Devan Curtis needed help to stand after posing for a group picture with Raeya, her silky-soft golden retriever service dog. A kindly man reached down to lend a hand. What he didn't know is Raeya is specially trained to help Devan up when she's down, both physically and emotionally. Regardless, the hand up was much appreciated.

Multiple sclerosis is taking a toll on Curtis. As a stay at home mom and home-school instructor of two young children in Powell, she also suffers from acute anxiety. Again, Raeya is there to pick her up emotionally.

However, had Curtis been forced to pony up for the highly trained pooch, it might have been cost prohibitive. Purchasing the dogs and then funding the intensive training needed to deal with life as a service animal can cost tens of thousands of dollars. According to the Dog Alliance, service animals trained to deal with PTSD, anxiety, autism and depression can cost between $20,000-$50,000 before they are ready to go to work.

That's where K9 Elite stepped in. Devan received her service dog a year ago; free from K9 Elite and their generous donors. The 501(c)(3) charity organization is committed to supporting the men and women who have experienced PTSD or trauma while serving our country or their communities. Through specialized training and carefully matched service dogs, the program provides meaningful support, renewed confidence, and a trusted companion to help ease the challenges that come with healing.

"I'm a very strong believer in Jesus Christ, but my dog is the miracle worker," Devan said.

Her husband, Cody, and two children, Cooper, 8, and Coraline, 6, accompanied her to the 2026 annual banquet to share her experiences. It was a decade ago when she was diagnosed with MS while training to become a U.S. Marine.

The Mayo Clinic defines the disease as a chronic, immune-mediated disease where the body's immune system attacks myelin, the protective sheath that covers nerve fibers in the central nervous system (brain and spinal cord). This damage disrupts signal transmission between the brain and the rest of the body. If Devan winds up in a wheelchair, Raeya will receive further training to assist her to get around.

Devan remembers the first time the disease raised its ugly head.

"I was getting ready one morning and I fell down. My legs just absolutely went out from under me," she said. "I called my mom and said, 'I think something's wrong. I can't stand up. I can't walk. I can't feel my legs.'"

Before Raeya, Devan's stress was also debilitating. She thought about ending her life.

"I was suicidal before I got Raeya, and that's no fault of my kids or my husband. It was the trauma that I have been through in the past and the medical trauma that I have been through. I was very suicidal," she said.

Now, Raeya has made a difference in her entire family's lives.

"She has turned all of our lives around," Devan said. "She's a medically necessary distraction."

Raising funds

Heart Mountain Hall on the Park County Fairgrounds was hopping Saturday night. The sold-out event featured silent and live auctions mixed with testimonials about humanity's best friend.

Dan Scott was guest speaker at the event. Thanks to Sarge, his life after serving as a calvary scout in the Middle East is easier to bear. Scott suffers from PSTD and often relives his trauma from Iraq in nightmares.

Scott was diagnosed with a traumatic brain injury and post traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) after he hit improvised explosive devices while piloting a Bradley Fighting Vehicle. Moving ahead of the squad, scouts are the eyes and ears on the field, gathering information about enemy positions, vehicles, weapons and activity. Often exposed, scouts determine whether to call for reinforcements and when to order a retreat.

With the information they gather, commanders can make informed decisions about how to move troops and where and when to attack. The lives of the squad rely on scouts, it weighs heavy on the soul; scouts see the worst of the horrid nature of war and any wrong move could mean lives lost.

Back home in Wyoming, Dan found numerous triggers to his PTSD. He always sat with his back against the wall — that is, when he left the house. If he wasn’t forced to leave his home, he simply refused.

His wife, Maurena, often thought about ending their marriage, yet refused to give up.

“It’s not an easy road to go down, but I refused to give up on my best friend,” she said.

The two took to the stage to share their story of life, love and how Sarge saved them after K9 Elite gifted them their life saving giant schnoodle (a cross between a giant schnauzer and a standard poodle).

"Sarge and Dan are the best battle buddies, and I enjoy watching them together. I do get a little jealous, however, because I feel like sometimes Sarge knows Dan better than I do," Maurena said.

Dan credits Sarge with giving him a second shot at life.

"My bond with my wife has increased. My bond with my fellow man has increased. Sarge keeps me away from doing stupid stuff, and I'm learning that it's OK to bond with somebody again after losing so much," he said.

The Scott's awarded Wes Mangus, founder of K9 Elite and noted dog trainer, a certificate of appreciation at the end of their testimonials.

"Your mission, saving lives one dog at a time, has made a meaningful difference in our community, providing hope, safety, compassion to those it means. Your courage, professionalism and devotion to both humans and canine partners exemplifies the highest standards of service and excellence," the award read.

Mangus and his wife, Kaycie, work tirelessly to both procure and train the dogs and to host the important fundraiser. The proceeds from the event have brought in more than $120,000 in previous years. K9 Elite awarded two dogs to people in need of their service at the banquet, but the dogs are still too young to have attended the banquet.

"We are saving lives one dog at a time," Mangus said.

To apply for K9 Elite assistance or to donate: tsk9wy.com