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Meet These Brave Dogs

Dogs are man’s best friend, but war takes that special bond to another level. Out on the front lines of brutal armed conflicts half a world away, US soldiers count on their canines to keep them safe from hidden threats and get them back home alive.

One of many dangers on the modern battlefield is improvised explosive devices, crude bombs that can be disguised as everything from part of a car to roadside trash, but US explosive detection dogs are trained to find these deadly weapons before disaster strikes.

Army Sgt. 1st Class Robert Citrullo, the kennel master who supervises the service’s 8th Military Working Dog Detachment at Fort Drum, told Insider that a dog he deployed with named Uran “definitely saved not only my life but multiple other service members’ lives by finding IEDs and other things that were just ready to go off and hurt someone.”

He said that soldiers feel better having the dogs around. “They know the dog has been proven. [The dog] can find explosives, and they know it is going to keep them safe.” Hunting down explosives and other threats obviously comes with serious risks for the working dogs and their handlers.

“We’re on the front line most of the time,” Army Sgt. Kristin Vanderzanden, a squad leader and patrol explosive detection dog handler at Fort Polk, told Insider. The stakes are high. If an IED or a booby trap goes undetected, then the dog, maybe the handler and possibly others could be wounded or killed.

The handlers and their dogs also have to worry about the many other horrors of war.

“One of my teammates went out on a mission with his dog, and they got hit by a suicide bomber,” Vanderzanden, who deployed to Afghanistan, said.

“They were seriously injured,” she said. “We didn’t know if either of them was going to make it.” Both lived, but the dog ended up losing one of his rear legs. The dogs that end up serving in the armed forces start their training early, usually around seven to eight months old, at Lackland Air Force Base, which is also where US service members go to learn to be handlers after mastering other soldiering skills elsewhere.

Military working dogs can be taught a variety of complex skills, everything from finding narcotics and explosives to engaging enemy combatants. A dog named Conan made headlines last fall for his role in a special forces raid that resulted in the death of ISIS leader Abu Bakr al-Baghdadi.

Before a handler ever gets paired with one of these dogs, they get assigned an ammunition can that serves as a pretend dog for practicing commands and leash control.

Citrullo explained that putting an inexperienced soldier with a specially-trained military working dog would be like training a new recruit on a fully-loaded rifle. “It’s too much of a safety risk,” he told Insider, adding that improperly handling a military canine risks the animal or the handler getting hurt.

A dog, of course, is much more complicated than a rifle, as each dog is different. Strengths, weaknesses, and how the animal interacts with the handler can vary greatly depending on the dog’s breed, age, experiences, and personality.

Army Spc. Joseph Ramos, a handler with the 8th Military Working Dog Detachment, told Insider that his dog Fox has severe separation anxiety.

“I never thought he would get so attached to me,” he said.

If he leaves, even for only a few days, Fox’s “whole character changes,” Ramos said. “I have to check on him periodically, even through a long weekend, just to make sure he’s eating.” He has to be sure Fox is healthy and performing as he should because the animal is his responsibility.

“Not only do you have to worry about your own soldier tasks, but you have this extra equipment on you that needs attention as well,” he said. Everything he does, he has to take the dog into consideration. “You can’t just think about yourself.”

Dealing with military working dogs, which often unofficially outrank their handlers, requires tremendous patience.

A working dog is “Army equipment that literally has its own brain and can choose not to work correctly just because it doesn’t want to,” Citrullo told Insider. “You can do everything correct with your military working dog and the dog could still choose to not do what it was trained to do.”

Handlers work with their dogs daily, building a relationship and getting to know the animal, learning its likes, dislikes, needs, abilities, and limitations.

When she deployed to Afghanistan, Vanderzanden made armament decisions based off her understanding of her dog Frenky. She told Insider that she did not carry grenades into combat because Frenky is toy-driven. “I knew if I threw anything, he would be running after it,” she said.

Unlike regular dogs, which may be easily spooked by thunder, fireworks, and other loud noises, military working dogs, which often accompany their handlers during live-fire training exercises, are familiar with the weapons of war and trained not to panic in response to gunfire or explosions. “On deployment, we took mortar rounds, there was sniper fire, there were door charge explosions.” Vanderzanden said, explaining that Frenky’s response was based off her reaction. “If I don’t react, he doesn’t react.”

The nature of the explosive detection job regularly puts handlers and their dogs in harm’s way, with the working dogs often facing some of the greatest risks.

“It’s paws before boots,” Citrullo told Insider. Not trying to be cruel, he explained that while the aim is for the dogs to safely identify threats to the force, if a dog is unfortunately injured or killed by an IED or some other deadly device but it saves the lives of soldiers behind it, “that’s a win for us.”

That being said, the US military has veterinarians available to care for its working dogs and fight for their lives.

“I take care of the animals that take care of our troopers,” Col. Andrew McGraw, a military veterinarian and the director of the Lt. Col. Daniel E. Holland Military Working Dog Hospital, told Insider. “We do our very best for these animals because they are selfless.”

Handlers are trained to provide basic first aid in emergency situations, but for more serious situations, the military calls on the experts.

Military veterinarians treat a variety of ailments, everything from heat exhaustion and gastrointestinal issues to gunshot wounds and IED blasts, sometimes working medical miracles with injured animals. It’s a challenging job, one that demands far more than just caring for wounded working dogs.

Lt. Col. Patrick Grimm, a military veterinarian and a radiologist at the working dog hospital, told Insider that on one combat deployment, he was called up in the middle of the night following reports of an ambush.

