[September 26, 2021] Americans love their pets. Some pets are more than just creatures to be loved but also help us by providing necessary care. Veteran service and guide dogs are those trained to assist Veterans in their everyday life. They are companions and helpers, and many of us would not function without these dogs.
Just this past week, our local veteran organization hosted a workshop where Veterans came to find out more about the benefits offered to those discharged from U.S. military service. One of the participants was a Veterans Administration Outreach specialist with his dog Alpha. His German shepherd assists him whenever anxiety is building. That’s when the dog is at his best.
Fortunately, over the past decade, several organizations have popped up specializing in training dogs for Veterans. Seeing Eye dogs and drug-sniffing dogs have been around for a long time. We know what they do. Now, the service dog provides a higher-level, more sophisticated benefit.
Such service dog programs were initially created to ensure improved mobility and independent living for our Vets. These programs allow them to live with pride and self-reliance more than ever before. Not only does a service dog provide support with daily activiti3es, but it also provides the motivation to tackle everyday challenges.
Training a dog to provide this level of care is not easy. And, not all dogs qualify. The cost of training can easily exceed $50,000 to breed, raise, train, and place one assistance dog. There is no cost to the Veteran. Those approved by the U.S. Veterans Administration will receive monetary assistance to care for the dog.
These programs are worthy of our support. If you want to contribute to the betterment of our disabled veterans directly, then donate.
Here are a few of the larger organizations providing service dogs for our Veterans:
- America’s VetDogs
- American Humane
- Companions for Heroes
- Disabled American Veterans service animal program
- MK9S Service Dogs
- NEADS Service Dogs for Veterans
- Patriot Paws
- United States Veterans Service Dogs
- Veteran Service Dogs
Many of these organizations also train dogs for first responders. Give if you can.
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Please read my newest book, “Our Longest Year in Iraq,” at Amazon (link here).
Cool !!!!!!!!!
Thanks Gen. Satterfield for this introduction to a veteran resource. So many have no idea how to contact these folks that are willing to help. Keep up the great work you are doing and also encouraging others to continue their pursuit of helping others.
Yes, these are very valuable orgs. Keep us safe. 🇺🇸🇺🇸🇺🇸🇺🇸🇺🇸
Another article from Gen. Satterfield that he published last year and worth re-reading as well,
15 Life Lessons from Training Dogs
https://www.theleadermaker.com/15-life-lessons-from-training-dogs/
Yes! Both these articles are great reading for a Sunday morning to also go with my coffee and my dog sitting beside me. She is a happy girl.
Number 15 on his list is illuminating. It reads “And…. You can judge a person by the dog he keeps.” Now, if that doesn’t sound like a leadership idea, I don’t know one. Gen. Satterfield is saying, IMHO, that there is more to being a good humanbeing and a successful leader than just reading books.
Yes, good thinking, SIlly Man. Gen. Satterfield is certainly on top of things. I just noticed that he has a new book out, Our Longest Year in Iraq. I plan on buying it soon.
Dogs can teach us how humans become affectionate, form social bonds, and protect others. As dogs evolved to please humans, they became the perfect subjects to see how the human mind works.
THE SCIENCE BEHIND THE BOND BETWEEN DOGS AND HUMANS
https://www.grunge.com/298044/the-science-behind-the-bond-between-dogs-and-humans/?utm_campaign=clip
Smithsonian Magazine wrote that scientists have been conducting several experiments to test out theories on the dog-human relationship and psychology. What they found is that dogs can parse human behavior. Researchers at Yale University believe dogs could be the closest animals to humans in terms of social behaviors. Dogs they tested in their Canine Cognition Lab showed an ability to determine a human’s intent when issuing orders.
Excellent article about the link betw/ man and dog. 👍
Yes, never to be overlooked. I grew up with dogs myself and I am better for it. I had to care for my dog, wash and feed him, take him on walks, clean up. These are the behaviors of someone responsible. I learned that being responsible for myself and for my dog got me a lot of personal satisfaction.
I pray that these dogs remain available and it shows the connection between God’s children, both humans and animals (esp. dogs).
Excellent article, Gen. Satterfield. I appreciate it whenever you highlight something that we might not be aware of. This idea of providing specially trained dogs for soldiers with PTSD is fantastic. I wish more people would do this sort of thing to help their community.
Interesting and thanks to Gen. Satterfield for giving us some info on this important resource for vets.
I’m happy the resources are out there for our disabled Veterans.