A lick on the hand from a pet dog was all it took to change a Saskatoon man’s life.

It was in 2007 when Jim Komar contracted ‘Capnocytophaga Canimorsus,’ a bacterium passed from canine to humans that can be fatal to the elderly or people with certain conditions.

“One of my dogs licked my finger and I must have had a cut. About two days later, I felt really bad and went to the Royal University Hospital,” said Komar.

Komar was 72 at the time, and says he hovered between life and death for a few weeks. Shortly after, both his legs were amputated after doctors told him he had Gangrene.

Komar’s strength was tested.

“I knew that if I came up I would bring everyone else in my life up,” said Komar, “But if I went down, everyone would be dragged down too.”

Four months after the amputation, Komar began walking again. Since then, he has devoted himself to volunteer work, visiting prisoners, nursing homes, is active in Church and LGBT support groups.

“You can make your life a tragedy or an adventure, and I chose to make it an adventure,” said Komar.

Komar’s latest adventure is calling on the province to mandate LGBT support groups in Saskatchewan schools.

Komar has won awards for his volunteer works, and even though he turns 83 in a few weeks, he has no plans of slowing down.

Based on a report by CTV’s John Baglieri.