By Lyonel Doherty
Times-Chronicle
Lance Cpl. Liam Tasker with his dog Theo during training. (Ministry of Defense)
An Oliver man has honoured a couple of real-life heroes that have touched the hearts of millions worldwide.
Ross Potter named his service dog “Theo” after hearing about L/Cpl. Liam Tasker and his bomb detection dog who died in Afghanistan in 2011.
The British soldier was killed in a firefight (by a sniper) as he searched for explosives with his beloved Springer Spaniel named Theo. Later, back at base camp, Theo suffered a seizure and died (in what Tasker’s family believes was attributed to a broken heart).
The pair set a record for bomb finds during their deployment. In fact, they were reportedly the most successful dog team in Afghanistan.
Potter was so touched by the story he named his own service dog after the canine hero.
“I did that in their honour,” Potter said while walking Theo on Veterans Avenue in Oliver.
Potter, a retired member of the RCMP, suffers post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), and relies on his English Springer Spaniel to bring him comfort as a companion.
In all honesty, what Theo does to help Potter with his stress is difficult to answer.
“I have spent hours trying to figure out how to explain that, but I think this is it: She will be there to say to me in a way only a dog can, ‘everything will be okay.’”
Potter added the idea behind having Theo is to make him feel less anxious in public.
Theo is currently undergoing obedience training before she becomes fully certified.