He waited for several hours as Black Hawks brought in wounded troops but no dog. When the last helicopter finally came in, it delivered about half a dog wrapped in an American flag. The dog had been hit with an IED, and there was nothing he or his team could do.

“I saw the kennel master from the special forces team that was involved in the mission in the corner,” he said. “I went over to him, and he was crying.” Several US troops were killed. The handler assigned to the deceased dog was alive but had lost his legs.

Grimm said the kennel master asked him to deliver the flag to the handler in the hospital, to deliver the heartbreaking message that his dog didn’t make it. He said that this was one of the hardest things he has had to do.

“Being a veterinarian in the Army is more than just being there for the dogs,” he said. “It’s about being there for the team and the handlers and supporting them.” Grimm stayed with the handler at the hospital, not saying much, but being there for him when he needed it most.

Willow Brings Joy To Students

A 1-year-old black Labradoodle named Willow helped brighten the lives of St. Marys Catholic Elementary School students this year, and is still doing so for some during the coronavirus closure.

Kim Sloff, inclusion coordinator at the school, is an avid animal lover. Her son was diagnosed with autism at 2 years old, and the family looked into a therapy dog then, but found it would be costly.

Sloff’s background includes working as a preschool aid and in mental health and case work, she said. Since the school doesn’t have a special education department, her position was developed to better serve children with special needs.

In February 2019, she attended an inclusion conference, visiting a school with a therapy dog in action, where the idea of securing one for the St. Marys school was inspired.

The Sloff family got Willow when she was a puppy. She’s classified as an emotional support dog, and was officially certified in February of this year.

“She went into the school every day as a puppy and walked around with me,” she said. “I couldn’t believe how she took to the process at just five months old. She became a fixture immediately, and the kids loved her.”

Sloff’s responsibilities include tutoring, testing and reading to children, she said, many of whom have extreme test anxiety or struggle with behavioral issues. Some children will sit and pet Willow for comfort and for others she is part of a “reward” program.

“If a student comes in upset, by the time they leave us, they’re laughing and smiling,” Sloff said.

Due to the coronavirus pandemic, Sloff says she has been doing tutoring sessions via video chat, and Willow will sit next to her. She has sent a video of herself and Willow to a boy struggling at home during the closure.

“It made his day,” she said.

Willow is such a part of the school that she is even pictured in the yearbook under faculty, Sloff adds.

Not just during quarantine, but all the time, Willow brings so much comfort and unconditional love to Sloff and her family’s life, she said, referring to her as her “kindred spirit.”

“I have an absolute connection with her I’ve never had with any animal,” she said.

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Best Of Friends

I recently interviewed several pet owners in Westwood to understand their relationship with their pets. I wanted to know how their pets enrich their lives.

I felt this was especially important now as we all come to terms with the COVID-19 pandemic. During this crisis, our pets have become our rocks of stability, emotional support and our cuddle-buddies. I know that our dog, Byrdie, has brightened up my life with her unconditional love and sloppy kisses.

I interviewed Janet to hear her stories about her little dog Charlie. He is a very handsome fellow, a Pomeranian chi. This small crossbreed is playful, devoted, and energetic. At 10 years of age Charlie is as active as any young pup. He enjoys long walks with Janet and loves to cuddle. He is also a loyal companion and makes Janet laugh all the time with his adorable personality.

I discovered quite a few fun facts about Val’s pets. Her stories reminded me of an animal kingdom documentary. She has two beautiful feline friends. Magoo is a 10-year-old, male rag-doll Persian cat and Val describes him as a real ladies’ man who can melt anyone with his blue eyes. Magoo has a lush grey-and-white coat. His mannerism is one of refined royalty, which has earned him the nickname “Lion Boy.” Val’s other cat, Greyson, is a striking six-year-old old male with a black and white coat. He is the silent type, independent and shy.

Val’s budgie, named Bird, seems to be the real life of the party at her house, based on the stories she told. Bird entertains the family and the cats with his bouncy happy dance. Budgies are one of the most popular pets, very cute and affectionate.

Nicole has added a new member to her family — an adorable, 10-week-old female Labrador retriever named Luna. This breed is kind, has an even temperament and is known for its enthusiasm for sports and swimming. Nicole says Luna is very curious and happy, with stunning blue eyes, a dark grey coat and that wonderful puppy breath.  Luna has already stolen Nicole’s heart (and mine).

From my interviews, it is evident to me that pet owners love their pets. and they help us cope during these stressful times. They truly are our best friends.

Sniffing Dogs

Is there anything a dog can’t do?

Emotional support animals, medical support animals, drug sniffing dogs, bed bug sniffing dogs…and soon Coronavirus sniffing dogs!

YES!

A new program at the University of Pennsylvania’s School of Veterinary Medicine (Penn Vet) has scientests and researchers working with dogs to see if their noses can help with early detection of COVID-19 in humans.

In this program happening right now, 8 dogs are being trained in a laboratory setting. Over three weeks, they will first learn to recognize the smell of COVID-19 in saliva and urine samples from infected patients (through an imprinting technique) and will then be tested to see if they can detect the infected samples from the non-infected samples.

Cynthia Otto, a Vet and director of Penn Vet’s Working Dog Center says:

“The potential impact of these dogs and their capacity to detect COVID-19 could be substantial. This study will harness the dog’s extraordinary ability to support the nation’s COVID-19 surveillance systems, with the goal of reducing community spread.”

So when could we start seeing COVID-19 sniffing dogs? These trained dogs could be ready to start sniffing humans by July.

