Service dog honors Utah Marine killed in Afghanistan
Dec 7, 2021, 8:24 PM | Updated: 9:29 pm
SALT LAKE CITY – A service dog named after Taylor Hoover, a Marine from Utah who died in an Afghanistan bombing earlier this year, went home with a new owner Tuesday.
More than a dozen service dogs named in honor of the 13 Americans who died in the attack were given to deserving vets.
A mortgage company organized the event Tuesday, without realizing that one of their own was tied to the tragic bombing.
Veteran Patty Ibholm received one of the dogs. She said it was more than a new best friend.
“To me, unconditional love, keep me safe,” she said. “I have to say it’s the highest honor in my life to receive this service dog.”
The retired Marine said the sentiment behind the gift is why it was such an honor – given to her in honor of serviceman Daegan Page.
Ibholm said the program was “just amazing. Just a wonderful opportunity.”
It’s all put together through the American Warrior Initiative by Fairview Mortgage.
As the company started organizing the effort, they learned that one of their employees happened to be Kayleigh White, who said Sgt. Hoover was one of her best friends.
“I’m so grateful. It’s not a position that I ever wanted to be in, to plan these events and help with these events. But it’s something that going forward, I hope to be a part of them forever,” White said.
She said the help the veterans get and the honor those fallen soldiers receive meant the world to her.
Hoover’s mother, Kelly Henson, said it’s hard to put into words what it means, partly because Taylor had a service dog of his own.
“That Rottweiler got him through some dark, dark times,” Henson said. “So, I know that right now he’s a hundred percent happy.”
She’s grateful that veterans like Ibholm will also get that help, guidance, and comfort. She called it amazing.
Those ceremonies were held around the country and coordinated online into one big program.
In all, 16 dogs were donated. The additional three were given to honor three other fallen soldiers who were chosen for the event.
