SPRINGFIELD, Mo.– Through the front doors of Bass Pro Shop, a crowd is gathering. Each person in the store, pausing for a moment to appreciate Bandit, Fort Leonard Wood’s most precious military therapist.

At about 170 pounds this Great Dane is a tail-wagging titan, but his owner Kelly Brownfield says he carries most of that weight in his massive heart.

“”He can throw people off but once people get over his size.. they realize he’s just a large boy that wants to help out any way he can,” says Brownfield.

The most important way bandit is helping out is by connecting with soldiers like Kenneth Sowards. Sowards was diagnosed with Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder after serving his country and spent time earlier this year in a PTSD treatment facility where he was first introduced to the work therapy dogs do for veterans. Of all the therapy options Sowards has tried, he says spending time with these protective peaceful pups is his favorite.

“”All they want is love and attention and affection and it’s kind of mirroring what we want coming back from the things that we’ve seen and the things that we’ve experienced,” Sowards says.

It’s a connection that comes as no surprise to Brownfield. Who says comfort is this creature’s specialty.

“His name Bandit is just fitting because he’ll steal your heart,” she says with a smile.