Fighting Hard To Stay Positive
I hafta tell you I’m really having a hard time staying positive lately, to the point of sometimes thinking about bagging my whole involvement with service dogs, especially getting them to veterans.
Almost every day I see questionable things from supposedly responsible organizations and people in the service dog world, particularly where veterans are involved. Like the veteran working his dog with no leash I just saw in a slick fundraising video from a service dog place that focuses solely on veterans (watched it four or five times and I still couldn’t believe it).
“I Coulda Had A V8″ – Don’t Let That Happen To You With Service Dogs
One of the biggest reasons I harp so hard on getting the best service dog you possibly can and point out things/places that aren’t so great is that I don’t ever want you to be this guy:
Where you get a dog that turns out to be a great companion but a not-so-great service dog, you see one later that really IS that great, and you realize, “Man, if I’d have only applied to a better organization, paid more attention, and done some more research, I could’ve had one of those.”
Why Haven’t We Heard More About This Well-Known Veteran’s Service Dog Discrimination Case?
Haven’t had a lot to say lately, largely because I haven’t seen a lotta good things to write about, or even bad things that have enough substance to make them worth commenting on.
There is one story, though, that, while not a good one, definitely got my attention and I wanna talk about because no one else seems to be. It’s been 11 days since I first saw it on October 30th, and there’s still no reaction on major news services, Twitter, or blogs, which, given that I routinely see all three erupt over much, much less serious service dog incidents than this one, really strikes me as odd.
Wounded Warrior Receives Canine Companions Service Dog Raised in Prison Program
That’s what the headline and angle for this story could’ve actually been (or something like it) if someone wanted to write it that way.
The story I’m referring to is this article from The Oregonian a few days ago about Canine Companions for Independence puppies being raised at the Coffee Creek Correctional Facility for women in Wilsonville, OR:
“Future service dogs get their training by women inmates at Coffee Creek lockup”
“The Marines Wanted a Manly Dog”
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).
Finally, The Real Story About The VA And Service Dogs For Veterans
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 off.
“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
“Wounded Warrior K-9 Corps Act” To Be Introduced in Congress
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”
Think That Prison Puppy Raising Program Is Unique? Think Again.
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.”
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:
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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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