Service Dogs For PTSD
People across the country are turning to dogs for solace from the isolation and anxiety of the coronavirus crisis. Since the pandemic hit the U.S. just a few months ago, animal shelters have reported a whopping 70 percent increase in fostering and adoptions.
Veterans with PTSD, however, can’t access dogs so easily. They’ve been waiting 10 years for the VA to provide service dogs. In 2010, Congress mandated that the VA study the effectiveness of service dogs for veterans with PTSD. Today, a decade later, the VA has yet to complete the study due to its own errors. And the VA refuses to provide service dogs without further research.
With nearly 20 percent of post-9/11 veterans suffering from PTSD and 20 veterans committing suicide every day, this delay is cruel. Fortunately, Congress is considering legislation that would force the VA’s slow hand.
The PAWS for Veterans Therapy Act would create a five-year pilot program requiring the VA to fund service dogs for veterans with PTSD and other mental health conditions. The House passed the PAWS Act with flying colors in February. The Senate should quickly follow suit so that this urgently needed program can be signed into law.
Without VA support, many veterans with PTSD can’t access a service dog. Service dogs cost around $20,000, and nonprofits that train and place service dogs with veterans for free have lengthy wait times.
Moreover, a regular dog isn’t a viable substitute. Service dogs are specially trained to perform vital tasks. They know when a veteran is having a retraumatizing nightmare and wake them up by licking their face. They provide veterans with a sense of safety by watching their backs, which helps veterans go out to work, see friends, and live a full life. Importantly, only service dogs can accompany veterans everywhere they go.
Despite these benefits, the VA has long refused to provide service dogs to veterans with mental health conditions. Only veterans with a visual, hearing, or mobility impairment can access a service dog through the VA.
Why is the VA so scared of giving service dogs to veterans with PTSD?
According to the VA, it isn’t getting hung up on cost or discriminating against veterans with invisible disabilities. Rather, the problem is there isn’t enough research to support the use of service dogs for PTSD.
To be sure, clinical evidence is important. Yet numerous studies have already found service dogs are effective for veterans with PTSD. For instance, a Kaiser study found service dogs can reduce PTSD symptoms, improve interpersonal relationships, and lower the likelihood of substance abuse. Likewise, a Purdue University study found veterans with service dogs experienced a significant drop in PTSD symptoms.
The VA also claims service dogs are not an effective replacement for traditional PTSD treatments, such as exposure therapy and medications. This is a straw man. As prescribed in the PAWS Act, service dogs are a supplement to standard treatments. The bill requires veterans to be under the care of a VA mental health clinician in order to receive a service dog.
Finally, the VA raises the specter of unintended consequences. Even if service dogs have benefits, there might be countervailing negative side effects. This fear is baseless. The VA points to no study finding negative side effects when dogs are properly trained and carefully matched with veterans. Indeed, the only “evidence” the VA points to is its own botched and discontinued study, where the VA failed to vet the service dogs, and several dogs fell ill and two children were bitten.
In any event, the traditional treatments the VA touts aren’t risk-free. Psychiatric medications, for instance, come with a laundry list of serious potential side effects, including insomnia, anxiety, and sexual dysfunction. Service dogs, in contrast, are low-risk, high-reward. At worst, they’re clinically ineffective for some veterans. At best, they can save lives and the VA’s money as veterans’ symptoms and prescription cocktails subside.
Let’s take stock of the intimate comfort and crucial mental health support dogs have given us as we have sheltered-in-place, disconnected from loved ones and surrounded by widespread loss of life. And let’s make sure veterans with PTSD have access to the dogs they need, too.
The past decade has made clear that the VA can’t be trusted to do this on its own. Yet the time for action is now. The risk of veteran suicide is only predicted to grow as the pandemic winds down, and unemployment and financial stresses mount. It’s time for Congress to step in by passing the PAWS Act.
Veterans With Rescue Dogs
San Diego is home to the nation’s largest concentration of military personnel. It also has a staggering number of veterans who don’t have a place to live
And, even more alarming is the number every year who take their own lives.
As ABC 10News Anchor, Kimberly Hunt explains…a non-profit in San Diego lead by, and staffed by, veterans is looking to change that.
There are an estimated 1,100 homeless vets on the streets of San Diego. Statistically they commit suicide at a rate of 1.5 times higher than the general population.
Kyle Drake is president of Cammies and Canines Sanctuary… a veteran owned, faith bases non-profit helping veterans by providing, among other things transitional housing, structure, and therapy.
On this sprawling ranch in Dulzura, they’re given an opportunity.
