Posted on Dec 6, 2013
What is your opinion about Service Dogs used to help a Veteran through his/her personal battle with Combat PTSD?
7.57K
131
58
15
15
0
Should they be made more readily available? Should this be reduced as an option for treatment? Should the VA provide more assistance and education on this alternative?
Posted in these groups: 
PTSD
PTSD
Posted 11 y ago
Responses: 27
9
9
0
I would love to have one for my husband. I think the program should be available through the VA. Wouldn't it be great if a partnership could be made with local dog shelters to rescue some of the dogs? Now that's a program that helps and gives back:0)
(9)
(0)
CW3 Kevin Storm
I would check with the VA to ask. My facility trains them, so there is a program. If recall their is a long waiting list.
(0)
(0)
8
8
0
It's an awesome and proven benefit.
Read more about them:
http://www.ptsd.va.gov/public/pages/dogs_and_ptsd.asp
Read more about them:
http://www.ptsd.va.gov/public/pages/dogs_and_ptsd.asp
Describes dogs as pets, service animals, and emotional support animals and discusses what is known about the role of dogs in PTSD recovery.
(8)
(0)
SMSgt (Join to see)
Concur; no expertise on this subject but we need to give these guys anything that works. We need to figure out a way to better prep these guys for what is coming. Prebriefs can only do so much; I just don't know any cure for being green.
(7)
(0)
6
6
0
i have an ex daughter in law that works for the tex DOC with the paws for patriots program and have seen first hand what these service animals do for a injured, disabled veterans that I am in support of any program that helps them out. I have been in the health care field for 24 years after about 6 differnet jobs before going thru the texas paramedic program. And have seen a lot of vets come thru the hospital that i work at that really need that type of care and either cannot get it at the local VE center or not provided at all.
(6)
(0)
5
5
0
No solution is 100%. That being said. I know from personal experience the presence of any friendly dog lowers my stress level. If it helps one of us then, it's worth the expense.
(5)
(0)
5
5
0
I think dogs are very therapeutic in helping with PTSD and mental affliction. They sense emotion, and when they know something is wrong they respond with comfort and affection. There are organizations out there that provide service dogs to disabled Veterans as well as families who have lost loved ones overseas I do believe. The VA should implement this as an option to their PTSD and mental health programs. Even if they can not provide a dog, at least provide information to a veteran/service member to a means of getting one. However certain breeds can be expensive so I don't think you'll just be handed one for free (unless you find an organization that does so) but you may be offered discounts if you qualify. I could be wrong but that's how I see it.
(5)
(0)
SPC Sven Pacot
That is a fantastic idea. I really wish this idea would be broadcasted better. I have heard too many stories of other Vets getting in trouble or ending their own lives due to PTSD and other mental struggles that perhaps could have been avoided by counseling and even a service dog. I do know denial plays a HUGE role, as I just escaped that burden and now I am doubling up on counseling and in process of getting a service dog myself.<br>
(3)
(0)
(2)
(0)
5
5
0
SFC (Join to see)
I believe this program to be a valuable resource for our soldiers. I recently finished my tour as a WTB Platoon Sergeant and while there I had 4 soldiers with Service Dogs and they benefitted greatly from the bonds they made with them.
(6)
(0)
5
5
0
I think it is a great thing. Think about it, we have felons who get them while serving a sentence, why not veterans. That and emotional support animals.
(5)
(0)
4
4
0
Having a son-in-law who came home with a raging case of PTSD, we have been waiting to get him into the program, but there are so many waiting.
Until He comes up on the list, the son-in-law has taken to carting around a rescue dog that we found under a dumpster... a tiny little Chiuahuah who weighs all of about 2 lbs. The sight is something to see, as my son-in-law is 6'4, and Fred the dog is small enough to fit inside the crook of his arm.
Whatever the relationship, it seems to work, so we just hope that more dogs will be available, because no one believes a shivering two pound dog is in any way, a service dog, so the Son-in-law rarely leaves the house except for his V A appointments.
(4)
(0)
SPC Sven Pacot
K9s for Warriors. Application with a few personal references (not family) and one doctor (does not need to be a psychiatrist or psychologist). Shortest "waiting" period.
http://www.k9sforwarriors.com
http://www.k9sforwarriors.com
(0)
(0)
SPC Sven Pacot
By the way I live in SW Washington state and they have third party links to help finance travel to Florida. They don't service FL Vets only.
(0)
(0)
4
4
0
Unconditional love and devotion mixed with practical needs make these dogs good therapy for PTSD. Probably not a "cure-all" solution, but if it helps even one....isn't it worth it? I don't have first hand experience with this treatment solution, but everything I've read has been positive towards the program. I see no reason not to offer it to all who are willing to accept the responsibility.
(4)
(0)
4
4
0
This is a proven program that benefits its users. Anything that works should be made readily available to the people who need it most.
(4)
(0)
Read This Next
Continue with Facebook 
Continue with Google