A Special Bond

Sometimes a dog hears the heart before a human ever could, showing love and patience where needed the most. That’s why courthouse dogs will soon join legal teams in Stephens County: to help provide care for a child or victim and assist their emotional needs inside the courtroom.

Sunny, a courthouse dog who doubles as a service dog in training with K9s 4 Mobility, uses a specific blanket with his name embroidered on it to mark his place in the room.

According to District Attorney Jason Hicks, the blanket goes in the witness stand and Sunny follows. When the witnesses are scared or sometimes become agitated, the dog will provide comfort to help the emotions going on inside of them.

“The witness will sit down, and they are encouraged to take their shoes off and put their feet on him … and he just lays there,” Hicks said.

Those in the courthouse show excitement about this new program, which would make a courtroom experience more calming for many people.

“I think it’s something all of us are really excited about and I think it would be really good for victims and especially children in the courtroom, because this courtroom could be a really scary place, especially for a child,” Hicks said.

Michelle Woerner, CEO of K9s 4 Mobility, said the program she works for is accredited through Assistance Dogs International (ADI), which makes sure the K9s 4 Mobility operates at the standards of the ethics of the industry.  The organization works with Courthouse Dogs Foundation, which started the whole courthouse program about 10 years ago.

According to Woerner, Courthouse Dogs Foundation has set the standards and they’re an affiliate partner of ADL. They worked with the Stephens County Courthouse with the legal part and how to involve the dog, get judges support and more.

The process starts with a puppy with training in the home. From there, Woerner and her team will take over training, which moves to local, empty courtrooms by sitting in the witness box and eventually bench hearings.

The training process, according to Woerner, who comes from Cheyenne, Wyoming, allows to the dog to become used to the courtroom sounds and the variety of noises the dog will hear during a session.

According to Woerner, who works with Sunny, dogs in the program are trained to sit still as well as pick items up such as keys, a remote or anything someone has dropped on the floor and needs retrieving.

“We came up here to see what the courtrooms were like and Jason brought his kids in, so we had some kids to work with the dog,” Woerner said.

In visiting Stephens County, Woerner learned the courtrooms had a slight difference. Training rooms had a solid witness box, where the dog is not visible to the judge. Now, the judge can see the dog and the dog in turn had to learn somebody else would be moving around and not just the human they were accompanying.

The training team also scopes out the office and where the dog will live outside of work.

After the training team gets to know the courthouse and surroundings, they take the dog back and begin training them specifically for the job they will do.

“A courthouse dog has to be placed as part of the legal team,” Woerner said. “If they want a dog to come in and work with kids periodically, that would be a therapy dog and the person that has a therapy dog is not already privy to this information and doesn’t know how to work with the kids … and victims. So, it has to be a part of the legal team, so that they already have all the confidentiality.”

According to Woerner, the person working with the dog introduces the child or victim to the dog in what is called an interview room. The dog then builds a relationship and a bond with the individual within at least 30 minutes, allowing them to become comfortable with one another.

“Usually the attorneys will bring him into the courtroom to introduce him to the courtroom,” Woerner said. “It’s two to three times the child will work with the dog before they actually get into the witness box in front of a judge.”

Morgan Clark, 8 years old, sat with Sunny on the witness stand where Sunny laid at her feet, unseen to the rest of the courtroom.

“When the dog goes in the box, they know each other and are comfortable with each other,” Woerner said. “The dog is just supposed to lay there and be quiet, no whining, no barking, no moving, no playing. What they want is for nobody else in the courtroom to actually see the dog. Everybody knows the dog is there, but nobody should actually see the dog, once the dog goes under there that’s where the dog stays.”

Sunny knows a list of commands and does well with children.

“Sunny is very appropriate with kids,” Woerner said. “He’s not allowed to jump on kids, he doesn’t paw at kids. He has a command which is a head rest, where if you’re sitting, he puts his head on your lap. If you’re standing, he leans his head against you. That’s his way of saying, ‘I would like your attention, I’m comfortable with you. When kids are on the floor, he has to be laying down, we never want him to tower over the kids.”

Woerner said they teach all their assistance dogs certain skills, such as retrieving items for those with disabilities.

“We still teach our courthouse dogs to do that because when the child is building that bond with them, being able to drop something, like the remote control in the interview room and the dog gets it, it’s incredibly empowering for that child that maybe nobody’s listened to up until now, and they ask the dog to do something for them and the dog does it, and the dog’s happy to do it,” she said.

Woerner recalled a case where one juvenile, a past victim, became an offender and had a lot of emotions bottled up. Working with a dog in this case helped, Woerner said.

“When she comes in, she’s been very hostile, she’s been very violent and so we introduced him to her prior,” Woerner said. “She loved on him and he laid down on his blanket beside her and he laid there the whole time, put his head on her foot and … she stayed calm the entire time. The judge talked to her, she never raised her voice, she never became violent, and all he was doing was laying there.”

Woerner said mostly the dogs care for the victims, such as children and women that have been victims of different abuses, but they can be used in this circumstance as well. The dogs are also used with foster kids who need to sit in the courtroom with their foster parents.

Sunny has his boundaries and a routine, like breaks throughout the day, and they try to find a balance of work and play for the dogs. He has time to be “just a dog,” but if he has his vest on, that means he is working.

Reveals Rescue Dog

AMANDA Holden has revealed her rescue dog has saved her worried family during lockdown.

The Britain’s Got Talent judge says she is extremely grateful to pet Rudi over the past 10 weeks.

It comes as 75% of Brits say their pet is helping them cope during the coronavirus crisis, according to Battersea Dogs and Cats Home.

