Freedom Dogs Improve Returning Soldiers' Lives

| Print | By Jo Singer | March 9, 2009 3:54 PM

"Pets are good medicine", is a statement to which any animal lover will agree. There is nothing with which to compare in the healing department, than having a kitty deeply purring, when snuggled on one's lap, or to receive a sloppy and wet doggie kiss smack on the nose which can lift up our spirits by putting a huge smile on our face.

I was fascinated while reading an article which featured canines enlisted to assist our troops in service abroad and the deep attachment which develops between them. The problem is that once they return home, often there is a deep void created and military personnel still long for the support which these trained canines gave them.

Photo credit: ZT Pet News Photo by Canaan Brumley
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Freedom Dogs, a San Diego-based nonprofit organization has heard these voices of returning service people and responded by stepping up to the plate. They offer a program which will help Marines returning from duty in Afghanistan and Iraq to recover from lingering medical and physical problems through a special program which trains service dogs.

One of the first marines to work with Freedom dogs is Sgt. Ian Welch. The 25 year old is still dealing with a traumatic brain injury and Post- Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD), after his tours of duty in Iraq. Injured during his first tour in 2003, he was re-deployed with his unit again in 2004 and 2005 and yet does not consider himself to be a hero. He said, "Heroes don't come home."

While Sgt. Welch is now safe and living in San Diego, the traumas he experienced while at war continue to haunt him. His brain injury, depression and the serious effects of PTSD cause confusion and memory loss. When his commanding officer, Capt. Catherine Harrington met him at the Wounded Warrior Battalion at Camp Pendleton, the Marine training camp in southern California, her impression of Sgt. Welch was he was "withdrawn and dealing with some of the awful things these guys have to deal with. She is thrilled with his progress that the impact Freedom Dogs has made him. She sees the "drastic difference in his demeanor and apparent emotional state."

Training Gunner to be a full-time service dog, Sgt. Welch delights in playing with the black Labrador puppy. His connection with the puppy is very deep, and he even drives an hour to take Gunner for his veterinary appointments. He also works with three other Freedom Dogs who are being trained by Beth Russell who helped launch Freedom Dogs in 2004. In 2006 the Marine Corps began a pilot research program with service dogs to ascertain if they would be able to help troops combat PTSD. Welch says the Freedom

Dogs help counter the effects of his PTSD by offering a simple, cuddly distraction. Anything from a loud noise to seeing a box on the side of the road can trigger his PTSD. The dogs sense Welch's anxiety and in return, make their presence known through touch, he says.

The dogs have received special training for two years to become therapy dogs for people dealing with cognitive disorders and physical disabilities.

Read more about the amazing work of Freedom Dogs which enrich the lives of returning service people utilizing special gifts of "man's best friend" by visiting http://www.FreedomDogs.org

Leave a comment and share your thoughts about the role in which Service dogs play in helping returning troops heal from their physical and emotional wounds.

RELATED TOPICS: Blogs (262) , Service Animals (9)



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Comments (8)

Vicki March 9, 2009 4:25 PM

I have read much about these great dogs and their connections with military personel. I have even seen a few in training in my area. They do such a great service, and I hope this is one program that never falls through the cracks.

Donna March 9, 2009 5:22 PM

Ditto what Vicki said...sometimes a warm sloppy kiss of a contented kitten purring in your lap...or a wild kitten batting a ball all over the house can bring more healing than any pill made.

Donna March 9, 2009 5:26 PM

Well, that first one didn't turn out right, so I'll try it again.

A warm sloppy kiss of a dog or puppy SO happy to see you; the warm contented purr of a cat or kitten sleeping deeply in your lap, under your blanket or next to your pillow, or an exuberent kitten overwhelmed with energy racing around the house after a dustball (or absolutely nothing *we* can see) can bring more healing than any pill in the RX where I work. It's the truth...it's the unconditional love the animals give to us even after being mistreated by other humans...they still give us 100% of their hearts...and I don't think any human is capable of the same. :)

Bonny March 9, 2009 7:03 PM

What a great story! I am glad for the vets and for the dogs.

Ruth March 9, 2009 7:40 PM

I think this is a very good program to have for our servicemen and women. Dogs can heal the soul. Another good breed for training as service dogs is the greyhound. They are smart, learn fast and are very laid back and loving. Using greyhounds would help save thier lives and also help the military men and women heal from the stress of war. If the people who train these dogs would consider using greyhounds, so many could be saved from the tracks. I wish I knew how to get in touch with these people to tell them about greyhounds. They are a wonderful breed and once you own one, you'll always want more.

Ruth in England March 10, 2009 6:13 AM

What a fascinating article, well done the writer !

Judypie July 2, 2009 5:21 PM

I seen Freedom Dogs on TV, where do you get these dogs and who trains them. I have a beautiful 87 lb nutered male that has the sweetest spirit and quite disposition. He is very smart and i would love to see him in a program like this...he would be great. His name is Happy and that's just what he is ...happy.

Jo Singer July 4, 2009 8:12 AM

To Judypie,

You can contact Freedom Dogs by visiting:

http://freedomdogs.org/contact_us/index.html

There is an email form and phone number there. Hope you see this!

Jo Singer

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