Marines

Jul 17, 2011

There’s A Media Bias, Just Not Necessarily The One You Think

Al , Veterans, Video

Very good TEDx Talk video here from Jonathan Kuniholm, a retired Marine OIF veteran who lost his right arm to an IED and is very involved with advanced prosthetics work. (Can’t say I know Jonathan well, although I did actually have the pleasure of talking to him on the phone last year.)

“TEDxChapelHill – Jonathan Kuniholm – “We have the technology, right?”"

Maybe a little longer at 16+ minutes and with more detail than you care for unless you have an interest in prosthetics, but still great, nonetheless, and, if nothing else, I want you to key on one thing  – what he says at 3:30 in. It applies to many things (including service dogs, especially where veterans are involved), and you need to keep it mind with any story you see now.

The whole point of his talk is how the public’s perception of prosthetics is that they are much farther along technologically than is actually the case, and that the reason for that perception is this:

“This is a reflection, I believe, of a media bias. It’s not the bias that many of you might think – a left or right political bias. It’s, in fact, an affection the media has on our behalf for really good stories and really bad stories.”

He then goes on to talk about his appearance on 60 Minutes with an advanced prosthetic, and how that was portrayed vs the reality of the situation:

Jonathan Kuniholm on 60 Minutes

“In fact, here I am on 60 Minutes demonstrating some skin surface EMG sensing technology, and a hand that was supposed to come out last year and hasn’t come out yet. And even after I was very careful… I spent probably half the day telling 60 Minutes that the real story here was about the economics of providing arms, and what we got was a minute and a half of gee-whiz, thought-controlled arms. That’s something that’s very distressing to me.”

And I know why it’s distressing to him, too. Because of that story, people looking for a prosthetic like that come to him, and he has to be the “bad guy” and tell them they aren’t available yet.

While my situation is certainly not the same as Jonathan’s, I definitely know what it’s like to be the “bad guy”, because I’ve had to tell a number of people that something they’ve been led to believe by the media about service dogs isn’t exactly accurate, and it’s not a lotta fun.

I’m convinced that that feelgood factor – the unwillingness of the media many times to go beyond the superficial and do the hard research required to tell an accurate story – is perhaps the number one problem we have with service dogs. And the only way I know to fight it is for you to do what they (and most of the public) won’t -  go beyond the superficial, look deeper, do the hard research, get the real story.

Jul 4, 2011

Four Videos For July Fourth

Al , , , , , , Service Dogs, Veterans, Video

Four videos in honor of the holiday and those who’ve paid the price so we can all enjoy it. Three I’ve posted before, the last is a new one from Thursday.

All four are Canine Companions for Independence veteran graduates, I’m proud to say I know all of these men personally, and, in each case, their injuries were sustained in the line of duty.

In addition, today is Sam Cila’s Alive Day – he was injured in an IED attack on July 4, 2005.

 

“Calvin Smith and Chesney”

 

“Sam Cila and Gillian”

 

“Jason Morgan and Napal”

 

“Jay Huston and Timo”

 

Jun 6, 2011

“VA Trauma Center Treats Most Grievously Wounded Troops”

Al , , , Link, Service Dogs, Veterans

Palo Alto — Marine Lance Cpl. Jorge Ortiz, 19, of Fresno, who was critically injured in an explosion in Afghanistan, rests at the Polytrauma Rehabilitation Center at the Department of Veterans Affairs hospital in Palo Alto, where physicians and therapists take a team approach to care for those who have suffered catastrophic injuries. PHOTOGRAPH BY: Mark Boster / Los Angeles Times“VA trauma center treats most grievously wounded troops”

“Despite your injuries, you’re still a Marine and the Commandant has ordered you to cooperate with the doctors and therapists and get back in the fight.”

Saw this one over the weekend, again via Soldiers Angels Germany.

There’s lots you can take from this story – that comment really got a lotta people’s attention including mine. It’s another in a series of articles by Tony Perry of the LA Times, one of which I’ve previously linked here, and as MaryAnn Phillips at SAG says, he “has done some terrific reporting about the 3/5 Marines…”.

The other thing that stuck out for me was this, something I keep bringing up because we can’t lose sight of it:

“The number of troops suffering amputations and other catastrophic injuries is increasing as the U.S. counter-insurgency strategy requires them to leave the protection of heavily armored vehicles and do more foot patrols to help win support from Afghan civilians.

Also increasing are the numbers of personnel suffering a kind of wound — traumatic brain injury — that may leave no outward marks but can inflict lasting damage.”

May 24, 2011

If You Want To Win Medals At The Warrior Games, Get A Canine Companions For Independence Dog

Al , , , Service Dogs, Standard, Veterans

Warrior Games swimming medals ceremony. Photo by Pat Cabel from SemperFiSports.

