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Dogs for veterans!
Service and therapy dogs give veterans something to lean on.
Far too many soldiers return from the war with disabling injuries and disabilities that make it difficult for them to cope with the challenges of every day life.
But there is hope. Specially trained dogs of all shapes, sizes and color are helping these veterans in a wide variety of ways to give them the assistance they need to help them live a more full life.
This lens honors these canine heroes who give of their lives to veterans throughout the United States, and serve them unselfishly; providing them with much needed assistance, comfort and friendship.
Service dogs help disabled veterans.
Organizations that provide veterans with service and therapy dogs.
- VetDogs
Helping those who have served our country honorably to live with dignity and independence whether they are visually impaired or have other special needs, by using guide dogs, service dogs, and innovative technologies - Canines for Combat Veterans
Canines for Combat Veterans, is part of NEADS, New England Assistance Dog Services. Their mission is to rescue and train dogs to assist individuals with everyday tasks. Their goal is to provide the trained dogs to all qualified applicants. - Canine Companions for Independence
Canine Companions for Independence provides highly-trained assistance dogs for children and adults with disabilities, free of charge. - The Dog Tags Program
Soldiers are returning from Iraq and Afghanistan with disabling injuries that make it difficult to cope with the challenges of daily life. In order to provide much needed assistance, Puppies Behind Bars has started the Dog Tags program. - Patriot Paws
Patriot Paws is passionate, committed, and obligated in their goal to train service dogs that will enhance the lives of disabled veterans who have given so much for our nation, and to provide a service for other Americans with mobile disabilities. - Hero Dogs, Inc.
Hero Dogs, Inc. is a Maryland 501(c)(3) non-profit corporation whose purpose is to train and place service dogs with military veterans who have been injured and/or disabled while serving in the U.S. Armed Forces.
Service and therapy dog books.
Dogs are heroes in veterans eyes.
Canine compassion: Paws for Purple Hearts
With a year-old golden retriever at his feet, Iraq war veteran Christopher Hill slept soundly through the night - something the muscular Marine staff sergeant hadn't experienced in four years.
Veterans Helped by Healing Paws
Deuce, a chocolate Labrador retriever, knows exactly which patients at Walter Reed Army Medical Center in Washington give the best treats, said his owner, Harvey Naranjo.
Both he and Deuce are part of the Military Advanced Training Center, a department at Walter Reed that cares for severely disabled veterans.
Vietnam vet's pet helps ease traumatic stress remaining from war
A Vietnam veteran with post-traumatic stress disorder received an unconventional prescription in July - a cat named Patch.
(Photo by Alan Poizner for The New York Times)
Nolls helps Joe adjust to life after Afghanistan
Joe Keck is a soldier in the US Army who lost his left arm while serving in Afghanistan.
When Joe heard about the NEADS Canines for Combat Veterans Program while recuperating at Walter Reed, he requested that a Service Dog help him carry his text books and open heavy doors for him as he plans on returning to college. He also asked if his Service Dog could pick up small objects for him as it was difficult to do this with his prosthetic device.
Now Nolls, a big black lab, who was raised by inmates at the Hampshire County Jail fills the bill becoming Joe's extra hand.
Photo and story courtesy of Canines for Combat Veterans
Chris shares his story of PTSD and how his dog, Pele, helps him get through the day.
War dogs are veterans too.
Working alongside brave soldiers, K9 Corps have helped soldiers since WW I fight for our freedom - saving many, many lives, with no regard for their own.
Many times these dogs are wounded and in need of therapy themselves. In 2008, a new $15 million veterinary hospital for four-legged military personnel opened at Lackland Air Force Base, offering a long overdue facility that gives advanced medical treatment for combat-wounded dogs.
Over the years these dogs have given their lives to military service, while others return home to live out their life in the peace and comfort of their handler families.
Visit my Dogs of War lens and learn more about our canine military heroes throughout history.
This lens is brought to you by...
JohannTheDog.com - where you can shop for cool stuff for cool dogs.
JohannTheDog.com has put together, in one place, all the cool stuff you need for your dog.
Find dog beds, all natural foods and treats, collars, leashes, charms, training and agility gear, vitamins and supplements, books, clothing, toys, crates, dog seat belts, t-shirts and other cool stuff for two and four-leggers!
