Naval hospital recognizes caregivers

[unhappycamper]

Naval hospital recognizes caregivers
By Kate Wiltrout - The Virginian-Pilot
Posted : Friday Nov 21, 2008 11:57:21 EST

PORTSMOUTH, Va. — Cmdr. Sean Barbabella helped care for more than 1,200 trauma patients, mostly Marines wounded in combat, during seven months in Iraq last year.

One who made an indelible impression on the Navy doctor was Lex, a bomb-sniffing German shepherd wounded alongside his handler, Marine Cpl. Dustin Lee, in a mortar attack.

Barbabella watched as the dog, limping from shrapnel wounds, ran alongside Lee’s gurney as it was rushed from a helicopter to the trauma bay at Al Taqqadum.

Lex sat, unmoving, as a team of medical personnel tried to save the mortally wounded Marine.

“The loyalty, courage and commitment the dog showed to his duties and his handler is an example to all of us,” said Barbabella, who shared Lex’s story Tuesday at Portsmouth Naval Medical Center in honor of Warrior Care Month.


Rest of article at: http://www.navytimes.com/news/2008/11/ap_caregivers_112108/%2e