K9s For Warriors

K9s For Warriors, a nonprofit organization that provides military veterans suffering from severe PTSD, traumatic brain injury and military sexual trauma with service animals, recently changed the name of its main campus to honor its leader and founder Shari Duval.

Duval began K9s For Warriors in 2011 after her son returned from two tours in Iraq with intense PTSD. Duval wanted to create a way to help her son, and help other military veterans like him, in the easiest way possible. After researching canine assistance for PTSD survivors, K9s For Warriors was born.

The nonprofit quickly became the nation’s largest provider of service dogs to veterans, rescuing thousands of dogs over the last 10 years and providing over 650 graduates with capable service animals. The program is run by a board of directors and dozens of volunteers who train and prepare the dogs to assist veterans with disorders.

The three-week long program takes place on the main campus where veterans learn how to re-enter civilian life, and leave with a service animal once they graduate the program. It is at no cost to the veterans, as the organization’s main goal is to help the veteran and their dog bond and heal together.

At the beginning of the new year, K9s For Warriors held a ceremony in which it renamed its main campus, located in Ponte Vedra to The Shari Duval K9s For Warriors National Headquarters.

“Shari is leaving a legacy for generations to come by creating K9s For Warriors,” said Brianna Bentov, public relations manager for the organization. “It only seemed appropriate to at least rename the national headquarters after her.”

Volunteers, staff and multiple board members made an appearance at the renaming ceremony. Judge Ron Swanson, a board member, gave a moving speech about the importance of Duval’s work, and Duval herself also took a moment to speak about her plans for the organization’s future.

Affectionately dubbed “Mom” by warriors at the organization, Duval has made a lasting impact on thousands of lives in creating K9s For Warriors.

“Our men and women of our military fought for our tomorrows,” Duval said, “so we fight for theirs.”

Power Of A Dog

“A dog in school. Can you image that?

“They say a picture is worth a thousand words. I would like to tell you what I see when I see this picture of a dog in school,” said Daleville City Schools teacher Kimberly Henderson. “I see so much more.”

As a student support services teacher for the school system, Henderson is the handler for Cassie, a five-year-old black lab who is one of the area’s first service dogs assigned “full time” to a school.

New this school year to the DCS staff, Cassie is a service dog “trained” to detect the scent of a student who is under stress and to reduce or eliminate disruptive behaviors. “In Cassie I see a village—the Service Dogs of Alabama, Daleville City Schools, staff and community and especially students to name but a very few—all coming together for our children and a dog,” Henderson said.

“I see a way to teach color and texture. A way to exercise muscles that are weak or atrophied. I see a way for children to do ‘physical therapy’ when they think they are playing ball with my Cassie,” Henderson said. “I see a desire to come to school and I see learning taking place where others may only see play time.”

The lessons that Cassie teaches are all encompassing, Henderson said. “Her leash represents a way to teach students responsibility to care for another’s needs and a way to keep students close who want to run away.

“I see responsibility and respect for each other for our fur baby and for people in our school. I see a comfortable and safe place for students when they feel overwhelmed to be soothed enough to learn,” Henderson said. “I see a dog modeling good behavior for children and leading by example because the dog is modeling manners for that child, by sitting nicely, shaking hands and ‘saying’ thank you when given something.”

Henderson said that when she looks at Cassie, she sees a friend for a child who doesn’t have one. “I see a confidant for a child who needs one. I see a study partner, a reading buddy, a warm place with a built in pillow and unconditional love and acceptance.

“But I see a lot more,” she added. “I see a community that came together and gave unselfishly the things that make a classroom a safe haven for some and a source of learning that may not otherwise be so easy, for others.

“Kids learn to express gentle compassion and unconditional love to a dog and others through this program,” Henderson said. “For these and many other reasons, we have discovered the ‘power of a dog.’”

Puppy Bowl

Not even a global pandemic can stop teams Ruff and Fluff.  On Super Bowl Sunday, nearly six dozen mischievous mutts will hit the field for the 17th annual Puppy Bowl on the new Discovery + streaming service and Animal Planet (2 EST/11 PST), which drafts pint-sized pooches for a playful “game” of football. Photos of next month’s starting lineup are premiering exclusively on usatoday.com.

