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LITHONIA, Ga - Teresa Barnes spent seven years in the Army, 15 in the National Guard and even did a tour in Iraq.
Being overseas I lost my sense of security. For about two years after coming home, I wouldn't leave my house. I'd only leave for doctors appointments," said Teresa Barnes.
That all changed when Teresa got her service dog Gabby.
"Since I got her my life turned around. I'm able to go out of the house knowing that she's with me. She's my battle buddy, my protection," Barnes says.
On Thursday, Barnes got some devastating news about her pup-Gabby has cancer.
"She needs surgery to stop the tumor from spreading," said Barnes. Barnes decided to take Gabby for a walk at a park in Lithonia. "We were on our way back to the car, about halfway there, I see someone shutting the passenger side of my door," said Barnes.
Barnes was the victim of a car break-in. "Times are difficult for everyone that doesn't give you a right to steal or damage property," Barnes says. Barnes tells FOX 5 the suspect did more than just damage her car.
"Now I don't feel comfortable going back to that park. He stole something from me that is going to take me a long time to get back," said Barnes.
With the suspect still at large, Barnes has a tough choice on her hands.
"I have to choose between giving her (Gabby) the surgery that could save her life or getting my windows repaired so I can go to the doctor. No one should have to be forced to make a choice like that," Barnes says.
DeKalb County Police tell FOX 5 they are investigating the incident.