Tag Archives | PTSD dogs in war

The Life Of A Military Dog As “Excess Equipment”

December 6, 2012

(WORKING DOGS) While military dogs are still classified as “equipment,” Duke University student Anthony Russo emphasizes the need for the Canine Members of the Armed Forces Act (H.R. 4103, S. 2134). With this new legislation, these working dogs will be classified as ‘Canine Members of the Armed Services,’ and they would also be guaranteed transportation home from overseas missions as well as a lifetime of veterinary care. Russo rightfully poses the question: “If we are bold enough to integrate canines into the military, shouldn’t we also be compassionate enough to reward these valiant heroes by affording them the same love and care that we do our own pets?” Read on to learn more about the proposed bill and sign the petition telling Congress to support H.R 4103.  — Global Animal

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Like Soldiers, Dogs Suffer From PTSD

December 4, 2012

(MILITARY DOGS) Within the past two years, it has been discovered that human soldiers are not the only beings that can suffer from Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder—an anxiety/mental health problem caused by experiencing a traumatic event. Walter Burghardt Jr., chief of behavioral medicine and military working-dog studies at Lackland, the training headquarters for military dogs, estimates that ten percent of canines deported to Iraq and Afghanistan return as victims of PTSD. Continue reading to learn about the unfortunate effects of combat on animals forced onto the battlefield. — Global Animal 

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A Salute To War Vets and Service Pets (PHOTOS)

November 12, 2012

(SERVICE DOGS) As we take this day to commemorate our honored vets, we should also take a moment to thank the service dogs who aid these respected men and women. While many U.S. veterans struggle with invisible wounds such as post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), anxiety, and depression, some of them are able to find peace from their four-legged friends. For instance, one organization, Operation Freedom Paws, a nonprofit in Gilroy, California, is working to help veterans in need train their own service dogs. The VA has been studying the effectiveness of canine therapy for troops suffering from PTSD, however it was recently placed on hold in order to rewrite the study’s parameters to take into account the dogs’ temperaments and the importance of matching the trainers with the patients—not just the dogs. Read on to learn more about the organization’s efforts as well as the benefits of dog interaction. — Global Animal

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Ex-Marine Wins! Canine Soldier On His Way Home

March 28, 2012

(TOUCHING TALE) NEW YORK — Ex-marine Megan Leavey wanted nothing more than to reunite with her former military dog partner, Sergeant Rex. After retirement, the bomb-sniffing war dog’s future was uncertain, but thanks to former Corporal Leavey, Sgt. Rex will now live out the rest of his life with love and comfort. With help from Senator Check Schumer, Leavey now just needs to wait for her canine comrade to come home. Read on for the full update and how Sergeant Rex won his freedom by the help of Leavey, a Senator, and 21,000 supportive petitioners. — Global Animal 

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Marine Fights For Canine Comrade

March 13, 2012

Military working dogs have keen senses, loyalty, and intelligence that have provided militaries throughout the world with an irreplaceable technology. Former Marine Corporal Megan Leavey worked with Rex, one of the many dogs trained for combat, and she is now fighting to adopt her fellow soldier to save his life, after both were injured in Iraq. — Global Animal

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Military Dogs Not Immune To Combat Stress

December 5, 2011

(MILITARY DOGS) The concept of canine post-traumatic stress disorder is becoming more apparent as military working dogs show increasing signs of behavioral changes more commonly associated with their human counterparts. Sources say that of 650 dogs deployed by American forces, around 5% are developing PTSD. Read more on military canine PTSD and the discussion over how these heroic dogs are being treated. — Global Animal

 

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Dog Suffers PTSD After Iraq Duty As Bomb-Sniffer

August 3, 2010

(WORKING DOGS) – Gina, a highly trained bomb-sniffing German Shepherd, went to Iraq a happy dog, and came back from combat with post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD). Read how soldier dogs, or Military Working Dogs (MWDs), are also paying the emotional costs of war. – Global Animal

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Hero Dogs Of Vietnam War Finally Honored

March 4, 2010

(MILITARY WORKING DOGS) More than 40 years after the war, retired marine corps dog handler, Fred Dorr, and the president of the Vietnam Dog Handler Association, drove to Southern California. About 200 Vietnam War dog handlers, who were trained to read and communicate with their canine partners, have gathered for a reunion. And on Saturday they’ll join an expected several thousand others for the 10th anniversary rededication of the War Dog Memorial at the March Air Reserve Base in Riverside.

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