Despite production shutdowns across Hollywood amid COVID-19 safety concerns, Animal Planet still managed to pull off a fur-filled event even bigger than before.

Typically taped on a cozy Manhattan soundstage in early October, this year’s “Puppy Bowl” relocated to a hockey arena in upstate Glens Falls, New York, to accommodate social distancing. As a result, the puppies had a much larger field to play on when the game taped last fall.

“We’re finally shooting in a real sporting venue, even though we are technically a fake sporting event,” says longtime “ruffaree” Dan Schachner. “The scale of it is immense – it looks like a completely different show. It’s a supersized version of ‘Puppy Bowl,’ even though we have fewer dogs.”

“Puppy Bowl” usually features about 100 dogs, all of whom are adopted by the time the show airs on Feb. 7. This year’s game has70 puppy players from 22 shelters, mostly from the northeast rather than nationwide. “We had to restrict ourselves to shelters within driving distance,” says Erin Wanner, Animal Planet’s senior VP of production. “We also needed to keep the number of puppies lower because all the puppies come with shelter reps, and we were trying to keep the number of overall human beings down as much as possible.” People on set wore masks and were tested regularly during the weeklong shoot – a break from the usual one- to two-day day taping schedule. Production moved more slowly, with fewer staffers on hand to wash toys between takes and clean dog poop off the field. But the bare-bones approach had some advantages.  “The biggest thing we noticed is that with fewer toys there were fewer distractions,”  Schachner says. “This is going to sound ridiculous, but it was closer to human football. The puppies were focused on one ball or toy as opposed to 20. Plus, they were distanced (beforehand) and didn’t really meet each other and get to socialize the way they do in prior years, so maybe that made them more focused when they were on set.”

The show also has been bumped up from two hours to three, with new segments spotlighting adoption stories and puppies available to adopt from local rescue groups across the country.

“Dogs really are the silver lining of this crazy year,” Schachner says. “Adoptions have seen a huge uptick in shelters across the country. They can’t keep up with demand.” The New York-based actor and his family have fostered roughly three dozen dogs, including Bluey, an American Staffordshire terrier/Siberian Husky mix and player for Team Ruff in this year’s bowl.

Fostering is “a wonderful experience,” Schachner says. “It allows us to meet a variety of different dogs from all different walks of life and backgrounds, and get them ready for their forever homes.”

Therapy Dogs At School

Those who own a dog can attest to their ability to lift mood, improve stress and bring joy by simply being there, unanswering, seemingly all-knowing and always delighted to see you.  Therapy animals are known for their calm and comforting nature, giving people a way to relax, de-stress and interact with a loving pet.  They can help people feeling upset, lonely or those who have been in traumatic situations.  Therapy dogs have been used in hospices, residential homes, hospitals and more and more commonly in schools.  Poor mental health within the student population is rising, becoming a more concerning issue.  Schools are trying hard to tackle this and therapy dogs maybe part of the solution.

When questioning Reverend Cecil on the impact Lina has on our school community she replied, “I think Lina brings a lot of joy to JAGS.  Many pupils and staff come to visit Lina – to stroke her – touch her warm belly and silky ears- and leave feeling uplifted and a bit less stressed.  Lina is there, a warm, breathing, heart-beating creature that doesn’t judge you nor does she talk back.  Lina can listen and trust your knee to be her pillow.  Lina simply loves people – and in a school environment that can be stressful and tense, Lina brings something else.  She is simply there to greet you with a waggy tail and ‘tells’ you that all is going to be ok.  Some students come and sit with Lina to rehearse before an exam and some come and give Lina a stroke when they are upset.  And of course, it’s important to remember that Lina is a dog.  She is not left alone but sits in my office at all times.  This is important for the safety of the school but also give Lina a space to hide if and when she needs some space.”

Airlines For Animals

American Airlines says it will no longer allow emotional support animals starting next week.

The change matches a new Department of Transportation regulation that says airlines aren’t required to treat emotional support animals as service animals.

The DOT defines a service animal as a dog “trained to do work or perform tasks for the benefit of a qualified individual with a disability.”