Battersea ambassador Amanda said: “I’m not sure what our family would have done without our rescue pets while we’ve been in lockdown.

“They cheer us up every day, they give us a routine to focus on when we’re feeling overwhelmed.

“They make the kids laugh when they’re finding it hard and missing their friends.”

More than 1,000 people submitted video clips and pictures of their rescue dogs and cats brightening up their lockdown lives for Battersea’s new Rescues to the Rescue advert.

Midwife Chelsea said her Battersea dog Percy helped her cope with the stress of being a frontline NHS worker.

She said: “Percy just takes all that stress away as soon as you walk through the door.

“He makes us laugh every day such as developing his own routine while we are trying to exercise with Joe Wicks.

“He’s our knight in shining armour.”

Naomi Hannah, 43, of south-west London, revealed her Battersea pet Potato has been like a therapy dog to her children.

She said: “My stepson has special needs and it’s been hard for him to adjust to what’s been going on, but Potato has been great for him.”

Battersea ambassador Paul O’Grady says his four dogs have helped him cope during lockdown.

Paul said: “I can always rely on them to put a smile on my face, no matter how bleak the news is.

“They’ve made my life a bit brighter while I’ve been in isolation and I’m thankful for that.”

Last year Battersea helped over 5,000 animals across its three centres.

However, like all charities, Battersea is facing a significant drop in income due to the coronavirus crisis.

The charity’s rehoming manager Becky MacIver, said: “There are so many rescue dogs and cats helping their owners right now – and many more who are still waiting for their chance in rescue centres across the UK.

“Now more than ever, Battersea needs support to help us be here for every dog and cat that needs us.”

Dogs Having A Ball

Christmas came early for these fur babies.

Marissa Ferguson-Berg of Summerville, South Carolina decided to gift her pooches a tennis ball extravaganza when she discovered you could buy 400 used tennis balls on eBay.

As soon as she received the shipment, she let her dogs out in the yard and placed the giant box on the ground. Ferguson-Berg’s dog, Thor, appeared to know exactly what was inside and attempted to tear through the box.

With a little help from the owners, the dogs were able to really dig into their new toys.

Video captured the moment the balls hit the ground and Marissa’s dogs set off running around in absolute bliss that can be felt through the screen.

These Recruits Will Be Helping Police

Sam, Roost and Blue received their certificates alongside handlers PC Ian Moore, PC Roxy Cramp and PC Tony Rouse on Friday (May 22).

Chief Inspector Lisa Kirkland and Inspector Gary Panther were on hand to make the presentations for the Cocker Spaniel and Springer Spaniel trio at the Carr Gate complex in Wakefield.

Ch Insp Kirkland said: “The dogs are as valuable part of the police family as anyone else and it is important that we recognise the crucial role that they play.

“They go through a rigorous training programme, to ensure they can support us in some of the most demanding and pressuring scenarios in the fight against crime.”

The dogs are trained to locate illegal substances in houses, vehicles and other situations, Ch Insp Kirkland said.

“Often these are secreted in places you would never expect, but the dogs have the skills and the ability to quickly seek them out and bring criminals to justice,” he added.

“The training itself is usually with their favourite toy, linking it to the scent of an illegal drug.

“They have no interest in the drugs themselves and it’s the reward of their toy that drives them.

“Each of the dogs that have received their certificates have their own distinctive personalities and they have been an absolute pleasure to be around.

“The handlers play an important role in their development and reaching this milestone is in no small part down to their dedication and empathy with the dogs.

“We look forward to having PD Sam, Roost and Blue on duty and I know they will each be a great asset to West Yorkshire Police and the communities we all serve.”

West Yorkshire’s Police and Crime Commissioner (PCC), Mark Burns-Williamson added: “West Yorkshire Police’s dogs and horses units, with their handlers, play a unique and significant role in helping to keep our communities safe and it’s fantastic that they are being recognised in this way.

“This initiative follows the recent introduction of ‘Finns Law’ which gives increased protection to service animals, such as police dogs.”

Mr Burns-Williamson threw his “full support” behind the campaign after hearing the story of Police Dog Finn, who was stabbed and seriously injured in the line of duty but whose brave actions were credited with saving the life of his handler.

“A member of the public contacted me with regards to more formally recognising the contribution of police dogs which is something I raised with the Chief Constable on their behalf, so it’s a nice touch to see it come to fruition,” Mr Burns-Williamson added.

“All the best to PDs Sam, Roost and Blue, as well of course to their human colleague handlers within West Yorkshire Police, I am sure they will make a real difference to our communities and something which the public I know appreciate as well.”

Carolina Puppies

Charlie Petrizzo has a calling to nurture puppies to become successful service dogs for those in need of healing.

Petrizzo is the founder and CEO of Project 2 Heal, a nonprofit organization that breeds and trains Labrador retrievers and donates them to service-dog organizations.

“The reason we do what we do is because most service dog organizations do not have a breeding program,” Petrizzo said. And as a result of not having a breeding program, they have to look through shelters to find dogs to train.

According to Paws With A Cause, 1-in-12 rescue dogs have the temperament to be placed as a service dog.

This failure rate can leave service organizations with lost time and resources and extend the time to place service dogs — which can sometimes take over three years.

Through its nature and nurture program, Project 2 Heal works to reduce the time and cost associated with training a service dog and pairing it with a person in need.

“We breed, nurture, socialize and train purpose-bred Labrador retriever puppies so that we can donate them to service-dog organizations across the country,” Petrizzo said.

