(Photo via BluePearl Veterinary Partners)
Aaron Schneider, a U.S. Army Reserve Iraq war veteran risked his life fighting for our country. But on Tuesday he risked his life to save a stray dog.
When Schneider saw a driver hit a dog on an interstate in Lee’s Summit, Missouri, he jumped into action. He crossed three lanes of cars and put himself between oncoming traffic and the injured animal, according to WDAF.
The dog, a stray beagle, was in obvious pain and acting defensive. Schneider spoke with animal control for assistance and waited nearly three hours in the rain as he gained the dog’s trust to pick him up.
He eventually was able to get him onto a makeshift stretcher and into a friend’s pickup truck.
Aaron Schnieder (Photo BluePearl Veterinary Partners)
Buster the beagle (Photo BluePearl Veterinary Partners)
“At the end of the day, my combat lifesaver training kicked in, and I’m thankful I was able to use it to help him,” said Schneider. “Having served in Iraq, you see a lot of loss, which is one of the reasons I was determined to see him make it.”
The Chipman Road Animal Clinic stabilized the approximately five-year-old beagle, and veterinary staff named him Buster.
His injuries were so extensive his care was referred to an emergency hospital, BluePearl Veterinary Partners.
Buster remains in the intensive care unit at BluePearl, but is expected to make a full recovery. Schneider has been unable to identify Buster’s family, and plans to adopt him if no one comes forward.
Members of the public interested in donating to Buster’s care and other pets like him should donate to http://www.friendsofkcanimals.org/donate/.
Read more: WDAF