MINNEAPOLIS — A Vietnam veteran in Minnesota says he’s desperate to get his stolen dog back because the service animal helps him cope with post-traumatic stress disorder.

Mike Heath says he and his Shih-poo named Baby have been together for 10 years after a doctor recommended the pet.

Heath tells KARE-TV he has no permanent address and was splitting a hotel room in Bloomington with another homeless man earlier this month. Heath says that man and a female friend stole his debit card, emptied his account and made off with Baby. Heath has been sleeping in his car to save for a reward for the stolen dog. He’s put up posters at bus stops across South Minneapolis.

Heath hasn’t lost faith. He says most people would do the right thing, unlike the people who took his money and his dog.