Over the last 3 years, the organization has donated over 150 puppies to service-dog organizations.

These puppies go on to be furry companions of individuals with disabilities, special-needs children and veterans having trouble adjusting to life after war.

“Many of our organizations serve a lot of veterans,” Petrizzo said. “I think what the service dogs do for those veterans is they become a brother or comrade.”

Petrizzo went on to describe the relationship between a service dog and a special-needs child as a “social lubricant,” meaning it works to grease the engine of what some would call a friendship.

Project 2 Heal was awarded $3,500 as the SEED20 3rd Place and Community Vote winner.

Created by Social Venture Partners, the annual SEED20 program identifies, highlights and connects the community to the region’s most innovative ideas for tackling pressing social challenges.

The innovations can be developed by an individual or startup with a well-formed idea, an emerging nonprofit or a well-established nonprofit with a new program.

Some of the Charlotte region’s most innovative thinkers challenge themselves and the community and compete for cash rewards.

Each year, over the course of two months, a class of 20 nonprofit participants receives training, coaching, feedback and mentoring on how to tell their story succinctly and powerfully — who they are and why they matter.

Online Dog Training

COVID-19 restrictions created new challenges for the kennel but ended up impacting the business in a positive way.

“You can purchase all different types of packages from basic boarding, which includes two walks a day, all the way up to a fully trained dog by the time you pick it up,” said Kristi King, owner of Kristmatic K9 Training and Kennels.

“We have a dog camp program, for example, this board and train. The dog makes its own painting. When the dog goes home, the owner will get that.”

The facility offers a variety of services including unique boarding, service dog training, rehabilitating aggression, agility and obedience. People come from all over to train their dog at Kristmatic K9 Training and Kennels.

The kennel strives to make dogs as comfortable and stress free as possible when kenneling at Kristmatic.

“It’s our goal to give the dogs as much of a homelike experience, so that when we come to the kennel they aren’t stressed out and want to be here,” said King.

Due to the pandemic, the facility had to move all training classes to an online format. This move to online delivery has been well received.

“I’ve been very fortunate,” King said. “My clients are very loyal and almost all of them transferred over to online classes. I teach live classes through Facebook messenger. With everybody being home, I’ve probably tripled my class enrollment.”

King has also been offering an online training classes geared towards children. This class helps children learn to train their dog while being stuck at home.

“It’s been positive for our business, with people at home and switching to online classes more people are training,” added King.

New rules for in-person classes will be implemented to respect social distancing. All dogs and handlers must remain ten feet away from each other. There will also be hand sanitizer and wipes available at various areas.

King will be offering more workshops this year, including one in June with world renowned dog trainer Vit Singh, who is an accomplished trainer in many disciplines of dog training.

“I wanted to give the public the opportunity to work with him because he is really fantastic.”

King is now working alongside the Alberta Government to certify Service dogs and eventually her facility will become a testing site.

All the dogs that King owns have been rescue dogs that were deemed too difficult to rehome. King adopted them and rehabbed them, and they now live permanently with her. She currently has ten dogs, with one puppy coming to her in June.

King also works as an Animal Enforcement Officer for Fairview and has noticed an increase in calls lately, possibly due to people being home more.

With over twenty years of experience training dogs and ten years of training in the Peace Country, King is excited to now be offering homelike dog boarding to Fairview and the surrounding area.

Putting Service Dog Training On Hold

This Memorial Day we honor those who have served our country. But the COVID-19 pandemic is posing new challenges to our nation’s veterans, especially those battling mental health issues.

On a farm in rural Virginia, United States Navy veteran Danique Masingill and her team train service dogs for veterans.

“We custom train the specific triggers for each veteran,” Masingill said.

The program, Leashes of Valor, aims to help veterans with post-traumatic stress disorder, something Masingill struggles with, as well.

“For me it took a long time to get all the pieces into place. It was rough and there’s still crappy days, honestly, like, but that never goes away,” Masingill said. “You just kind of learn how to ride the wave better.”

But Leashes of Valor had to put their program on hold because of the coronavirus pandemic.

“We’ve suspended mental health treatment in a way for people that don’t know when this tool they’re waiting for is going to be available to them,” Masingill said.

A new Syracuse University/Military Times poll of more than 4,000 veterans and active service members finds many are worried about the pandemic. They consider COVID-19 a severe threat to public health, the economy, their communities and families.

“Things like a job loss, loss of financial security, in being disconnected and socially isolated, these are all risk factors that only compound and accumulate, you know, in terms of someone’s mental health,” said Nick Armstrong, and Army veteran who authored the report.

Syracuse University plans to continue polling veterans throughout the pandemic to try to ensure they get the resources they need.

Masingill is concerned about the potential setbacks for her fellow veterans.

“People aren’t looking for a handout,” she said. “They’re really just trying to be a part of something, and this currently is preventing them with being a part of something.”

She’s hoping to be able to do her part soon, getting more service dogs to veterans once restrictions are lifted.

Veterans Making Sacrifices

Today, the country honors the men and women who died while serving in the U.S. military. But for some veterans who returned home safely, their service meant sacrifices that continue to affect them in civilian life.

For local Marine Corps veteran Deanna Gehman, her service meant living her life with post-traumatic stress disorder, which debilitates her to the point where she can’t comfortably leave her home. Now, she finds solace in her husband, Mark, and new service dog, Cleopatra, and is on a journey to living a life without fear.

“You’ve just got to be vulnerable and tell your story because there’s so many people out there who think they’re alone.”