OK, not really (nice idea, though).

Warrior Games Closing Ceremonies Saturday night were overwhelming. It was great to see so many friends, especially wearing medals, and I wanna thank my good friend Damian Orslene (one of those wearing a medal) for inviting us and allowing us to celebrate with him.

The final Canine Companions for Independence graduate medal count was: 1 Gold, 2 Silver, 4 Bronze. Lance Weir with 1 Gold, 1 Silver, and Jason Morgan with 1 Silver, 4 Bronze.

Now, the truth is, I can’t guarantee any medals if you get a CCI dog, and neither would they. I can tell you, though, that CCI was very well represented throughout the Games by these two guys and Susan Katz from US Paralympics, and I know of a number of conversations that took place and team members who are very seriously considering applying for a dog.

Jokes aside, their presence and those conversations helped dispel a few of the biggest misconceptions that are still around and will probably never go away. Not necessarily in this order or a complete list, and there is some overlap between them, but here’s a few of the main ones:

  • “Hey, I’m a very active person, compete in (fill in the athletic event), and it doesn’t seem right for me to have a dog.” I’m willing to bet that you could still use help with things like, for example, picking up stuff in your room or at home. Two different deals.
  • “I don’t wanna take a dog from somebody else who might need it more.” Maybe the biggest one I hear, especially from military people (no surprise there). At CCI, it simply can’t happen – the thoroughness of the process ensures that. In fact, longer than I wanna explain here, but the reality is exactly the opposite – you might match with a dog that would not match otherwise and be released.
  • “I don’t think my issues are serious enough for a dog.” Variation of the above and often said at the same time. That’s not for me to decide, but the short version is this: if you think a dog might help, ask the question. Because CCI’s not gonna just give you a dog, and I don’t believe any other reputable ADI-accredited organization will, either. You have to apply, and then let the experts work things.
  • “I don’t wanna be dependent on a dog.” Doesn’t work that way – at most, I’d call it mutual dependence. It is very much a team effort – the whole Battle Buddy, Wingman, Shipmate, etc. thing is not just some line here, it’s dead serious. A big piece of CCI’s evaluation of someone as a potential candidate for a dog is how well that person can take care of the dog.

Again, there are more, but those are the big ones. And to answer the ‘Where do I look for a service dog?” question again, because it seems like I can’t say this too often: “Start with CCI, then look at the rest of the organizations on the ADI-accredited list.”

Bottom line: I won’t try to talk you into a dog, but don’t talk yourself outta one, either. And I can tell you that these guys went through that same drill, too.

Plus, it oughtta be good for at least a bronze or two next year.

May 21, 2011

Marines Kick Everybody Else’s Butts Again

Al , , Image, Service Dogs, Veterans

Marine Lance Weir and Canine Companions for Independence service dog Auggie at Warrior Games medals ceremony.“Marines Sweep Shooting Competition” (photo by Lance Cpl. Kayla Hermann)

That’s pretty much the headline for this year’s Warrior Games.

One person who contributed to that butt whuppin’ is my friend Lance Weir, seen here with his Canine Companions for Independence service dog Auggie during the presentation of his Gold and Silver Medals in the air rifle shooting competition.

Very cool because, besides being a friend and very well known in the CCI world, Lance wasn’t even here last year, and, according to his coach, didn’t even realize it was something he could compete in, and look at the result!

Final event is this afternoon with closing ceremonies tonight.

Apr 6, 2011

Retired Marine Calvin Smith And His Service Dog Chesney – If You Only Watch One Video Today, Watch This One

Al , , , Service Dogs, Veterans

Here’s a tremendous new video (the best one like it I’ve ever seen, in fact) with Canine Companions for Independence retired Marine graduate Calvin Smith and his service dog Chesney that I was privileged to watch at the Canine Companions Salutes Independence event in Oklahoma City a few weeks ago.

I’ve known the story for a long time, so was also very happy to finally get to meet Calvin, his wife Kristina, and Chesney, who were all in attendance at that event.

Really not much else for me to say other than if you want to know about the wonderful work CCI is doing with veterans, and the very direct impact that’s having on those veterans’ and their families’ lives, give me about 4 1/2 minutes:

Feb 22, 2011

Warrior Games 2011 Team Training Camps And Selection Process Almost Complete

Al , , , , , Service Dogs, Veterans

Great picture of my friend Canine Companions for Independence graduate and former Marine Lance Weir with his service dog Auggie at the inaugural Marine Corps Trials at Camp Pendleton this week in preparation for this year’s Warrior Games:


Here’s the corresponding article:  “Wounded Marines compete for chance at ‘Warrior Games’”

Air Force had its training camp week before last in San Antonio and will announce its team soon: “Athletes Vie For Spot On Air Force Warrior Games Team”

I have a number of good AF friends who were at that camp and who I’m looking forward to seeing back here competing again this year. Unfortunately, my friend CCI grad Jason Morgan, who I’ve written so much about here, wasn’t able to go this year due to some serious health issues he’s recovering from.

