Service Dogs For Vets

Noel7 · ‎03-09-2010

I watched a wonderful PBS documentary the other night about saving dogs from shelters and turning them into incredible service dogs for the disabled and for veterans.

An online group, K9s For Warriors reports that every 65 minutes a veteran commits suicide. Many suffer from head injuries and PTSD but many lives are being saved when they are matched with a service dog. The dogs are able to do amazing things, including butting themselves between their vet and someone else if there is trouble or an anger flash. The dogs are able to read human emotions.

The shelter dogs are also trained to aid physically disabled vets and non-vets. From turning on lights, opening drawers and cupboards to barking for help if needed.

They wear an identifying jacket on their back and accompany their people everywhere.

They are saving lives.

QueenDanceALot · ‎04-18-2013

I've seen stories about K9s for Warriors.

Wonderful organization.

God Bless Them and the Vets and their Dogs.

Noel7 · ‎03-09-2010

@QueenDanceALot

The dogs in the PBS documentary were rescue shelter dogs. The service men interviewed said they felt a bond with the dogs right away because no one wanted those dogs and no one wanted the vet.

It was hard to watch, I cried through a lot of it.

The trainers were volunteer women in prison, some lifers. Most had spent years training dogs in prison and living with them in their cell. They said it gave their life meaning.

MickD · ‎03-10-2010

I must be in a fugue state right now....where did the posts go.....medic!

Where have you gone, Joe DiMaggio? A nation turns its lonely eyes to you.... ~ S & G

MickD · ‎03-10-2010

Oops....wrong thread.....I'm okay.....this iPad ......gurrr

Where have you gone, Joe DiMaggio? A nation turns its lonely eyes to you.... ~ S & G

Noel7 · ‎03-09-2010

Hi @MickD

This is a separate line from the complaint about dogs in grocery stores.

I thought about putting this up the other day, imo service dogs for vets and disabled others is a miracle that can happen and save lives.

I've been interested in the subject for years.

QueenDanceALot · ‎04-18-2013

@Noel7 wrote:
@QueenDanceALot

The dogs in the PBS documentary were rescue shelter dogs. The service men interviewed said they felt a bond with the dogs right away because no one wanted those dogs and no one wanted the vet.

It was hard to watch, I cried through a lot of it.

The trainers were volunteer women in prison, some lifers. Most had spent years training dogs in prison and living with them in their cell. They said it gave their life meaning.

Oh, Noel, I would have cried through it, too.

RedTop · ‎09-01-2010

I see service dogs with several veterans at our local VA clinic. The last time my husband was in radiology for testing, a veteran came in with the largest, and most beautiful service dog I have ever seen. That dog was the size of a Shetland pony. Most of the service dogs I've seen with veterans in the past, are labs, German Shepherds, and retrievers, but I was pretty sure this dog was a Great Pyrenees. I wanted to pet that dog so bad! The dog was so focused on his owner and following commands, he/she acted like no one else was in that waiting area.

Noel7 · ‎03-09-2010

@RedTop wrote:
I see service dogs with several veterans at our local VA clinic. The last time my husband was in radiology for testing, a veteran came in with the largest, and most beautiful service dog I have ever seen. That dog was the size of a Shetland pony. Most of the service dogs I've seen with veterans in the past, are labs, German Shepherds, and retrievers, but I was pretty sure this dog was a Great Pyrenees. I wanted to pet that dog so bad! The dog was so focused on his owner and following commands, he/she acted like no one else was in that waiting area.

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@RedTop

That's a wonderful story! I know one Great Pyrenees, they are truly a marvelous and beautiful dog.

momtochloe · ‎11-03-2013

I am a huge fan of Service Dog Project which raises Great Danes to help those with mobility issues. They do a lot of work with veterans both with providing help for those that are physically challenged but also for those that may need some emotional support.

They have 24/7 cameras set up that you can watch their dogs throughout their day from work to play on their 6 or 7 (I've lost track) cameras: They just had a litter of puppies a few weeks ago:

http://explore.org/live-cams/player/great-dane-service-puppies-indoor-puppy-room

God bless these groups that help our vets!