US Army vet searching for lost therapy dog

Rob McMillan Image
Thursday, October 15, 2015
San Bernardino US Army vet searching for lost therapy dog
A San Bernardino disabled U.S. Army veteran is asking for the public's help to find his therapy dog, 4-year-old Twix.

SAN BERNARDINO, Calif. -- A San Bernardino U.S. Army veteran is asking for the public's help to find his missing 4-year-old therapy dog Twix.

John Silva has spent a lot of time at the local animal shelter, walking back and forth down the kennels in the hopes that he'll find his beloved pit bull.

"I'm willing to do whatever it takes to get him back," he said. "It's so hard for me not having him here."

Silva, who spent six years in the army, is also disabled. Not only does he have lower back problems, but all of the emotional trauma from tours of duty in Iraq and Afghanistan.

"It's hard for me to wake up in the morning and do what I have to do because he's not there," he said.

Rachel Hester, Silva's wife, said she can see a difference in her husband without Twix around.

"John is very depressed and lonely. I can see a difference in him," she said. "I mean it's hard not to know where Twix is and it's just even worse to see your best friend and your spouse hurting."

They think Twix escaped through a hole in the back fence of their home last Thursday.

The couple has posted more than 150 fliers around town, but it's a story that has gone viral with people from all over trying to help Silva find Twix.

He is hoping someone out there might know where his therapy dog is and will be able to bring him home, where he is desperately needed.