Former Army Captain Piper Hill will soon be a guest of honor at the second-biggest NASCAR race of the year, but a few years ago she could barely move.
“I don’t remember three years of my life,” said the Peachtree City resident, of the period after her 2003 head injury. “I do remember that she never left my side.”
“She” — that faithful angel who stayed with Hill through the rough times — was an 80-pound American bulldog named Valentine.
“She loved me no matter what,” said Hill, 45. “I honestly believe I’m here today because that dog never left me.”
Her experience led Hill to create Healing4Heroes, a nonprofit that has matched about 200 other wounded veterans with trained service dogs.
Those efforts brought her to the attention of Crown Royal, the lead sponsor of the NASCAR race called the Crown Royal 400. This year Hill is one of five veterans and first responders up for honorary naming rights to the big race at the Indianapolis Motor Speedway. If Hill receives the most online votes, this year’s version of the race will be called the Crown Royal Presents the Piper Hill 400 at the Brickyard.
To vote for Hill, go to the Crown Royal website (you must be over 21. Voting ends June 9. You can vote once a day on any device.)
That would be cool with Hill. “I’m a novice. But I do like (racing) a lot,” she said. She likes to see the cars go fast, and she’s impressed with the fearlessness of the drivers.
She didn’t feel fearless after her injury, which she received during active duty, but before she’d shipped out to Iraq. She had nightmares, anxiety and panic attacks. Valentine helped with all of that. (Service dogs can even be trained to wake their owners from bad dreams.)
“Healing4Heroes is my way of giving back to the incredible soldiers I led and loved,” Hill said. “They have sacrificed so very much to give us this incredible country we are so blessed to live in.”
Today, she said, “I have good days and I have bad days.”
She’s looking forward to a good day at the races.
For more information go to healing4heroes.org/
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