Updated 12/15/21:
Joshua Rohrer, the homeless Iraq War veteran whose service canine was hit and killed by a automotive following his arrest, was lately gifted a pet by an area good samaritan. Rohrer is now a doting canine dad to little Justice Rae, a playful Belgian Malinois pet.
The particular little pup’s title was rigorously chosen. Justice, as a result of Rohrer is combating for justice for Sunshine Rae, and Rae as a reminder of the good friend he misplaced. Like any pet, Justice Rae is overflowing with power. That power is being harnessed to coach Justice Rae to meet Sunshine’s legacy.
“She’s my new baby,” he instructed WBTV. “I’ve been training her to prepare her for the big shoes she’s gotta fill. She’s living her best life right now, enjoying the sunshine.”
This Veteran Has A New Mission On Home Turf
The traumatic expertise has given Rohrer a brand new mission to execute: advocacy and training. Rohrer continues to show his resilience as he marches onward educating the general public on the significance of service canines.
“That seems to be the biggest hurdle for service dog teams and disabled people with service dogs, going out in public,” stated Rohrer. “That service dog is like a wheelchair, it’s like a prosthetic. It is absolutely necessary for us to function independently in society. And people take that away from us on a daily basis.”
He’s additionally looking for justice for Sunshine and hopes to carry the cops who arrested him accountable. As he petitions the courts to launch physique digicam footage of his arrest, Justice Rae will stay proper by his facet.
Facebook
Original Post:
Army veteran Josh Rohrer and his service canine, Sunshine, have been a pair of acquainted faces usually seen across the Charlotte, North Carolina space. Rohrer served within the Army from 2002 to 2006. He was deployed to Iraq and Kuwait and suffers from PTSD consequently.
Luckily, Rohrer discovered consolation within the love and companionship of Sunshine.
“She’s definitely not a pet. Sunshine Ray is a highly trained service animal that is task trained to perform duties toward my disabilities, so she is crucial to my ability to be able to function in society,” Rohrer instructed WIS 10 News.
Facebook
Rohrer And Sunshine Were Local Icons
The two-year-old Belgian Malinois had been specifically educated as a service animal. Rohrer and Sunshine have been inseparable and had grow to be well-loved members of the neighborhood. The pair was by no means aggressive when asking for assist however as an alternative would spend their days simply smiling and waving at passersby.
“He wasn’t doing anything wrong,” Jordan Huxhold instructed WBTV News. “He wasn’t begging for money. He never came up to a car until you would give him money. He was just happy-go-lucky, smiling and waving at people. That was a joy for him.”
Facebook
One Phone Call Shattered Rohrer’s World
Someone known as the Gastonia Police Department final week to report that Rohrer was utilizing a canine to panhandle. The police arrived and arrested Rohrer, firmly putting him on the hood of the cruiser in the course of the ordeal. Sunshine jumped onto the hood in an try to assist her dad, simply as she had been educated.
“She was just doing her job, licking me and trying to calm me down,” Rohrer instructed Yahoo News. “The cops started yelling at her and me, telling me to get her to settle down but they wouldn’t allow me to physically get control of her.”
Sunshine was in the end tased and took off with a prong nonetheless caught in her facet. Someone who is aware of Roher was capable of finding Sunshine and was caring for her whereas Rohrer was in jail. Somehow, Sunshine managed to flee. Her physique was discovered a number of days later. The vibrant, loving, protecting little woman had been run over by a automotive.
Facebook
Community Members Want Justice
Now the neighborhood is asking for justice, not only for Rohrer however for Sunshine additionally. Dozens of individuals got here collectively to carry a vigil for candy Sunshine. Rohrer is hoping to have the ability to discover one other canine, although he is aware of his bond with Sunshine was a once-in-a-lifetime sort of love. Despite what he has been by lately and the present exacerbation of his PTSD, Rohrer has one message:
“We can all come together as a community and stand up to the things we believe in,” Rohrer stated. “It’s so easy just to be kind to one another and show support, and just smile.”
h/t: wbtv.com
Featured Photo: Facebook/JoshuaRohrer
