Service Dogs for Veterans

Memorial Day is a day off work for most people.  Let us not forget it is an actual holiday meant to honor the men and women who died in service to this country.

Regardless of your opinions about the conflicts of the last ten years, there is no denying that men and women have fought hard on behalf of this country.  Some return home in body bags.  Others return with serious physical and mental injuries that will haunt them for the rest of their lives.

In recent months, a few news articles have appeared stating a shocking fact.  The Department of Veteran’s Affairs does not provide assistance animals for the treatment of post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD).  They will only provide assistance animals for veterans who are physically disabled.  While the VA planned to study the impact assistance animals made on veterans with PTSD, the study has been halted. 

Furthermore, the ADA rules were recently tightened so that emotional support animals do not qualify as service animals.  An establishment could legally refuse to allow an assistance animal on the premises unless it helped someone with a physical disability. 

Anecdotal evidence alone shows that veterans suffering from PTSD benefit tremendously from their dogs.  Several organizations are trying to provide veterans with the dogs they need since the government is not going to help.  I have links at the end of this post that provide you with more information about the topic as well as a couple of organizations that assist.

This is a tragedy.  I urge you to contact your Congress person and tell him or her that the VA study should resume as quickly as possible.  They should also reconsider the ADA rules.  Emotional support animals are valuable and should have the same status that is provided to assistance animals for people with physical disabilities. 

Given Congress’ track record, please consider supporting organizations that train service dogs for veterans.  While we are waiting for Congress and the Department of Veteran’s Affairs to do SOMETHING, veterans can get the help they need from private sources.

Have a safe Memorial Day.

Rescue Mommy

Reference links:

http://www.prosthetics.va.gov/index.asp

http://www.prweb.com/releases/2013/1/prweb10377254.htm

http://www.puppiesbehindbars.com/about.asp

http://www.cnn.com/2012/06/07/us/cnnheroes-cortani-veterans-dogs/index.html

http://www.cnn.com/2012/11/09/us/cnnheroes-ptsd-service-dogs/index.html?iid=article_sidebar

 

Book Review: Comet's Tale

Comet’s Tale:  How the Dog I Rescued Saved My Life by Steven D. Wolf with Lynette Padwa

A friend of mine gave me this book for Christmas.  I immediately asked, “Does the dog die at the end?”  He was somewhat confident that the dog did not but was not sure.  I flipped open the book and saw the story began in 2000.  It is now 2013.  I bet that dog dies, I thought.

I hesitated for weeks to read the book.  After losing three pets in four years, I cannot stand to read a “dog book” with a negative outcome.  I do not think I will spoil the story by telling you it is safe to read the book.  Comet does not die at the end.

The book begins with Steven Wolf being fired from his job as a lawyer.   His partners feel his medical condition make him unpredictable, a liability.  Then, he moves to Sedona, Arizona to escape the brutal Nebraska winters that make his debilitating back condition even more painful.  His wife and daughters remain behind in Nebraska.  Mr. Wolf is now alone and in pain.  The life he knew is gone.  The future he must have imagined – continued professional success, happy children, thriving marriage – is now just a dream.  He must have felt incredible isolation and hopelessness.

Then, he has the good fortune to meet a lady from a local Greyhound rescue group.  Some weeks later, he adopts Comet, a beautiful greyhound who transforms his life.

What follows is a tale of quiet courage from a dog who was left behind at a race track.  We learn a little bit about the deplorable conditions these elegant creatures endure in the name of “sport.”  The main focus of the story, though, is the relationship between Steven Wolf and Comet.  The dog goes from pet to caregiver with ease.  Mr. Wolf describes many situations in which Comet’s devotion to him outweighed the fear she must have felt.

I really liked this book.  Mr. Wolf does a great job in describing Comet’s quiet dignity.  He is also blunt about how his medical problems pulled him away from those he loved.  He is candid when discussing the relationships with his wife and daughters. 

As I read the book, I often thought that Comet saved his life.  She provided more than physical support.  At times, I got the impression that she was his only link to the outside world.  Without her, I question whether or not Mr. Wolf could have kept on living.

On the dust jacket, Jeffrey Moussaieff Masson says the book makes him want to adopt a greyhound.  He is right.  After you read this book, you want to know more about this elegant breed.

The only criticism I have is the book lacks pictures.  I want to see Comet!  I suppose the dog on the dust jacket is her.  Frankly, I do not have the courage to scour the Internet for photos.  I am afraid I will learn the inevitable has happened – and I do not want to think about that.  I prefer to hang onto the happy story of a dog who saved the life of a grateful man.

Rescue Mommy

Service Dogs Help in so Many Ways

A couple of weeks ago, I read a great article about service dogs in the USA Weekend circular that accompanies our local newspaper. Traditionally, when you think of service dogs, you might think of seeing eye dogs. A dog’s job has expanded so much beyond assisting the blind. The article tells you about all the fantastic ways dogs help us. Here is a link:

http://www.usaweekend.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=2012303090016

I hope you enjoy the article as much as I did.

Rescue Mommy