And the best part is they donate 10% of their profits to dog shelters and rescues!
Give me some woofs!
Nice lens! I'm a veteran but not during wartime. Thanks for recognizing veterans. I think it's wonderful service dogs are helping veterans.
Great lens, thanks for bringing attention to the veterans and their special helpers. Much appreciated!
What a lovely and unusual lens.
Veterans are a great for us. I know that they deserve dogs and these animals can provide some great comfort for all of us.
This is an excellent lens with amazing and thought provoking information, thank you for sharing. ~Blessed by a SquidAngel~
meow :)
I love this lens: thank you so much!
Pets always make a person feel good. And a dog really is man's best friend. Much better than some two-legged animals.
Back to sprinkle some angel dust, and to let you know I listed this lens as a related lens to my Veterans Site lens.
Fantastic, beautiful lens ~ very meaningful, and great info for everyone to see and understand the power of the pet-assisted therapy dogs to change lives. SquidAngel blessed, and I have put this on my Field of Honor at Attention lens! I truly loved those videos! I am passing this link along! Bless the trainers! B : )
I'm a Vietnam vet, purple heart recipient and a serious dog lover. What's not to like about this lens. Thanks much for putting it together. Semper Fi
As a dog owning vet (unscathed I hasten to add) I agree 100% with the other comments, great lens.
Thanks.
Woof woof, what a great lens!
These faithful creatures are not only helping out war veterans but also other, normal people, by acting as a stress reliever! I forget all my worries, sorrows and anger when I see my Shaggy boy! He understands my mood very well and acts accordingly.
Very cool. I am a disabled vet & have a dog. She seems to know when things are not right and comes to visit me. Squid Angel blessed!
Love this lens, thank you!
Excellent lens - featuring on my Dogs of War.
Hi, I wasn't even aware this program existed. Thank you for the detailed information.
Nice lens- You have created very helpful & informative lens. Thanks
woof woof woof woof woof... that means 5 stars :)
This guys are doing very noble work. Respect.
Two of my best friends train service dogs. Thanks for spreading the word.
We will never know just how smart dogs are. I find their intelligence amazing too. It seems like they know what we are thinking too.
Brava on featuring these wonderful service dogs who assist our heroic military men and women, not to mention the trainers/handlers. They all deserve our support.
i love how dogs work too :-) and they work for food, shelter and affection. they are amazing creatures. great lens!
Wonderful, wonderful lens - amazing dogs and amazing people. Thank you for sharing. If only I could double-bless this!
Dogs are such amazing animals. They are truly man's (woman's) best friend!
This is a great idea Johann! Win-WIn for everyone. Your love and respect for our veterans (and animals) does not go unnoticed or unappreciated. Thank you!
1 more SquidLike for you, my friend.
Thanks for supporting the Troops!
Love dogs, Love our Veterans! Great Lens!!
This is lens is amazing! I love dogs, I love veterans too, coz my father is one of them. I salute all because they are all courageous and loyal. Thanks for creating a lens dedicated for them!
Bahrns Material Handling
An awesome service for amazing people. And a wonderful lens, thank you.
Wonderful lens, thanks for sharing. Just stopping by to say Hello and wish you a great week.
I love dogs. These dogs are amazing. This is a great lens dedicated to both veterans and man's best friend.
When I was studying music therapy I came across a program that used pets as therapy and gave high school students the opportunity to have responsibility and a companion. I am very thankful that dogs are being used in service to veterans, a very unique and healthy way to enhance a person's life. Thank you for taking the time to right this. Woof Woof!
Awesome lens! No doubt that dogs are therapeutic, but these trained assistance dogs are totally amazing.
Beautiful lens, dogs can be such a blessing - this is a great example of that.
I love dogs so much, and I have written about service dogs as well. Dogs for vets are definitely some of my favorites - especially the dogs that were being trained by prisoners to help traumatized veterans - rehabilitating for both of them.
enjoyed my visit to your lens tonight, earned a 'thumbs up' from this avid dog lover.
So many touching stories here. Dogs are amazing!