But Cammies and Canines Sanctuary under the importance of companionship. It pairs each veteran with a rescue dog which has been schooled by their master trainers as a service animal.
Kyle’s construction company builds tiny homes on the property for each vet to have a sense of place. Tony’s pest control company, Mosquito Joes trains interested veterans to work in the pest control industry, and everyone is given a sense of responsibility and respect. With a goal of mission accomplished, that both veteran and canine have been rescued.
The organization has plans to expand into Texas and Ohio to get more veterans off the streets, and dogs out of kill shelters.
For all their efforts to help homeless veterans, ABC 10News, LEAD San Diego and sponsor, Batta Fulkerson chose the founder and current administration of Cammies and Canines Sanctuary as our 10News Leadership Award winner for the month of July.
To nominate someone for our 10News Leadership Award, click on link in this section.
A Helping Paw
A therapy dog dubbed “Dogtor” Loki is being celebrated for going above and beyond in the line of duty.
The two-year-old Rottweiler and Go Team Therapy Dogs are among the recipients of this year’s American Kennel Club (AKC) Paw of Courage awards. The program recognizes dogs that serve their communities and make an impact on the lives of their human counterparts.
In the case of Loki, the pooch and his owner, Caroline Benzel, a medical student at the University of Maryland School of Medicine, have worked throughout the pandemic to deliver more than 5,500 care packages to medical professionals working on the front line.
Since its launch, the project has taken off nationally, with similar campaigns started in eight other states. Through donations, Caroline and Loki have raised more than $80,000 to fund the kits, personal protective equipment (PPE), food, and supplies for health-care workers.
“We are thrilled to honor ‘Dogtor’ Loki and the Go Team Therapy Dogs with AKC Paw of Courage awards,” says AKC’s executive secretary, Gina DiNardo. “These canine heroes are bringing comfort and smiles during tumultuous times and these awards give us a chance to recognize the important work they are doing.”
Other 2020 Paw of Courage recipients include:
Jackson, an eight-year-old golden retriever;
Molly, a 10-year-old vizsla; and
Phoebe, a 10-year-old Belgian Tervuren.
“These therapy dogs have all adjusted to the changing times due to the global pandemic and continue their important work to comfort those in need,” AKC says.
Support Of Veterans
Are you a Tennessean who loves dogs, wants to support disabled veterans and would like to sport an inspiring specialty license plate on your vehicle? Then, Smoky Mountain Service Dogs needs your help to meet its goal of pre-selling 1,000 specialty plates this summer.
SMSD, located in East Tennessee, trains mobility assistance service dogs for veterans with service-connected physical and psychological disabilities.
The nonprofit has helped veterans, such as retired U.S. Army First Sgt. Charles Stewart, regain their lives.
“Sadie gives me confidence and the ability to be more mobile through her mobility assistance and calms me during my PTSD episodes,” Stewart said. “I find myself having structure back in my life just being with her 24 hours a day. My family has seen the change in me as my wife has commented that I show sides of me before I was ever in the service. I am truly blessed to have gone through this experience with Smoky Mountain Service Dogs.”
The nonprofit is an all-volunteer organization except for professional trainers so 95 cents of every dollar donated goes directly to the organization’s mission. It costs approximately $25,000 to train one mobility assistance service dog which the organization places with a deserving veteran at no cost to the veteran.
Smoky Mountain Service Dogs relies on grants, donations and fundraisers for operating expenses, and SMSD is accredited by Assistance Dogs International as the only accredited service dog organization located in Tennessee.
“To see the loving bond that develops between a veteran and his or her beloved service dog is extremely gratifying,” said Suzy Kitchens, co-founder of Smoky Mountain Service Dogs.
“With a service dog by their side, veterans’ lives and their families and communities are changed forever because the veteran can finally acclimate back into society after experiencing what most of us Americans will never truly understand.”
Puppy Love
First responders in Murrieta got recent doggie lovin’ courtesy of some very “artistic” pooches.
Active service dogs Grover and Stella, along with their service-dogs-in-training buddies — Benjamin, Pickles, Carter, Eclipse, and Raven — visited Loma Linda University Medical Center in Murrieta and delivered “paw-made”greeting cards for emergency care workers.
The pooches had some human help from Canine Support Teams, an organization that provides specially trained dogs to persons with disabilities. The artful greeting-cards idea began after CST temporarily closed its Menifee training facility to comply with the state’s coronavirus stay-at-home order. During the shutdown, the nonprofit kept busy by providing virtual training sessions to volunteers raising puppies at home, and it also took in dogs that had recently completed advanced training in the Prison Pups program but could not yet be delivered to their new handlers.
