A wounded warrior goes before his service companion

Pittsburgh Post-Gazette

“Most likely, I will outlive Tuesday ... ”

Luis Carlos Montalvan wrote those words in his new book about the service dog who helped him cope with post-traumatic stress disorder and serious head, back and leg injuries inflicted during his service as an Army captain in Iraq.

Mr. Montalvan was 43 when he wrote “Tuesday’s Promise.” His golden retriever was 10. He was wrong. Mr. Montalvan’s body was found Dec. 2 in a Texas hotel room. Initial reports said the cause was a heart problem. Subsequent toxicology tests indicated he died from a barbituate overdose.

“Luis did have heart disease, but he did commit suicide,” said Lu Picard, who bred, raised and trained Tuesday. Over the past eight years, she and Mr. Montalvan had forged a strong friendship.

Mr. Montalvan and his dog traveled to 49 states to teach awareness of PTSD and the life-changing benefits of service dogs. But Tuesday did not accompany Mr. Montalvan on his last trip.

“If Tuesday had been with Luis in Texas, I think he would still be alive,” Ms. Picard said.

Tuesday now lives in Connecticut with Ms. Picard and her husband, Dale. Twenty years ago, the couple founded Educated Canines Assisting With Disabilities. Tuesday was born on their training campus and they specially trained him for two years to meet all of Mr. Montalvan’s physical needs and mental health issues.

Mr. Montalvan could not walk without a cane and Tuesday’s steadying influence. The dog sensed his moods, both day and night,