Jul 27, 2009

If You Only Read One Book This Year, Read This One

Al , Service Dogs

A Big Little Life by Dean Koontz


That pretty much says it all.

Oh, I could say a lot more, but you can check the reviews and descriptions for yourself. Here’s two:

Publisher’s Description

Reader’s Digest Top 5 Summer Book Pick: A Big Little Life

I will say this…

If you like dogs, you will love this book.

If you’re involved with Canine Companions for Independence in any way, even more so – you will recognize and relate to many things in the book.

And if your CCI connection is with or you’ve been to the Southwest Regional Center in Oceanside, CA, that’s really the ultimate hook – there are many references specific to SWR that will strongly register with you.

But, hey, even if none of the above is true, read it, anyway – it’s a tremendous read, and by the time you’re done, it’ll make you want to do all those things.

Trust me – just get it and read it.

Jul 24, 2009

“Service Dogs For Veterans Act” Passes The Senate, But What Does That Mean?

Al , Service Dogs

Just saw the news that the much talked about “Service Dogs for Veterans Act” sponsored by Sen Al Franken was passed in the Senate as part of the larger FY2010 Defense Authorization bill:

“Franken’s Service Dog for Vets Bill Passes Senate”

Jeffrey Adams, first OEF/OIF vet to get a CCI service dog, pictured with his dog Sharif.
OEF/OIF veteran Jeffrey Adams and his CCI service dog Sharif.

I’ve posted the two major pieces of proposed Congressional service dog legislation here in the last week for anyone who’s interested in reading them, but, beyond that, I really don’t have any intention of discussing them in any detail.  Given my strong interest in this area, that probably surprises some people, but let me briefly explain why.

Largely it’s because I’m not a big believer in government ‘solutions’ to problems to begin with, and, in this specific area, the track record is not so hot, to put it politely.  Plus, between this legislation, things I see on the VA website, recent popular articles I’ve read that aren’t entirely accurate, private discussions that are taking place, and what we used to call “barracks lawyers” out there telling everybody “how it really is”, this has become a very confused subject.

Do I have problems and concerns with both of these bills and things I’d like to say?  You bet.  But there’s no point in me making things any more confused than they already are or possibly messing up something that’s already in progress, so I have been and will continue to be very careful in what I say. If I can’t add anything that’s helpful, doesn’t violate any confidences, and that I’m certain is accurate, it’s better to say nothing.

I don’t think it’s any big news, though, to say we are a long way from the shouting and the celebration here.  There’s a ton of stuff to be sorted out, and we need to keep a watchful eye and remember that “things aren’t always what they seem”.

Jul 23, 2009

Sergeant First Class Jared Monti Awarded Posthumous Medal of Honor

Al Veterans

It’s just been announced that Sergeant First Class Jared Monti from Raynham, MA has been awarded the Medal of Honor for his actions in Afghanistan in June 2006.

Here’s a must-watch three minute video:

You can read more details of his actions that day at Blackfive:

“SFC Jared Monti – Medal Of Honor (Afghanistan)”

Jul 22, 2009

“Franken – Isakson Service Dogs For Veterans Act” Introduced

Al , , , Service Dogs

The much discussed bill sponsored by Sen Al Franken, D-MN, was introduced on the floor of the US Senate today.

The actual bill is not online yet, but here’s the press release in its entirety for your review.

———————————————————————————————————————

Senators Franken and Isakson Introduce the Service Dogs For Veterans Act

Sen. Franken’s First Piece of Legislation Will Help Wounded Veterans

WASHINGTON DC [7/22/09] – Today Sen. Al Franken (D-Minn.) and Sen. Johnny Isakson (R-G.A.) introduced the Service Dogs for Veterans Act, which will set up a pilot program within the Department of Veterans Affairs to pair service dogs with veterans who have physical or mental wounds, including PTSD. This bipartisan legislation marks Sen. Franken’s first piece of legislation since taking office two weeks ago.

Additional co-sponsors are Sen. Lindsey Graham (R-S.C.), Sen. Mary Landrieu (D-L.A.), Sen. Mark Begich (D-A.K.), and Sen. Sherrod Brown (D-O.H.).

“As someone who’s spent time with our troops on USO tours to Iraq and Afghanistan, and met wounded warriors at Walter Reed and Bethesda, I feel a real obligation to the men and women who have risked life and limb on our behalf,” said Sen. Franken. “There’s a huge return on investment here. Service dogs can do amazing things, and there is evidence to suggest that increasing their numbers would reduce the alarming suicide rate among veterans, decrease the number of hospitalizations, and lower the cost of medications and human care.

“I believe it is enough simply to improve the lives of those of whom we asked so much. But this program isn’t just the right thing to do. It’s the smart thing to do. This small investment will pay dividends for these veterans for years to come.”