Gehman served in the Marine Corps from 1991-1997, and is considered a 100% disabled veteran. Her PTSD is caused by sexual military trauma.

“I was raped in the Marine Corps in 1996,” she said. “I reported it, but sexual harassment wasn’t big in the ’90s, and it’s an all-boys Marine Corps. I mean, we only had 1% women in the Marine Corps. … They kind of pushed it under the rug … and you’re tough, so you just kind of push it. … And it’s been compounded by multiple years of untreatment. … (I was) too proud.”

Gehman noted pain from the military is sometimes not seen.

“It’s invisible, and the struggles that veterans have, it’s within ourselves,” she said. “It’s a battle every day. … Come to my room at 1 a.m. You have a good night’s sleep, don’t you? I don’t even know what that looks like. I haven’t been to sleep in 20 years.”

After just turning 22 years old, Gehman made the decision to join the military because she “wanted to be part of something bigger” than herself.

“This is 1991, so the first Gulf War is going on and I wanted to help my country,” she said. “I wanted to do more than myself, and it wasn’t about me. … It does take a different breed of person to be in the military, because it’s not a job you can quit. You can’t just say ‘I’m not going to work today’; you have no choice.”

Gehman said she “loved” the Marine Corps and that it has made her who she is today, but added that becoming a civilian is “tough.”

“To try to find where your niche is; I ended up teaching,” she said. “I became an algebra teacher. I like to give, I like to help people. … I only can work about 14 hours a week; I don’t leave the house. (Mark) does all the grocery shopping. I don’t like big crowds and stuff.”

Post-service, Gehman said it takes a “long time” for any veteran to admit that they have a disability.

“I remember when I got my tag, I still parked far away from the disabled … because I didn’t want anybody (saying) ‘She doesn’t look disabled.’ And I didn’t want that stigma,” she said.

“I went to Walmart one time about 10 years ago (and) I left all my groceries there, panicked, and we only lived a mile from Walmart, and (Mark) had to come and get me. It was excruciating. So finally in 2016 they were like ‘You need a service dog,’ and it took me until last year, finally, two and a half years later … we got her.”

Cleopatra is a 15-month-old white Golden Doodle, still in training.

“I didn’t want anybody depending on me and that was an anxiety of mine,” she said. “I didn’t want to depend on anyone else, I don’t want to be disabled; I don’t want that. And then I saw (Cleo), and I was like ‘That’s my dog.'”

Gehman describes her life as a “prison,” saying a service dog will help “a lot.”

“They’re not pets; they help,” she said. “I’m in a prison, but I don’t tell people that. I cannot leave my house, I cannot go to Walmart, I cannot do the things that I’d done before.”

She does, however, go out with her husband, Mark, but said that for the most part she is confined to her house without him or Cleo.

“And I’ve never thought, until just now,” Gehman said, “I know (Mark) loves me and I know that’s OK (to rely on him), but I want to do those things. I want that freedom, and that freedom for him to be able to have friends. (Cleo) will be able to be my wheelchair to someone who can’t walk. My eyes to people who can’t see.”

It took her over 20 years to say “OK, I’m not this tough marine, and I’m going to ask for help,” which is what prompted the pursuance of a service dog, Gehman said.

“I’m a prisoner within my own world,” she said. “And I want friends, I want to go to lunch. I just turned 51, and I want to help people. That’s what I do; I’m a helper, and I can’t do that if I’m here, and I graduate in a year and there’s so much more I can do. There’s so much more that I want to do with my life. I have so much more to live, and I’m limiting myself by not utilizing the tools out there for me, and (Cleo is) my ticket to gaining access out that door; walking out that door without fear and without the hypervigilant.”

Gehman is expected to graduate from Capella University in 2021 with a Doctorate in Adult Education and credits her bright future to her husband and Cleopatra.

“(Mark) saved me. … Going into the Marine Corps I gained confidence, leadership, tenacity and just was able to overcome challenges.”

“What got taken away from me in 1996,” she continued, ” … was trust. I didn’t trust anybody. I had fear that I had that I didn’t realize I had before. I was fearless, and I was vulnerable. … Then after I was stripped of being able to be vulnerable, I was stripped of being able to be myself. I was stripped of being Deanna. I didn’t know who I was anymore.”

Once she met her husband, Gehman said he had the ability to see through “all of that.”

“He started rebuilding that platform back to what I had before,” she said. “There was much he could do to get me where I need to be, and now Cleo can take me out of the house. … Cleo is a steppingstone; it’s a journey.”

Gehman said the “triggers” to her PTSD will always be there, but now she is able to “handle” them with Cleo beside her.

Family With Emotional Support Animals

An Odessa woman and her two daughters are living in tents in the parking lot of Kingston’s Belle Park because they cannot find emergency housing that will accept their emotional support animals.

Kelly Hennessey and her two daughters, ages 12 and 13, left their home in Odessa after feeling unsafe living in the same triplex with a neighbour who was allegedly exhibiting dangerous behaviour and uttering threats against them.

They brought with them Hennessey’s pot-bellied pig and her daughter’s St. Bernard, both registered emotional support animals that the family will not leave behind.

“My daughter has PTSD and anxiety issues from a car crash,” Hennessey said. “I’ve had six hip surgeries and also have anxiety and ADHD. (The animals) are there to support us.”

On the advice of police, Hennessey was put in touch with Lennox and Addington Interval House, who told Hennessey to leave the situation and that they would find her and her daughters emergency housing in a Napanee motel.

Two weeks later, the family was evicted from the motel — Hennessey believes because of her support animals.

