Veterans Affairs Canada has received a proposal to use Therapeutic Medical Alert Service Dogs, as part of a service for their Veterans.
Service Dogs for Veterans has rehabilitative and therapeutic benefits, as well as providing support which enhances daily functioning. Once daily functioning has been enhanced the Service Dog than allows the Veteran the independence that has been lost on his own.. Transition difficulties for an active member or anyone who is fiercely independent to become disabled, and dependent on others for everyday needs.
A Service Dog can help enable an injured person to become more self reliant by not having to ask for help, and for that reason a dog can be a relief for family members, as the loved one who is injured will now have a tool that is willing to assist 24/7. This confidence that a loved has the help that is required will enable the family caretakers the ability to relax and not become besieged with anxiety and anxious emotions. One of my specialties is educating working service dogs to be an aid to individuals who suffer from the many challenges of Post Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD).
It is not easy to heal with a “one size fits all” approach and often-traditional therapies have limited success. It is my belief that you must give the brain and the heart stimulating challenges in order to overcome these obstacles restore functionality and bring back enthusiasm for life. The individual and the Service Dog work as a team and together they learn to face and overcome challenges they never thought possible. Little by little the individuals self worth and sense of significance is restored. The impact this makes on a human life, canine’s life, and in the lives around them is positive and empowering, because they learn to live from a place of inner passion rather than outward fear.
When an individual returns from a war torn country, often they can bring back physical and/ or mental injuries that limit their abilities to enjoy their life that they knew before deployment. This can cause unparalleled pain that can be an enormous challenge to overcome whether it is a physical challenge or living with PTSD, mental illness or a brain injury. This is true for anyone who suffers from the various forms of mental illness.
As a team we will work toward the goal of reducing the length of time that returning troops, Veterans, as well as other individuals who are facing PTSD traumas. It take to heal, and with a service dog by their side, working together as a team, there is a high probability that healing time will be reduced. The individuals will be able to find an inner strength to overcome the challenges that they are facing with renewed confidence.
To any Veterans or their families who may be reading this please accept our heartfelt thank-you for all that you have given. We are so very humbled to be able to express gratitude to our Veterans who have given of their selves, walked the road through hell and have returned to their families and friends. It is a great honor and a privilege to be a small part helping enable an individual to become stronger in his or her abilities. The service dogs are the aids, as well as a “battle buddy”. Many times over through tears of sadness and tears of joy, it has been said the service dog was an answer to a prayer, and the miracle that many have been waiting for. It is truly an honor to be able to assist our unsung Heroes. Thank you for allowing my team and me to do so.