Looking for creative ways to keep the dogs engaged while humans were staying home, a group of CST staff and volunteers had the idea to put their pooches to work — with arts and crafts.
“We wanted to send a heartfelt thank you to all of the essential frontline workers helping our community stay safe during COVID-19,” said Carol Roquemore, founder and CEO of Canine Support Teams. “Our volunteers, staff, and pups came together to create these unique cards to hopefully put a smile on the faces of those working so hard to fight this pandemic.”
CST reopened its Menifee facility in late June with strict social distancing and cleaning protocols in place. With the reopening came outdoor greeting card deliveries from the pooches and handlers to workers at Loma Linda University Medical Center in Murrieta.
Although COVID-19 has presented challenges for CST — including increased financial need — the organization is back up and running, providing service dogs to those in need, including veterans and other clients who are navigating disabilities.
K-9 Loki
South Toms River Police Department K-9 Loki has been awarded a “Healthcare for K9 Heroes” Grant
Vested Interest in K9s Inc. is a 501(c)(3) nationwide charity located in East Taunton, Massachusetts, whose mission is to provide bullet- and stab-protective vests and other assistance to dogs of law enforcement and related agencies throughout the United States. The nonprofit is pleased to continue their “Healthcare for K9 Heroes” medical insurance program for 2020 which covers annual policy premiums. Since 2016, the charity has donated over $125,000 towards medical reimbursement programs for self-funded K-9 units.
Selected as 2020 recipients to date are: South Toms River Police Department, NJ, K-9 Loki; Grant County Sheriff’s Office, Washington, K-9 Hawk; Jasper Police Department, Indiana, K-9 Mack; Lone Oak Police Department, Texas, K-9 Basa; Clark County Sheriff’s Office, Illinois, K-9 Xena; Gloucester County Sheriff’s Office, Virginia, K-9 Zeus; Chelsea Police Department, Oklahoma, K-9 Eli; Allen Hospital-Unity Point, Iowa, K-9 Kaya; Wood County Constable, Texas, K-9 Juma; Maywood Police Department, NJ, K-9 Ryker; Beebe Police Department, Arkansas, K-9 Crank; Vermillion County Sheriff’s Office, Indiana, K-9 Zeus; Lewiston Police Department, New York, K-9 Shadow; Limestone County Constable, Precinct 3, Texas, K-9 Teddy; Blytheville Police Department, Arkansas, K-9 Niko; Richmond Police Department, Rhode Island, K-9 Bico; Kenosha City Police Department, Wisconsin, K-9 Mani; Villa Hills Police Department, Kentucky, K-9 Onexx; Orange County Sheriff’s Office, Indiana, K-9 Finn; Canisteo Village Police Department, NY, K9 Dex; and Cumberland Police Department, PA, K9 Finn.
The “Healthcare for K9 Heroes” grant is awarded to departments who have the financial burden of raising funds to support their K-9 unit, who have no more than three K-9s, and who have previously been awarded a vest through Vested Interest in K9s Inc. Law enforcement dogs ages 2 through 7 are eligible. The annual medical reimbursement insurance policy, administered by Trupanion, will cover illnesses, injuries — including those sustained in the line of duty — diagnostic testing and therapies. The plan allows the freedom to use any licensed veterinarian, specialty center, or emergency hospital in the United States.
Trupanion, a leader in medical insurance for cats and dogs, offers injury and illnesses coverage for working and service dogs — both on and off duty. For nearly two decades, Trupanion has given pet owners and working dog owners peace of mind so they can focus on their dog’s recovery, not financial stress. Trupanion is honored to support these brave K-9 heroes and is committed to providing the highest value in medical insurance to help them receive the best veterinary care.
Service Dog Sinatra
Sinatra is a Golden Retriever Service Dog who has been traveling throughout North America (USA, Canada, and Mexico) since December 2016. The Travel Dog not only loves to make tours and stopover different places but also to spin interesting stories and share fun facts related to every place he visits. Currently, the @alfrescodog has over 175k followers on Instagram. The owner of this adventurous dog feels a strong connection with Sinatra and finds meaning in the duo-travels they make. While sharing his thoughts related to what he does, he said: “The account’s objective is to inspire people to take their dogs with them and explore life together. To strengthen the bond between humans and dogs. Whether that’s a long road trip or going out for a stroll in a different part of town, we believe there’s adventure everywhere.”
