Community Corner
Therapy Dogs Come to Injured Firefighter's Rescue
The therapy program at PAWS Animal Shelter in Tinley Park has been overhauled during the past few years, all because the man at the helm wants to pay it forward.
Former firefighter John Greenan never could have predicted that a garbage truck would change his life forever.
But when he was run over by one in Joliet more than a decade ago, everything he once planned for himself, his career and his future shifted. He spent a solid year in the hospital—during which he was Life Flighted twice—and underwent a full shoulder replacement. He was then diagnosed with multiple sclerosis and lupus.
"After being in and out of the hospital for so long and not being able to work ever again, you get a little depressed," the 40-year-old said Tuesday. "I had lost a lot of confidence."
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It wasn't until Greenan began spending time with therapy dogs in his hospital room that he regained what he had lost. And now, he's paying it forward. Since 2008, he has focused on revamping the pet therapy program at .
Read more about PAWS' efforts with .
