While I’ve addressed this subject before (“Why The VA Has Provided No Money For Service Dogs – In Their Own Words”), I’ve really held off and pretty much kept my mouth shut, hoping that some of the behind-the-scenes discussions I was aware of with the VA regarding service dogs for veterans would bear fruit, and not wanting to possibly mess those up. Plus, I really think some of the VA people working the issue are good guys and want to help, and I didn’t wanna risk torquing them … Read More
Post Traumatic Stress
Jul 22, 2009
“Franken – Isakson Service Dogs For Veterans Act” Introduced
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.
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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 … Read More
Jul 13, 2009
Why You Don’t See Me Writing About Some Very Popular “Service Dogs For Veterans” Stories
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 … Read More
Jun 5, 2009
Fort Carson Red Cross Station Manager Strongly Supports Wounded Warriors
Very nice article in the Fort Carson, Colorado Mountaineer newspaper today about my friend Susanne Harlandt, the American Red Cross Station Manager there.
- Susanne Harlandt, Fort Carson Red Cross station manager, speaks with Sgt. Eddie Doyle, 1st Battalion, 22nd Infantry Regiment, 1st Brigade Combat Team, 4th Infantry Division.
It’s a very personal interview where Susanne really lays out her feelings for the troops and where those feelings come from. Very enlightening, too, since I don’t know that most people understand that the Red Cross does the kinda things she talks … Read More
May 13, 2009
How To Be Smarter Than Celebrities Are About Service Dog Programs
Based on some of the things I’ve been reading online and seeing on TV today, looks like it’s a really good time to say this yet again:
I don’t care if you “heard about it on Oprah”, or you read about it here on my blog, or a well-known veterans organization is associated with it, or Charity Navigator gives it four stars (a discussion for another time, but for now note it’s significant that they are currently changing their methodology), or your best friend told you about it, or even
Apr 10, 2009
“Writing A Prescription For A Pet Does Not Transform Fluffy Or Fido Into A Service Animal.”
Amen.
I saw this quoted in a response by someone to an earlier letter in a small newspaper in Northern California today (“Will the real assistance animal please stand up?”). The response then goes on to talk about how dogs have to be trained for specific tasks to be considered service dogs.
Of course, I don’t disagree with that at all – I would just add that, while there’s no question those tasks are a critical element, a successful service dog placement goes way beyond that. You want … Read More
Apr 8, 2009
Tough Questions You Need To Ask About Every Service Dog Organization
Last time I talked about how you can’t know if a dog is really a service dog, and ended up promising I’d tell you how you can have a huge impact on the overall quality of service dog placements, and why it’s absolutely critical that you do. (I’ll forewarn you that this is a longer post than I like to write, but it’s that important.)
Lemme get right to the heart of things and tell you first why it’s so critical. Some people, including me, fear that there’s a … Read More
Apr 5, 2009
Service Dogs, Veterans, And PTSD
I’ve been wanting to say something about this subject for some time, but I’ve been wrestling with just what to say because I want to add something helpful and not just more fuel for all the arguments about what is a controversial subject. So, I think the best thing to do is just tell you my approach and how I got there.
Probably no topic generates more heat in the assistance dog world than just what is and what isn’t a real service dog. Once you get past the subject … Read More
I'm very active with Canine Companions for Independence as a volunteer, to include being a past 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. Actively looking for a paid position performing these functions or other similar meaningful work.