Great lens! :) It's very good to know that, dogs are becoming of more service to people each year. ;) I know I couldn't live without my dog and, I don't have any disabilities or anything. Gosh! Imagine what it feels like being a veteran finding his strength all over again! It just goes to show, veterans have heroes too! :)
Just a great lens.
I Love this page... I have met quite a few guide dogs, assistance dogs etc and know how much they mean to their families. Amazing connections are formed. Good to know how dogs are helping veterans too.
Very informative! Very nice topic :)
Gr8 work, keep it up. Thx for sharing.
Aww love this lens!! So sweet. God bless the doggies!! Our best friends. :)
I loved this lens. Thank you for sharing these stories and helping us to remember all who are involved with keeping America what she is...free!
Great topic! Thanks for sharing.
Quite an interesting topic. Tangential but related to this is that I am a dog walker and I walk a jack Russel for an 80 year old lady. She used to live alone and it took a while to get used to having a dog in the house again, and she nearly gave it away as it had too much energy, but now that I walk it three times a week she finds it indispensable. A cure non judgmental company that brings joy to many people, that's dogs for everyone I think ,,,
Somewhere I read an article written by an Iraq veteran who talked about how his dog saved his life. He was depressed to the point of suicide, and one night, intending to end it all, he got out his gun. But his dog sat there, looking at him, and he couldn't do it. Dogs help us in endless ways. Enjoyed the videos. Wonderful lens.
Very nice lens. My wife's first family dog was a military service dog with some amazing training as I hear from family stories. Love reading about the service dogs and the amazing things they do for humans: rescue, seeking survivors in earthquakes, capturing criminals, etc. Thank you for sharing your insights.
Great lens, My Dads old dog was an ex military large German Shepherd that saw world war 2 over in France, Umm loved that dog when I was 6
Angel blessed this is a great topic...
These dogs for veterans are amazing. I'm featuring this on my "Patriotic Lenses on Squidoo" lens. Thanks for sharing about these special animals!
Great lens! What a great topic to choose to write about!
I think it is great idea and a fantastic service to veterans!
Blessed by a Passing Squid Angel High Paws! keep up the Woof woof work!
I like this
5 woofs, 10 wags! Nice Work! :-)
You have done something that could be called as a great.Nice one,really impressive lens.
Nice article. I love dogs..Thanks for the lens
Beautiful lens! I wish I own one.
What a great lens!
Great lens and congrats on LOTD!
Good story! Dogs are our hero.
thank you for this delightful lens! cheers
Thanks for this important lens! Congrats!
You've gotta love dogs. And the power of their unconditional love. Thanks!
This is such important work - may you receive a reward in heaven. Congratulations on LotD.
Great lens, and I'm sure our wounded warriors appreciate all the ways their canine friends help them. Thanks for sharing. Congratulations on LOTD.
Congratulations on LOTD! Excellent choice for Memorial Day.
nice info
I've heard of these pups for veterans. Just wonderful! I'm really psyched that you are bringing this service to light. Blessings!
:) Hugs,
Kath
Very nice gesture for a worthy cause - you should be commended on your efforts and lovely thoughts - keep it up :-}}
Yay Puppies! Psst well done Johann, warm hugs, ear scratchies and belly rubs from Auntie Kathy LOL
~ Blessed by a Squidoo Angel ~
Great lens! Congratulations on LotD!
Johann, you have outdone yourself here, congratulations on an important LOTD, you have me wiping tears of appreciation. About to feature on my Veterans and Veterans of War - USA and my Support Our Troops and Veterans....and my I Want a Dog, thank you!
A friend has a sweet, smart, wonderful dog who needs a home. I'm going to send her your lens. Thanks for your work for this good cause.
Congrats on LOTD for such a heart warming lens.(injured vets aside naturally)
Very nice LOTD. Dogs, pets, they are all such gifts in this life.
Congratulations on LOTD! I have always liked this lens and cause...
Great lens. Congrats on the Lense of the Day.
Congrats on LOTD!!! Wonderful lens
Congrats on LOTD!
Congrats on LOTD ~ a beautiful lens and a wonderful cause!
A marvelous lens. Thank you.
I love hearing stories like this, very inspiring, many thanks
Nice lens. Thanks.