Traveling is considered to be one of those activities that allow the traveler to feel connected with nature. While it is not always possible for everyone to take out time from their busy lives to taste the pleasures of adventuring into unknown lands, social media has enabled millions of people to partially fulfill this desire by following and living vicariously through those who have been there. @alfrescodog is one such Instagram account that allows you to not only view amazing pictures of a Golden Retriever dog while he travels the world but also to read the stories that make all those places unique.
To illustrate the quality of the stories shared by this traveling dog, have a look at the above picture. Sinatra was visiting Miami, Florida, where he posed for this photograph. And like hundreds of stories shared on his Instagram account, this one also gained a lot of traction. Here he narrates a Gilded Age upper-class story about love, infidelity, blackmail, a big scandal, humbler beginnings, and a great comeback. He moves on to share a detailed account of the whole plot in several posts, which can be found on his Instagram page.
Or how about the picture below? Here he tells us the story behind the Margherita pizza. Its toppings are basil (green), mozzarella cheese (white), and tomato sauce (red). Did you know they represent the colors of the national flag of Italy?
Elderly Pooch Abandoned
The black labrador is believed to have been abandoned outside a kennels in Upchurch, Kent, by its owner of ten years.
Swale Borough Council workers are desperately trying to track down the dog’s owner.
The council’s Stray Dogs Service posted pictures of the note and the dog on Facebook.
The service, which said the dog had not been micro-chipped, said: “This elderly black labrador was found tied up to railings at Jasmil Kennels this morning. We would very much like to speak to the owner to establish why the dog has been abandoned.
“If you recognise him and can be of any assistance, please contact the council in confidence or message this page. He will now be taken into our care.”
A spokesperson for the council added: “If an owner is struggling with their dog, this is not the way to deal with it.
“Rehoming is the last option, but this isn’t the way to do it, so we would appreciate any information we can get so we can speak to the owner.”
The handwritten note read: “Please can you take me in as my owner has abandoned me after 10 years because I have not learnt to be good so I have been returned here where he found me.”
Animal charities have spoken out recently over fears that many British households will be abandoning or rehoming dogs after impulse buys during lockdown. The numbers of animals being cared for by the RSPCA has risen by more than 1,500 to 5,600 during the pandemic.
And while 16,519 animals were reported abandoned to the RSPCA between June and August 2019 – around 30 per cent of the total that year – they now fear that number will increase even more this year, as lockdown eases and people continue to struggle financially.
Animal welfare charity Blue Cross says their biggest concern now is puppies that were bought during lockdown may not have had chance to socialise with other dogs – making them more unruly when lockdown lifts.
The Finders Book
Dog lovers know the healing a beloved pet can bring — offering compassion and unconditional love as one deals with grief, loneliness and emotions. Just plain companionship is a bonus. But service dogs give even more as Jeffrey B. Burton shows in “The Finders.”
This launch of a new series works well as a tale about the bond between humans and dogs as well as a private detective novel. As a dog trainer, Mason “Mace” Reid often is running obedience trials for family pets. But his specialty in training dogs in human remains detection (HRD) pays him a lucrative salary and makes him a valuable consultant to Chicago area police departments. He already has three perfectly trained dogs, but his new golden retriever Vira has proven herself to be one of the most astute dogs he has ever trained. When she helps him find a young woman who has been kidnapped, Vira and Mace become targets of a serial killer who has terrorized the Chicago area for years.
Readers will want to know immediately how the dogs fare — each is fine and they enjoy treats and lots of play time between jobs.
Burton keeps “The Finders” on a short leash as he melds solid suspense with a strong look at how service dogs work and enhance investigations. Vira is a true heroine but Burton makes sure to keep her behavior and skills believable. Her abilities are in keeping with the heightened sense of smell that dogs possess. Vira is a great dog, but she’s a dog not a person with four legs. In Mace, Burton sculpts an intriguing character — an appealing, likable man who has found comfort in dogs but also knows how to have relationships with people.
“The Finders” firmly puts Burton in the growing category of mystery authors whose sturdy plots show how service dogs work with people in solving crimes. Readers will look forward to more adventures of Mace, Vira and the rest of the pack.
Service Dog Finds Family
Dayton 24/7 Now teamed up with 4 Paws for Ability to feature a Service Dog in Training over the last year and a half to show his journey to service. In June 2020, Freddie was matched with the Sneed family to assist their daughter Lizzie.
Dayton 24/7 Now’s Kristen Cornett talked with the family via Zoom about how Freddie will help Lizzie in her everyday life.
