Wounded warrior, service dog in Ramona this week

New York Times

bestselling author and former U.S. Army Capt. Luis Carlos Montalván with his tail-wagging ambassador and service dog Tuesday will present two programs at Ramona Library — one in the evening and one the next morning.

At 6:30 p.m. Tuesday, Dec. 16, Montalván will lead an in-depth discussion about his bestselling memoir, “Until Tuesday: A Wounded

Warrior and the Golden Retriever Who Saved Him.”

A children’s storytime event with the author and Tuesday will be held at 10:30 a.m. Wednesday, Dec. 17. It will feature his children’s book, “Tuesday Tucks Me In: The Loyal Bond Between a Soldier and his Service Dog,” which Amazon.com declared the best nonfiction children’s book of 2014.

Both programs will include a question and answer session and photo opportunities. The books will be available for purchase and signing.

Montalván, a decorated 17-year U.S. Army veteran, has been honored with many awards including two Bronze Stars, the Purple Heart, the Army Commendation Medal for Valor, and the Combat Action Badge. Physically and psychologically wounded by war, Montalván found it difficult to cope with the effects of those wounds until Tuesday took his place beside him. Tuesday, not without his own trauma, learned to trust again as the two wounded warriors began the healing journey together.

Tuesday is the recipient of the American Kennel Club’s 2013 Humane Fund Award for Canine Excellence - Service Dog.

Montalván is an outspoken advocate for veterans and all people with disabilities. “Until Tuesday” and “Tuesday Tucks Me In” are inspiring stories of the connection between human and canine.

The programs are sponsored by the Friends of the Ramona Library and San Vicente Resort.

Ramona Library is at 1275 Main St. For more information, call 760-788-5270 or visit www.sdcl.org.