Emotional support animals are prescribed by mental health professionals to provide comfort and support, but unlike service animals, they are not required to have training in specific tasks.

Animals that previously traveled as emotional support animals may travel as carry-on or cargo pets, the airline said.

“We’re confident this approach will enable us to better serve our customers, particularly those with disabilities who travel with service animals, and better protect our team members at the airport and on the aircraft,” said Jessica Tyler, president of cargo and vice president of airport excellence for American, in a news release.

The DOT rule was also prompted by an increase in service animal complaints from passengers with disabilities, misbehavior by emotional support animals, a lack of clarity around the definition of “service animal” and disruptions caused by “requests to transport unusual species of animals onboard aircraft,” according to the DOT.

Pigs and peacocks are among the unexpected animals that have previously flown as emotional support animals.

American says existing bookings for emotional support animals will be honored only through the rest of the month.

Starting February 1, American will require passengers traveling with service animals to electronically submit a DOT form in advance of a flight outlining the dog’s behavior, training and health. Authorization is valid for one year or until the expiration of the animal’s vaccinations.

American isn’t the first airline to update its policies to align with the DOT. On December 29, Alaska Airlines announced that it will no longer accept emotional support animals.

Animal Wellness

Costa Mesa, Calif.– Animal Wellness Center of OC, an 8,000-square-foot Holistic, Integrative animal care and aquatic conditioning facility opened in late August 2020. This first of its kind state of the art facility gives both pet parents and their four-legged family members a spa experience with wellness and recovery as the focus. The Animal Wellness Center of OC is located near the coastal beach cities at 449 W Bay Street, Costa Mesa, CA near the 55 and 405 freeways.

The business is owned by two women with successful careers in financial services and healthcare sales segments. Barb and Lourdes both share a passion for animals and created this beautiful facility for the community and their four-legged family members.

The Animal Wellness Center of OC is honored to be the first of its kind holistic wellness facility located in the heart of Orange County, California. They offer a broad range of holistic and integrative therapies under one roof with a focus on aquatic therapy and conditioning. Their collaborative Care Team of highly trained veterinarians, animal chiropractors, and aqua techs use the latest in animal rehabilitation techniques to provide pets with a customized treatment plan. A big part of their treatment plan incorporates water therapy in their 91 degree heated swimming pool. Hydrotherapy for dogs is a growing trend in canine physical therapy. Exercising in water has the benefit of providing buoyancy and resistance, making it possible to strengthen and condition muscles and builds endurance without placing stress on their joints. Many of their patients that come to the Animal Wellness Center of OC (AWCOC) are recovering from surgery, are arthritic, overweight, and in some cases paralyzed from more severe injuries, or simply learning to swim. Aquatic conditioning is part of the many wellness packages offered at AWCOC as part of their pet’s health and maintenance program.

At the Animal Wellness Center of OC the goal is to work hand in hand with the pet’s veterinarian. The combination of veterinarian or specialty vet and the AWCOC teams’ integrative approach has been shown to increase the recovery process and time. Their integrative therapies include acupuncture, hydrotherapy, aquatic conditioning, Chinese herbs, chiropractic care, laser therapy, massage therapy, pain management, rehabilitation therapies, and weight management.

Their passion for the wellness of their furry family members is why they only provide the best care and premium dog supplements to support their active lives. They exclusively offer Zenapet’s Immune Support and Zenapet’s Hip and Joint formulas to provide the highest quality ingredients to improve mobility and overall health of their pet patients. When combined with one of their aquatic therapies, Zenapet’s Hip and Joint formula has revolutionized 13-year-old golden retriever Jaxon’s range of motion. Within a month, Jaxon went from having no energy to being more comfortable on walks. “Jaxon doesn’t drag behind me, and his breath isn’t bad anymore either – the results are remarkable.” Remarkable results are why we exclusively offer Zenapet dog supplements.

The Animal Wellness Center of OC gives pet parents a wide range of wellness options, educational opportunities, and resources to help pet parents make informed decisions about caring for their pet. Through their restorative therapies, the AWCOC brings pets comfort and tranquility while also providing pet parents a sense of calmness and serenity.

