Canines are helping some local veterans deal with mental health disorders and other hardships.

Four service dogs graduated last night at the James Harmon Community Center in Hastings.

Dozier, a golden retriever, is specially trained to sense his owner's mood. After graduating, Dozier's now heading home with retired Army Lieutenant John Anthony Charles. "No veteran with PTSD knows when they're going to have a nightmare. And this dog, Dozier, he woke me up. I mean, I was having this nightmare and I woke up with his paws on the bed," says Charles.

Dozier was trained by Educated Canines Assisting with Disabilities located on the campus of Children's Village in Dobbs Ferry.