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| LIFE IN SOLERA | NOVEMBER 2023 | 29 By Sharon Waitman Camo was born in Rockwell, Texas in 2013. Shortly after his birth he was assigned to Patriot Paws for training. He was a good student and very smart. Upon graduation he was assigned to Arlie Matthews and moved to Huntington Beach, CA. Arlie was an Army helicopter pilot who flew Hueys in Vietnam in 1970 and 1971. His job was to pick up and deliver soldiers in the hot spots in the war zone. It was a tough job but Arlie loved it and he loved being in the military. What Arlie didn't know was that as he sat waiting for his passengers, he was inhaling Agent Orange. Eventually, Arlie became ill as a result of the exposure. The list of his varied physical illnesses is extensive and serious. He also has PTSD, which he says sometimes makes him cranky around his six great-grandkids. Part of his support group is his daughter and five grandkids. The most important support for Arlie is his very best buddy, Camo. He and Camo have been inseparable for seven years. Camo is a Silver Labrador Retriever, educated at Patriot Paws, a satellite program with A & M Texas University. Camo has been trained to get help in emergencies, recognize and avert PTSD episodes, pick up and retrieve items, open and close doors, pull wheelchairs, provide bracing to stand, walk, and sit down, help with chores, such as laundry, and taking off shoes and socks. He also makes Arlie laugh a lot with his personality and antics. Camo trained Arlie for two weeks at A & M in order to understand service animals. Well, Arlie passed and the rest is history. Arlie, with all his ailments, is a cheerful, upbeat fellow, and Camo is a happy-go-lucky bear of a dog. Together their friendship and dedication to each other is a happily-ever- after story. ROAD TO SOLERA Patriotic Pals: Arlie & Camo