Posted on Jan 4, 2016
Veterans Say Trained Dogs Help With PTSD, But The VA Won't Pay
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RP Members why not - isn't this better than taking all types of medication that might have other side affects?
At a warehouse near Dallas, a black Lab named Papi tugs on a rope to open a fridge and passes his trainer a plastic water bottle with his mouth.
Service dogs are often trained to help veterans with physical disabilities. Now, a growing number are being trained to meet the demand from vets with post-traumatic stress disorder and other mental health issues.
Those dogs learn extra tricks — how to sweep a house for intruders, for example, so that a veteran feels safe.
At a warehouse near Dallas, a black Lab named Papi tugs on a rope to open a fridge and passes his trainer a plastic water bottle with his mouth.
Service dogs are often trained to help veterans with physical disabilities. Now, a growing number are being trained to meet the demand from vets with post-traumatic stress disorder and other mental health issues.
Those dogs learn extra tricks — how to sweep a house for intruders, for example, so that a veteran feels safe.
Veterans Say Trained Dogs Help With PTSD, But The VA Won't Pay
Posted from npr.org
Department of Veterans Affairs (VA)
PTSD
Service Dogs
Posted 9 y ago
Responses: 13
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COL Mikel J. Burroughs
My almost 9 year old Chocolate Lab Ben. I didn't "rescue" him, but bought him from a pet store when he was 10 weeks old. Doesn't matter, best dog I've ever had. Other than his color, he's just like Marley from "Marley and Me," the "world's worst dog." He came with a price tag of $1500 (I got him in Hawaii and that state overcharges for everything) and has probably cost me around $30K in vet bills alone. He's eaten an entire bottle of 800mg Motrin, swallowed sock & underwear to the point where it got stuck in his intestines and needed emergency surgery to cut it out, food poisoning from eating onion, torn up stomach from eating a deer antler, all kinds of issues. Plus he loves stealing food and eating out of the garbage. He's a pain in the ass but I love him and to him I'm his whole world. If I'm in a bad mood, having a PTSD-moment, or having a generally shitty day, he will lean his whole body weight against me and force me to pet him. Nope, I never trained him to do that, he figured it out on his own.
I may not have rescued him, but he's certainly saved my life more than once.
My almost 9 year old Chocolate Lab Ben. I didn't "rescue" him, but bought him from a pet store when he was 10 weeks old. Doesn't matter, best dog I've ever had. Other than his color, he's just like Marley from "Marley and Me," the "world's worst dog." He came with a price tag of $1500 (I got him in Hawaii and that state overcharges for everything) and has probably cost me around $30K in vet bills alone. He's eaten an entire bottle of 800mg Motrin, swallowed sock & underwear to the point where it got stuck in his intestines and needed emergency surgery to cut it out, food poisoning from eating onion, torn up stomach from eating a deer antler, all kinds of issues. Plus he loves stealing food and eating out of the garbage. He's a pain in the ass but I love him and to him I'm his whole world. If I'm in a bad mood, having a PTSD-moment, or having a generally shitty day, he will lean his whole body weight against me and force me to pet him. Nope, I never trained him to do that, he figured it out on his own.
I may not have rescued him, but he's certainly saved my life more than once.
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There are several private charities such a Vet Dogs that pay for a dog for a disabled veteran but I do think the VA should pay or at least contribute to the expenses of a dog if the vet needs for either PTSD or a physical disability.
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PO1 John Miller
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I could be wrong, but I think the VA does something like that for disabled vets who have service animals.
I could be wrong, but I think the VA does something like that for disabled vets who have service animals.
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COL Mikel J. Burroughs -Modern medicine tends to like to use the medications because they as healthcare providers can control conditions with "better living through chemistry." While some are more receptive to alternative medicine, others tend to go with what they know. Then again, we have a mindset in America that when you go see a doctor that you will be prescribed medication each time. There are many times one shouldn't, and homeopathic remedies like warm saltwater gargles or moist heat can effectively treat a condition. People assume medications are safe but even the safest ones have side effects and can be harmful if taken over time. Part of this philosophy has resulted in the antibiotic crisis we have with drug-resistant bacterial strains such as MRSA.
If a dog works - lets go for it. Hard to say when the VA will catch up with that line of thinking...
If a dog works - lets go for it. Hard to say when the VA will catch up with that line of thinking...
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