Frustrated by the situation, Hennessey purchased camping gear and moved herself and her children into a quarry in Napanee while they waited for emergency housing. But shortly after, they were asked to leave by local police.

From there, when none of the available community shelters would accept the animals, Hennessey was directed to join the tent camping community at Belle Park.

On Friday, the trio and their emotional support animals —a pot-bellied pig and a St. Bernard — arrived at the entrance to Belle Park, where approximately 30 homeless have been living in tents for the past several weeks.

Chrystal Wilson has been offering support to the residents of the tent community most days and raising money online for the community at her project www.kingstondelivers.com.

Wilson was at Belle Park when Hennessey arrived. She immediately took on the role of advocate for the family and started to help them navigate Kingston’s shelter system.

“I’m just a person,” she said. “I just happened to have witnessed how it went down.”

Wilson has been helping Hennessey call local shelters and see how they can get a space. Most won’t take the animals that come along with the Hennessey family, and others are saying the animals would have to be crated indoors, which they have not been trained to do.

“I’ve given up,” Hennessey admitted, in tears. “I just don’t want to fight anymore.”

While Wilson said she feels “relatively safe” at the Belle Park camping site when she’s there volunteering, she doesn’t believe it’s a place for a family to live. There’s no running water and no means for cooking food.

Hennessey said that while the Belle Park tent community has been welcoming, she feels unsafe camping in the lot off of Montreal Street. She said she has had items stolen.

“It’s kind of scary,” she said. “We’ve had our stuff stolen last night — an air bed and some cigarettes. But it’s OK. Someone needed them more than we did.”

On Sunday afternoon, when no shelters had stepped up to assist, Wilson paid for a hotel room for the family out of her own pocket.

“These kids can’t live here,” Wilson said. “No kids should live here.”

But when Wilson went to move the family in late Sunday afternoon, the hotel she had lined up — which was pet friendly — said no to the pot-bellied pig. She later found another hotel that agreed to allow the family to stay.

Wilson has started house hunting for the family, who has ready access to enough funds to pay rent somewhere and who simply need to find a safe, temporary place to escape a violent and dangerous home.

Hennessey described Wilson as “a godsend” during a moment in her life that she had never foreseen.

“When I was asked to leave my home, I was promised housing. It was supposed to be temporary. This was not supposed to … .”

Hennessey broke down.

“There’s such a lack of communication with everything happening right now.”

Hennessey and her children have been prepared to camp until they find a house, if need be.

“My daughter is the victim,” she said. “She should not have to surrender her animal or leave it behind so that we can find a place to live. I’ll move to a campground. They’re family. You’re asking me to choose between my children.”

Retired Military Dog

An Army Sergeant reunited with his Military Working Dog (MWD), now retired, on Saturday.

U.S. Army Sgt. Jake Ferkin was reunited with his Retired MWD, Iskra T160, after being separated for two years. Iskra is a 10-year-old Czech Shepherd who was a Patrol and Explosive Detection Dog. Sgt. Ferkin and Iskra were paired up in February of 2016, and trained for three months before deploying on missions to New York, Jerusalem, Sicily. After the “world tour”, the pair were deployed to Iraq, where they spent the duration of their time together. They were separated in 2018 and it was rough for Sgt. Ferkin. He was comforted knowing they would be reunited once Iskra retired. Mission K9 Rescue picked up Iskra in Ft. Myer, Virginia, and drove her 1,600 miles to Boerne, so the pair could be together again. “I am so excited and thankful to be reconnected with Iskra,” Ferkin said. “I cannot wait for her to be able to enjoy her retirement and have her take her place on Fort Couch.” It is important to honor and protect all of our military heroes; both two and four-footed,” said Kristen Maurer, president of Mission K9 Rescue. “Military Working Dogs have been a vital, life-saving part of our armed services, and they deserve our support when they can no longer work. We’re honored on this Memorial Day Weekend to have been able to make this journey in order for Sgt. Ferkin and Iskra to be reunited.

Service Dogs Get Picked Up

For all the parts of everyday life that the ongoing pandemic has brought to a crashing halt, COVID-19 didn’t stop the Pacific Assistance Dog Society from getting their latest litter of puppies to trainers on Friday (May 22).

PADS, which has existed in the province for more than 30 years, breeds, raises, trains and supports certified assistance dogs, before partnering them with people living with disabilities, and with community care professionals.

Dubbed the “Hollywood Litter,” the society had registered trainers come and pick up their newest four-legged trainees drive-thru-style in Burnaby on Friday.

One by one, trainers would drive up to a tent outside the PADS facility and have their temporary companion placed in their arms.

Each dog is eight weeks old.

Now, the dogs will get trained to do tasks such as: open and close doors, turn lights on and off, retrieve a telephone or other objects, pick up dropped objects, pull manual wheelchairs, carry items like groceries, retrieve medication and provide balance and stability to clients with mobility issues.

Service Dog In The Yearbook

An elementary school in Kentucky saved a special spot in its yearbook for one very good girl — Ariel, a service dog.

St. Patrick Catholic School in Louisville surprised 7-year-old Hadley Jo Lange by including a photo of the Labradoodle among its kindergarten class. Hadley Jo suffers from epilepsy, a neurological disorder that causes seizures.

Without Ariel, Hadley Jo might not be alive.

“This dog has really saved my daughter’s life,” her mom, Heather Lange, told CNN. “I don’t know how I could ever thank Ariel as a mother. She goes with her everywhere, to school, rides the bus with her, goes to her dance classes and soccer practice. She always has her eyes on my little girl. It’s a huge sense of security.”

