
Salon
Salon
Selena Gomez Fans Beg Her To Dump Benny Blanco After Latest Comment About Their Relationship
What seemed like a funny story about their relationship left some viewers deeply uncomfortable, with critics accusing Benny Blanco of repeatedly embarrassing Selena Gomez in public.
Bored Panda
Bored Panda
AI can help with academic research but doesn’t always get it right – here are some tips to check the information you receive
Almost 25% of adults in the United States are using artificial intelligence chatbots on a daily basis, a 2026 Pew Research Center study found.
The Conversation
The Conversation
Fourteen days free
Download the app
One app. One membership.
100+ trusted global sources.
Download on the AppStore Get it on Google Play