“I have seen firsthand the therapeutic effects of service dogs assisting individuals,” said Sen. Isakson. “The potential they bring for the therapy and treatment of soldiers with post-traumatic stress disorder and traumatic brain injuries should be studied.”

The Franken-Isakson Service Dogs for Veterans Act will:

· Pair a minimum of 200 veterans and dogs, or the minimum number necessary to produce scientifically valid results on the benefits of the use of the dogs (whichever is greater).

· Ensure that fifty percent of veterans participating in the pilot program will be those who suffer primarily from mental health disabilities, and fifty percent those who suffer primarily from physical injuries or disabilities.

· Direct VA to partner exclusively with non-profit agencies who do not charge for their animals, services, or lodging.

· Require VA to provide seed money to pay for the first fifty service dogs, and match its non-profit partners’ contributions for the rest of the service dogs.

· Continue the pilot program for at least three years; the Secretary of the VA must make annual reports to Congress on its implementation; the National Academies of Science is directed to study and report on the program’s effectiveness at the end of three years.

· The scientific study of the pilot program will study both the therapeutic benefits to veterans, including quality of life benefits reported by the veterans; and the economic benefits of using service dogs, including savings on health care costs, such as reduced hospitalization and prescription drug use, and productivity and employment gains for the veterans.

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http://is.gd/1I6WH

Jul 21, 2009

“Wounded Warrior K-9 Corps Act” Introduced in Congress Yesterday

Al , Service Dogs

I mentioned this one last week.  The bill, H.R. 3266, is cosponsored by Rep. Ron Klein, D-FL, and Rep. Ed Whitfield, R-KY, and was introduced on the floor yesterday by Rep. Klein.

Here’s the entire text for your review:

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HR 3266 IH

111th CONGRESS

1st Session

H. R. 3266

To establish a grant program to encourage the use of assistance dogs by certain members of the Armed Forces and veterans.

IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES

July 20, 2009

Mr. KLEIN of Florida (for himself and Mr. WHITFIELD) introduced the following bill; which was referred to the Committee on Armed Services, and in addition to the Committee on Veterans’ Affairs, for a period to be subsequently determined by the Speaker, in each case for consideration of such provisions as fall within the jurisdiction of the committee concerned

A BILL

To establish a grant program to encourage the use of assistance dogs by certain members of the Armed Forces and veterans.

    Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives of the United States of America in Congress assembled,

SECTION 1. WOUNDED WARRIOR K-9 CORPS.

    (a) Grants Authorized- Subject to the availability of appropriations provided for such purpose, the Secretary of Defense and the Secretary of Veterans Affairs shall jointly establish a program, to be known as the `Wounded Warrior K-9 Corps’, to award competitive grants to nonprofit organizations to assist such organizations in planning, designing, establishing, and operating programs to provide assistance dogs to covered members and veterans.
    (b) Use of Funds-
    • (1) IN GENERAL- The recipient of a grant under this section shall use the grant to carry out programs that provide assistance dogs to covered members and veterans who have a disability described in paragraph (2).
    • (2) DISABILITY- A disability described in this paragraph is any of the following:
      • (A) Blindness or visual impairment.
      • (B) Loss of use of a limb, paralysis, or other significant mobility issues.
      • (C) Loss of hearing.
      • (D) Traumatic brain injury.
      • (E) Post-traumatic stress disorder.
      • (F) Any other disability that the Secretary of Defense and the Secretary of Veterans Affairs consider appropriate.
    (c) Eligibility- To be eligible to receive a grant under this title, a nonprofit organization shall submit an application to the Secretary of Defense and the Secretary of Veterans Affairs at such time, in such manner, and containing such information as the Secretary of Defense and the Secretary of Veterans Affairs may require. Such application shall include–
    • (1) a proposal for the evaluation required by subsection (d); and
    • (2) a description of–
      • (A) the training that will be provided by the organization to covered members and veterans;
      • (B) the training of dogs that will serve as assistance dogs;
      • (C) the aftercare services that the organization will provide for such dogs and covered members and veterans;
      • (D) the plan for publicizing the availability of such dogs through a targeted marketing campaign to covered members and veterans;
      • (E) the recognized expertise of the organization in breeding and training such dogs;
      • (F) the commitment of the organization to comparable standards as that of the International Guide Dog Federation or Assistance Dogs International;
      • (G) the commitment of the organization to humane standards for animals; and
      • (H) the experience of the organization with working with military medical treatment facilities or medical facilities of the Department of Veterans Affairs.
    (d) Evaluation- The Secretary shall require each recipient of a grant to use a portion of the funds made available through the grant to conduct an evaluation of the effectiveness of the activities carried out through the grant by such recipient.
    (e) Definitions- In this Act:
    • (1) The term `assistance dog’ means a dog specifically trained to perform physical tasks to mitigate the effects of a disability described in subsection (b)(2), except that the term does not include a dog specifically trained for comfort or personal defense.
    • (2) The term `covered members and veterans’ means–
      • (A) with respect to a member of the Armed Forces, such member who is–
        • (i) receiving medical treatment, recuperation, or therapy under chapter 55 of title 10, United States Code;
        • (ii) in medical hold or medical holdover status; or
        • (iii) covered under section 1202 or 1205 of title 10, United States Code; and
      • (B) with respect to a veteran, a veteran who is enrolled in the health care system established under section 1705(a) of title 38, United States Code.
    (f) Authorization of Appropriations- There is authorized to be appropriated to carry out this Act $5,000,000 for each of fiscal years 2010 through 2014.

