By admin 
RAEFORD, N.C. (WNCN) — A Raeford business owner is facing a long road to recovery after a head-on crash in Hoke County, but her family says support from strangers, friends, and the community is helping carry them through.
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Larinda Watts, owner of Blue Cord K9 Training, suffered serious injuries in a crash along Rockfish Road on Friday.
According to family members, the 38-year-old broke her back and was airlifted to UNC Hospitals in Chapel Hill, where she underwent emergency spinal surgery. Watts still has limited movement in her legs, but they are already seeing small signs of progress.
The crash has left Watts’ future uncertain, especially as her family worries about whether she will be able to continue running the dog training business that supports them financially.
(Jolene Botchie) 
(Jolene Botchie)
“She didn’t die, I’m so grateful for that,” said Watts’ sister, Jolene Botchie. “But she has a long road ahead of her.
“I know one of her biggest fears is not being able to train dogs again,” Botchie said. “It’s her livelihood, and without it, they don’t have the money to survive.”
Watts started Blue Cord K9 after her husband Kevin, a disabled U.S. Army veteran, wanted to help veterans with service dogs.
According to family members, the business became more than a job. It became their family’s main source of income and a way to serve others.
“She is a strong person in our family,” Kevin Watts said. “When I say that, she does a lot for us. The thought of losing her or losing any part of her is scary to all of us.”
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Since the crash, the community has rallied around the family. A GoFundMe page created by Botchie has raised more than $17,000 to help cover medical bills and living expenses while Larinda Watts recovers.
“It’s overwhelming,” Kevin Watts said. “But also puts my heart at rest, knowing we got people behind us.”
The family also reunited Wednesday with Danette Dean, the woman they call Larinda Watts’ “angel”.
According to family members, Dean was driving along Rockfish Road when she witnessed the crash and immediately stopped to help. She stayed with Watts and kept her calm until first responders and her husband arrived.
“She was just sitting there not crying and not freaking out,” Botchie said. “I do believe it was because of her.”
Dean said helping was instinctive.
“Stepped in kind of like mom mode, soldier mode,” Dean said. “I just looked at her and said we don’t know what’s going on, we don’t know what’s internally wrong. We got to stay calm.”
Dean pushed back on being called a hero.
“No, I’m not an angel,” she said. “It’s in my heart beforehand to help.”
The family says every donation, prayer and message of support has helped them as Watts begins what could be a lengthy recovery.
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Anyone interested in donating may do so through an online fundraiser.