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Watch this service dog rappel down from rafters during Stars game (Video)

Sean Leahy
·Contributing writer
FOX Stars
FOX Stars

It was Veterans Appreciation Night on Monday at American Airlines Centers as the Dallas Stars beat the San Jose Sharks 1-0.

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Before the game, U.S. Army Sgt. Stephen Wayne Jackel, Jr. did the ceremonial puck drop honors and over 100 seats were donated to veterans and their families. The Stars donned camouflage jerseys during warm-ups that will be autographed and auctioned off to benefit Defending the Blue Line and Kari Lehtonen wore a special mask he designed and will go to benefit the Wounded Warrior Project.

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The real highlight came when wounded vet Cary Flatt was presented with a service dog named Patty. It was a unique ceremony because it featured former Navy Seat Ryan Parrott, founder of the “Bird’s Eye View Project,” rappelling from the arena rafters with Patty strapped to him.

According to Rebuilding Warriors, Flatt was deployed multiple times for Operation Iraqi Freedom, Operation Enduring Freedom-Afghanistan, Operation Enduring Freedom-Philippines, and other places around the world during his 20-plus year career. He was wounded twice in Afghanistan, which caused him to retire in 2015.

Now he’ll get to enjoy retirement at home in Texas with a very good dog.

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Sean Leahy is the associate editor for Puck Daddy on Yahoo Sports. Have a tip? Email him at puckdaddyblog@yahoo.com or follow him on Twitter!

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