Thera-Puppy: Service Dog Named in Honor of Late Sgt. McConnell

A fallen soldier's legacy will live on in the form of a friendly therapy dog who will assist wounded veterans.

A therapy dog employed by Warrior Canine Connection of Maryland has been named "Derek" in honor of U.S. Army Sgt. Derek McConnell of Parsippany, who died in March.

"Derek would have been honored by this," said his mother, Siobhan, on the "Team Derek" Facebook page.

McConnell, 23, was hit by an improvised explosive device while patrolling in Afghanistan in summer 2011. He lost his legs and suffered other serious injuries, having to spend more than a year—and to undergo 33 surgeries—at Walter Reed National Military Medical Center in Bethesda, Md.

In time, McConnell's recovery progressed to the point where he, on prosthetic legs, could use crutches. Finally, he was allowed to leave the hospital.

He returned home to his aunt's house in Parsippany, in late 2012, and was given a hero’s welcome. But his health made a sudden about-face earlier this year.

The Warrior Canine Connection provides "highly skilled service dogs" to wounded veterans to "provide years of mobility and social support," according to its Facebook page.

"While a patient, Derek became attached to the therapy dogs in the hospital and always welcomed them into his room," reads a post on the Warrior Canine Connection. 

"Derek believed in the patient/therapy dog connection and was preparing to receive his own service dog. Unfortunately, Derek did not live long enough to be partnered with his service dog, but his assigned dog is now paired with the Army officer whose life Derek is credited with saving," when he was hit by the IED.