Waving The BS Flag
Every day I see dog stories that are…well, frankly, bull.
Nowhere do I see this problem more than with the almost constant daily barrage now of feelgood stories about dogs doing wonderful things for military people, both active duty and veterans, particularly those who are suffering with post-traumatic stress as their primary issue. Problem is, when you look closer and you know what to look for, there’s a lotta bull in those stories. Well-meaning bull, but bull nonetheless.
“VHA’s Guide And Service Dog Program Could Not Ensure That All Qualified Veterans Received The Opportunity To Benefit From Service Dogs”
That quote is from this audit report published a few days ago by the Department of Veterans Affairs Office of the Inspector General, a report that confirms what many, including me, have been saying for years.
“Audit of Guide and Service Dog Program”
If you’re not aware of the long history on this subject, see these previous posts, the first of which I wrote 15 months ago after I’d already held off writing it for over a year:
“Out Of Everything I’ve Done To Try And Improve My Life, Nothing’s Even Come Close To Getting My Service Dog, Napal”
I’ve written about my friend Air Force veteran Jason Morgan and his Canine Companions for Independence service dog Napal before here, here, and here.
This short news video from KXAS in Dallas yesterday pretty much speaks for itself and really captures them very well.
“Local Veteran’s Life Changed By A Dog”
Veterans With Service Dogs Are Now Eligible For VA Benefits, But May Need To Reapply
NOTE: I previously incorrectly referred to the VA payments as a monthly stipend. I’ve made those corrections here and on other posts as well. There’s enough misinformation on the subject of service dogs out there already without me adding to it – my apologies.
My friend Christina Roof at AMVETS just posted a reminder about this a few days ago, which reminded ME that I shoulda put this up when it first happened in April, and didn’t (no good reason).
OIF Veteran And Canine Companions For Independence Graduate Matt Keil Talks About ‘Homes For Our Troops’
KDVR Channel 31 in Denver just did a great news story a coupla days ago with Canine Companions for Independence graduate Matt Keil and his wife Tracy promoting a wonderful organization, Homes For Our Troops, who built their beautiful house. Matt’s CCI Service Dog Gus, who was raised in the prison program at the Kit Carson Correctional Center in Burlington, Colorado, makes a brief working appearance in the video, too.
So Tell Me Again – What Exactly Is Your Program For Training Service Dogs?
I went looking a couple days ago for a detailed description of the most well-promoted ’service dogs for veterans’ organization’s training program – couldn’t find it, which really surprised me.
Funny thing is, I was actually trying to give them a break, not pick on them. I felt like I might’ve been too tough on their program lately and wanted to find something good that’d change my mind and give me more confidence in them.
Warrior Games – More Thoughts
I’ve been trying to come up with a way to sum up the Warrior Games experience of the last coupla weeks, and I’m really having a hard time – it was one of the most wonderful experiences of my life and truly a first-ever event in more ways than one.
Warrior Games Opening Ceremonies
Having gone to the opening ceremonies today, I can tell you it’s already become apparent on the very first day that the Warrior Games is a unique and very special event, and it’s not gonna be possible for me to even begin to keep up with it here.
So, I’ll just give you a coupla neat things to look at which, given my military background, not surprisingly have a definite Air Force bent.
Air Superiority At The Warrior Games: Air Force’s Jason Morgan And Napal
It’s been my great privilege over the last three days to spend a lot of time around the Air Force team that’s here in Colorado Springs to compete in the first-ever Warrior Games, including Canine Companions for Independence graduate Jason Morgan and his service dog Napal II, who I wrote about a few days ago in this post.
Jason and Napal visiting with Lt Ryan McGuire at the Air Force Academy track.
Canine Companions for Independence Graduate Competing in Warrior Games
Here are two brand new videos with quick glimpses of the Canine Companions for Independence graduate team of Air Force wounded veteran Jason Morgan and Service Dog Napal II training here in Colorado Springs for the inaugural Warrior Games next week.
They can be seen zipping around the track at the one minute point of this Today Show video:
And also about 30 seconds into this local news story from KOAA Channels 5 and 30:
keep looking »About Me
I'm very active with Canine Companions for Independence as a former member of the Veterans Task Force and puppy raiser. Retired US Air Force Chief Master Sergeant with my last assignments at the Air Force Academy as the Fourth Group Sergeant Major and Dean of Faculty Superintendent.
I'm actively looking for a paid position doing what I already do full-time as a volunteer.
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