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http://thomas.loc.gov/cgi-bin/query/z?c111:H.R.3266:

Jul 19, 2009

So What’s Next? Cloned Service Dogs? This Is Creepy. Period.

Al Working Dogs

Assuming it’s true, of course.




“Cloned sniffer dogs begin duties”

Jul 13, 2009

Why You Don’t See Me Writing About Some Very Popular “Service Dogs For Veterans” Stories

Al , , , Service Dogs

If you ever see a service dog story, especially if it involves a wounded warrior or veteran with a disability, where everybody BUT me seems to be talking about it, chances are pretty good this is why – I wrote this post a little over three months ago, and it all still applies:

“Service Dogs, Veterans, and PTSD”

The only thing I’d change would be to change most, if not all, of the “PTSD” references to “post traumatic stress”. Uncle Jimbo definitely got my attention about not calling it a disorder with this “Post Traumatic Stress Disorder or Post Traumatic Stress Reaction?” post at the Warrior Legacy Foundation blog about six weeks after I’d written that, and I’ve tried to completely stop using the term ever since. I will still use the PTSD tag, but that’s simply a search thing that might help someone find something useful to them.

Other than that, though…I stand by what I said, even though I know it’s very much not the popular thing to say.  And I’m just gonna leave it at that.

Jul 12, 2009

“Wounded Warrior K-9 Corps Act” To Be Introduced in Congress

Al , Service Dogs

I don’t know enough about the contents of this proposed legislation yet to make any kind of informed comment, but I do want everyone to be aware that it has been announced:

“New legislation will provide service dogs to wounded veterans”

You can watch the following video to see Rep Ron Klein, D-Boca Raton, announcing the bill outside the Broward County VA Outpatient Clinic in Sunrise, FL:

“Bill would fetch more helpful Fidos for veterans”

More to follow, I’m sure.

Jul 10, 2009

Think That Prison Puppy Raising Program Is Unique? Think Again.

Al , Service Dogs

I keep seeing service dog places that promote their prison puppy raising program as if it was unique, the core element of their organization, and the biggest reason for you to support them.  Some even make claims that leave me shaking my head, because I have no idea what they’re basing those claims on.  For example, I just saw a story only a few days ago about a small organization in the Midwest that said theirs was “one of just three programs in the nation where a canine connection is made behind bars.”

The reality is that most, if not all, of the top ADI-accredited service dog organizations in the U.S. have very active prison puppy raising programs and have had them for many years.

prison-service-dog-puppy-raising-inmates

In fact, I can’t think of any major organization that DOESN’T have a program with inmates training puppies – there probably is one, but it’d be the exception.  Here are just a few that I’m aware of:

  • Canine Companions for Independence: 12 prison puppy raising programs in 9 states (AL, CA, CO, FL, MS, MT, OH, OR, WA); started in 1995.
  • NEADS:  14 prison partnerships in 4 states (CT, MA, RI, VT); started in 1998.
  • Canine Partners for Life: 5 prison programs in 2 states (MD, PA); started in 2000.
  • KSDS: Pooches & Pals program at the Topeka Correctional Facility, KS;  started in 1998.
  • Saint Francis Service Dogs: Program at Bland Correctional Center in VA; started in 2000.

Don’t get me wrong – I think these programs are tremendous.  But you sure don’t need to pick an organization based on it having a prison puppy raising program, nor should you.

And, to be honest, I have to wonder about any place that makes that kinda pitch, especially if it involves dogs going to veterans, which also isn’t unique. I know everybody’s looking for an angle to get your attention and stand out from the crowd, but having a prison puppy raising program doesn’t make you special – sorry.

Please just keep that in mind whenever you see one of these stories.  As I have said repeatedly, there are many great assistance dog organizations with long histories out there, and every one of them could use your support.  Evaluate the total program – ideally, based on the guidelines I’ve given you – and make your decisions based on that evaluation.