Journey The Service Dog

ESA’s On Airlines

American Airlines is banning emotional-support animals in a move that will force most owners to pay extra if they want their pets to travel with them.

The airline said that it will allow animals in the cabin free of charge only if they are trained service dogs.

The change takes effect from Monday, although passengers who already bought tickets can fly with a companion animal until February 1.

The move follows a similar decision by Alaska Airlines and is likely to be copied by other carriers.

The US Transportation Department cleared the way for the crackdown against companion animals last month.

The company said passengers with a service dog will need to complete a government form vouching for the animal’s health, training and temperament.

Other animals, including dogs not trained as service dogs, will only be able to fly in the cargo hold or a kennel that fits under a seat in the cabin.

Either way, American will collect a pet fee ranging from 125 dollars to several hundred dollars.

Jessica Tyler, American’s president of cargo, said the rules will help passengers with service animals and protect employees on planes and in airports.

The number of passengers flying with companion animals grew rapidly in recent years, with some saying the animals helped them overcome anxiety and other issues.

Passengers only needed a note from a health professional, and a cottage industry sprang up to provide those notes along with vests and other accessories for their animals.

Airlines and particularly flight attendants took a more critical view, saying passengers were exploiting a loophole in federal regulations to avoid pet fees.

In a few cases, including some involving serious injuries, companion animals bit other passengers.

Last month, the Transportation Department settled the matter, siding mostly with the airlines. It said carriers were free to ban any animal other than dogs formally trained to help people with physical or psychological disabilities.

The department estimated that under the new rules airlines will scoop up 59.6 million dollars a year in pet fees.

Retired Service Dog

Horry County Police Department announced Tuesday the death of a retired service dog.

Bloodhound Shelley died Monday morning at 11.5 years old, the department said.

“It is with great sadness that we announce the passing of retired HCPD Bloodhound Shelley, who crossed over the rainbow bridge Monday morning at 11.5 years old,” the department tweeted.

Shelley served from 2011 to 2020 and was involved in more than 170 calls for service with a success rate of about 90%, according to the department.

The department asks people to keep Shelley’s handler, Stg. Miller, in their thoughts.

“Over the years, she located countless missing people and put even more behind bars,” Miller said. “Anyone who has ever been on a track with her can say how good she was. Even though she was retired, she still wanted to work every time she came out of the kennel. I’m just glad I had the privilege to hang on to the ‘dumb end’ of the lead for all those years.”

Vets Suffering From PTSD

It’s estimated that anywhere from 11% to 30% of military veterans experience post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) following their service, depending on the individual’s branch, years served and in what capacity. One way to help those struggling can be through the assistance of a service dog.

To help serve the nation’s heroes, U.S. Xpress Enterprises Inc. has partnered with Warrior Freedom Service Dogs, a nonprofit organization based in the Chattanooga area that’s dedicated to connecting combat veterans who are suffering from PTSD to trained service dogs, which are rescued from area animal shelters, free of charge.

“From our drivers to shop teams to our office staff, military veterans make up a significant portion of our workforce,” said Eric Fuller, president and CEO of U.S. Xpress. “Warrior Freedom Service Dogs is doing amazing work in pairing veterans struggling with the debilitating effects of post-traumatic stress with a canine specially trained to provide comfort and support.”

In addition to a monetary donation to help fund dog training, U.S. Xpress is providing a range of in-kind multimedia and communications services, including the development of virtual training content to help reach more veterans. Ultimately, the goal is to help train and match more dogs and veterans, identify fundraising and awareness opportunities with company team members, and even help with raising puppies and weekend fostering.

“This generous support from U.S. Xpress will help drive awareness of the work we’re doing and ultimately, help more of our military vets,” said Adam Keith, executive director for Warrior Freedom Service Dogs.

U.S. Xpress is annually ranked as a top Military-Friendly Company by organizations such as Viqtory and DiversityComm, as well as the Military Times and U.S. Veterans magazines. About 11% of U.S. Xpress drivers and 5% of the company’s office workforce are military veterans. In addition to Warrior Freedom Service Dogs, U.S. Xpress supports the Post 9/11 GI Bill Apprenticeship Program, The National Medal of Honor Heritage Center, Wreaths Across America and more.