Army just announced its team: “Army Announces 2011 Army Warrior Games Team”

And Navy just announced their team, too: “Wounded Warrior team selected”

As I’ve said many times, the inaugural Warrior Games last May were tremendous, and things are definitely shaping up for an even better and more competitive event here in Colorado Springs this year.

Sep 21, 2010

Warrior Games Coming Back To Colorado Springs In 2011

Al , , , , , Service Dogs

Warrior Games Coming Back To Colorado Springs In 2011

I’ve gushed over the inaugural Warrior Games held here at the Olympic Training Center and Air Force Academy back in May enough you already know how much I thought of them. (If you don’t, check here.)

So, I was more than a little pleased to see the official announcement yesterday that they are coming back again next May: “Officials Announce Warrior Games 2011“.  I’d definitely suggest watching the video – it’s 30 minutes, but gives you a really good feel for how things were this year plus the plan for next year.

BTW, Stacy Pearsall, who is in both the article and video, took the great picture of Jason Morgan and Napal in this post.

I’ve seen a lotta people who weren’t here for this year’s Games already talking about coming to them next year – all I can say is, if you’re even thinking about it, do it.  Granted, there’s only ever one “first”, but if it’s anything like that (and based on that video, no reason it shouldn’t be – could very well be even better), you definitely wanna be here.

Mar 25, 2010

Labrador Retrievers In Combat As IED Detector Dogs

Al , Working Dogs

One of the best Military Working Dog articles I’ve seen is in the Marine Corps Times today, and this one’s about a very specific subset of MWDs – Labrador Retrievers who are trained to work off leash as Improvised Explosive Device Detector Dogs.

Marines train at the K2 facilities near Marston, N.C., to use bomb sniffing dogs. The dogs work off the leash and will be assigned to the same Marine for the whole deployment to Afghanistan.

“Dogs becoming essential in fight against IEDs”

Doesn’t pull any punches in describing how dangerous a job this is or how tough life can be for these dogs, but also gives you a real look at how much their handlers love the dogs and the relationship they have.

I know there are people who have real qualms about dogs doing these jobs (hey, it even gets to me sometimes), and I also think a number of people have a misperception about how the vast majority of handlers treat them, thanks to some bad stories about a few of the proverbial bad apples in the press.

But if you’ve met any military or police handlers – and I’ve met a number over the years – you know that by far most of them would take a bullet for their dogs.  In this case specifically, you can bet that they will use the dogs as trained, but also do absolutely everything they can to keep them from getting blown up in the process.

The one sentence in the story that did surprise me was this  – of course, I knew the dogs were out there, but had no idea their presence was this widespread:

“For the first time this year, most infantry battalions deploying to war zones have the dogs…”

Make no mistake – that doesn’t tell you how expendable the dogs are, but exactly the opposite – they’ve become so important, it’s gotten to where the Marine Corps doesn’t want to put Marines in the field without them.

 

 

 

Sep 9, 2009

“The Marines Wanted a Manly Dog”

Al , , , , Service Dogs

Pfc. James Burns plays with service dog Finn at the Marine Corps Wounded Warrior Detachment, Camp Kaneohe, Hawaii.Pfc. James Burns plays with service dog Finn at the Marine Corps Wounded Warrior Detachment, Camp Kaneohe, Hawaii.

Hey, how about something a lot more fun and upbeat than yesterday’s depressing post about the VA (one of these days I hope to be able to write about them and have a good feeling instead of the bad one I always get now).

That quote in the subject line of this post cracked me up when I read it yesterday.  It’s from Susan Luehrs, executive director of Hawaii Fi-Do, the Assistance Dogs International-accredited organization that just placed a service dog at United States Marine Corps Wounded Warrior Detachment-Hawaii.

She was explaining why they went with a big yellow Labrador Retriever like Finn instead of their usual labradoodles:

“Hawaii Fi-Do works mostly with labradoodles, a cross between a Labrador and a poodle, but the Marines wanted a manly dog, she said.”

As the proud human of one of those “manly dogs”, all I can say is “Ooh-RAH!!”  No frou-frou designer dogs for the Marines (apologies to all you labradoodle lovers…haha) – gotta love it!

Whole story is here:

“Canine reports for duty at Kane’ohe base”

(FYI, Canine Companions for Independence placed Facility Dog Jonah at the parent organization for this unit, the Wounded Warrior Battalion-West at Camp Pendleton, back in November 2008.)

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