Really appreciated learning more about this powerful program. Animals are so healing. Congrats on LOTD and thank you for this focus on such an important mission.
You know that pigeons were the most decorated animals in WWl. Good lens detailing K9 war efforts. See you around the galaxy...
What a great LOD for Memorial Day. Thanks to all the veterans who have kept us free!
A truly inspiring lens.
As I'm typing this our soldiers, sailors and airmen are far from home with their lives on the line for us. Why does it take a Squidoo lens to highlight this? Why aren't our politicians doing more for our people?
Thanks again for this, as a veteran myself, and one who came back safely, it's both moving and humbling at the same time.
@nissan72: Obviously, this isn't my lens but I wanted to reply to nissan72's comments. Different organizations use different breeds for different reasons. Please keep in mind that dogs are/were bred for different reasons and thus have different tendencies. The AKC has a great explanation on what the different breed groups are bred to do.
Hero Dogs Inc. and many other service dog organizations prefer to use "Retrievers" as "Service Dogs" because a large portion of how they will spend their time is actually retrieving items for the person they are teamed with. A service dogs' job can be quite stressful at times and they need to love what they do. Retrievers, retrieve on purpose. Those who love it will do it all day/night long, it is simply who they are.
Again, please keep in mind that I am talking about a "service" dog (not a companion, not a therapy dog). I do know of other types of companion dog programs who do not "insist" on retriever breeds.
Either way, I think dogs are the greatest! I know how much love they bring to my life which is why I volunteer to help provide Service Dogs to Wounded Veterans...seriously, it is the least I can do.
Thank you for your service,
ilene
Me being a wife of a Veteran i would love to say first of all THANK YOU for this program.On another note i honestly believe Dogs are a wonderful therapy for any person ill or injured.I believe dogs are a connection between the ill or injured that Doctors cannot even replace or fix.Its amazing how much our 4 legged pets can do to help.But me also being an animal lover,i honestly hope and pray that any BREED can be a great therapy.I hope in all honesty that other BREEDS are considered,not just your ordinary Labs or Retrievers.I honesly believe that Pit bulls and American Bulldogs make awesome therapy dogs,they are loyal,loving,devoted,and caring when it comes to their owners.Me having not only a Veteran as a husband but also 3 children in the home,having 2 Pit bulls in my home that came to us from the shelter,have been not only been a complete blessing,but also a gift sent from God.They have helped my husband in many times of depression painful memories come out of it to only bring his good side back and back to the relaxed state.So i please ask that since this program is so wonderful,please also consider taking in breeds such as Pit bulls,American Bulldogs,Bull Terriers,Rottweilers,not just your average Labs and Retrievers or your little doggies,give these other Breeds to shine as for what they really are,great wonderful therapy dogs in so many ways.Thank You
Johann, your stories are very inspiring. We have adopted a number of dogs to service people and their families. Some to be companions, some to be support, but all to be loved. It always warms my heart when I see the connection between canines and humans. Angel Blessed and featured on Angel Flys Over Dog Lenses*
What a great program - providing service dogs to Veterans. My daughter's college roomie and best friend has been confined to a wheelchair for 15 years since a fall paralyzed her. Today she takes care of herself, goes to work, and travels... all with her service dog at her side -- the 2nd one, actually, first one is now retired. :) Knowing how much her dog does for her, both physically and mentally, I can easily see what such a dog can do for a wounded veteran. Excellent story, Johann! :)
Great lens! I am so glad that they have programs like this...I'm going to look more into this...we should never forget our Veterans and if a pet can help heal this is fantastic.
This is so touching. I met a veteran who had a Borzoi as a PTSD support dog (from an organization called Operation Wolfhound). His dog stays calm and nuzzles him when he panics. It was really amazing!
Excellent information about the important role dogs can have helping veterans suffering from injuries or other effects of war. Blessed by an Angel.
Lot's of woofs from me. This is such important information. Service dogs offer so much more than just physical service to their owners. Making service dogs available to vets should have happened a long time ago. Not quite the same as owning a service dog, my dad was in a VA nursing home which was regularly visited by Hershey, a chocolate lab service dog, and he always cheered the guys up. Animals have the ability to reach deeper than humans can ever go sometimes. Thanks for this great information!
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