Paws and Stripes is a nonprofit that is close to my heart. They are an organization who provides service dogs free of charge to military veterans suffering from PTSD (post traumatic stress disorder) and TBI (traumatic brain injury). The group is a nationwide organization and we are so lucky to have one so close to us. Paws and Stripes uses red line dogs from local animal shelters. |
These are dogs that have not been adopted in a certain amount of time and the shelter is getting ready to put them down in order to have room for more animals that come in. PAS doesn't use just any dog, however. They still have to pass a series of tests that determines their ability to be used successfully as a service animal. Not all dogs can make appropriate service animals.
PAS then pairs the vet with the dog for a long and rigorous training program that not only includes the service dog training and handler training but also a mental health treatment plan in order to give a vet their best chance at living full lives.
There is nothing normal about war. It is a dangerous, tasking, and abnormal situation that many civilians simply cannot grasp. There are so many people out there don't realize the struggle our military members face when they come back from being overseas and fighting. So many people think that you can apply normal life decisions while in survival mode and it just isn't the case. This sort of ignorance makes it so hard on our military and vets because it adds a layer of guilt they already feel; whether it's guilt over their actions or guilt over not feeling guilty.
Dogs, and other animals, are able to bond as war buddies with our vets and active military because they don't judge based on normal life. Life is just life to them and emotions that are hard and difficult are simply things that need fixing and reassurance.
If you know a military vet who suffers from PTSD (it's not always in your face like the movies show) or TBI, please consider finding a Paws and Stripes group near you and donating. Organizations like this are so crucial and have really made an impact on the lives of our vets and what a better way to thank them than to help them help the men and women who have fought so hard to protect us and our rights in this country?
PAS then pairs the vet with the dog for a long and rigorous training program that not only includes the service dog training and handler training but also a mental health treatment plan in order to give a vet their best chance at living full lives.
There is nothing normal about war. It is a dangerous, tasking, and abnormal situation that many civilians simply cannot grasp. There are so many people out there don't realize the struggle our military members face when they come back from being overseas and fighting. So many people think that you can apply normal life decisions while in survival mode and it just isn't the case. This sort of ignorance makes it so hard on our military and vets because it adds a layer of guilt they already feel; whether it's guilt over their actions or guilt over not feeling guilty.
Dogs, and other animals, are able to bond as war buddies with our vets and active military because they don't judge based on normal life. Life is just life to them and emotions that are hard and difficult are simply things that need fixing and reassurance.
If you know a military vet who suffers from PTSD (it's not always in your face like the movies show) or TBI, please consider finding a Paws and Stripes group near you and donating. Organizations like this are so crucial and have really made an impact on the lives of our vets and what a better way to thank them than to help them help the men and women who have fought so hard to protect us and our rights in this country?