At school, Ariel watches over Hadley Jo constantly. The 4-year-old pooch, who bonded with Hadley Jo when she was just a puppy, is able to recognize when the up-and-coming first grader is having an episode.

When these episodes happen at school, Ariel alerts teachers that something is wrong by barking. During seizures, the dog also lies down next to Hadley Jo and moves her body under the child to cushion her fall.

“It’s important for us to do all we can to foster our relationship with families and do what we can to support students,” Nathan Sturtzel, principal of St. Patrick Catholic School, told CNN.

“We love Ariel. She’s part of Hadley Jo’s family so she’s a part of our family too. Finding a place for her in our yearbook was an easy decision and it was a lot of fun to include her. We loved it.”

Ariel is also special for reasons beyond the love and protection she provides Hadley Jo. The Labradoodle is the only service dog in the archdiocese of Louisville, according to Lange.

To many, Ariel’s inclusion in the yearbook is just a sweet story about a little girl and her adorable dog. But to Lange — and other parents of children with epilepsy — it’s a story of victory.

“When I got the yearbook and saw that they included our service dog, that was one of the most touching moments of my life. The inclusiveness meant so much,” Lange said.

“It proved that we may not all look the same, we may not all learn the same, we have differences but it’s OK. We can still be kind and inclusive and accept each other. This yearbook is a huge reflection of that.”

Hadley Jo had her first seizure when she was only 17 months old. It came on suddenly while the family was dining at a restaurant.

“She was on my lap while I was eating, and out of nowhere my baby fell into my arms and her eyes rolled back into her head and she was jerking,” Lange said. “She was having a seizure right before my eyes, it was terrifying. She stopped breathing, and there I was, a mother who thought she was about to lose her child.”

Since then, seizures have become a normal part of Hadley Jo’s life. But with her puppy by her side, she hasn’t let it affect her happy nature and kind spirit.

The Lange family knows how lucky they are to have Ariel. Service dogs can cost anywhere between $20,000 to $60,000. They were able to afford Ariel through community fund raising, but not all families have the same opportunity.

That’s why Lange partnered up with the Epilepsy Foundation of Kentuckiana to launch Hope for Hadley Jo, a non-profit organization that provides funding for families whose children need service dogs.

Lange has also become a strong advocate for children with epilepsy, encouraging other schools to be welcoming and accommodating to them.

“It’s very comforting knowing my daughter has a home at her school where she is loved and accepted, even though she may not look like everyone else,” Lange said.

“St. Patrick made a choice to accept my child and her service dog. The acceptance and inclusion is a true sign of kindness and compassion.”

Life With A Service Dog

Riley Alberson is excited for graduation — and that her service dog is also being recognized.

The McAlester High School senior has juvenile idiopathic arthritis (JIA) and Ehlers-Danlos syndrome, which causes her joints to dislocate, constant pain, and daily seizures.

Multiple seizures each day can result with her losing consciousness without anyone around to help.

She suffered a seizure and passed out in a bathroom at McAlester High School earlier in the school year and the door was too heavy for Tango the service dog to open it.

So Tango pushed Riley onto her side to help keep her air way clear until someone found them.

“The door was too heavy for her to do her job so she got behind her and pushed her on her side so she could do her job,” Riley’s mom, Amber, said of Tango.

Amber said the school district has worked to help accommodate them and prevent similar situations from happening in the future — adding “I feel like she has been very supported at the high school.”

Tango is a mixed breed dog and was trained at Therapetics, a nonprofit organization in Tulsa.

She can open doors, turn off lights, take off socks, get medicine, and even sneaks the TV remote away from Riley’s sister when needed.

Tango is by Riley’s side at all times — and on every Walmart trip she gets to pick out a toy that she proudly carries around the store.

The family said anyone is free to ask questions about Tango to learn more, but they hope others learn proper etiquette around service dogs.

Riley said people not used to seeing service dogs will often try to pet and talk with them — but they should resist trying to interact with them.

“People don’t realize that they’re working,” Riley said of service dogs. “Tango can’t help me if I have a seizure and she’s being distracted.”

“They get excited because you don’t usually see a dog in a restaurant or something,” Amber said.

Amber said doctors couldn’t figure out why Riley was in pain as an 8-year-old before development of scoliosis at age 11 led to blood testing that revealed the other disorders.

Riley said she avoided the pain as a child by spending recess sitting and talking with teachers instead of playing with the other kids.

“It wasn’t that I didn’t have friends, I just didn’t want to go and do anything and join the activities because it always hurt and I couldn’t always do them,” Riley said.

Riley still spends time with friends and reads lots of books — including some favorites such as the Harry Potter and the Lord of the Rings series.

She also likes to draw, spending more time recently depicting nature.

Riley goes to Shriners Hospitals for Children in Shreveport, Louisiana, for treatment and only had to go once since restrictions were put in place during the coronavirus pandemic.

Her parents work at essential businesses so they’ve been concerned about potentially bringing the virus home with them.

Now Riley is preparing for graduation as MHS is set for a June 6 ceremony at a location and time to be determined if Oklahoma enters Phase 3 of Gov. Kevin Stitt’s Open Up Recover Safely Plan by then.

She has been accepted to Oral Roberts University and plans to become an anesthesiologist.

Soon To Be Service Dogs

On Friday afternoon, a plane touched down at the Sunport with a handful of adorable yellow Labrador puppies inside – each destined to be a service dog to those with disabilities. The pilot, Jeff Stewart, lowered the plane stairs before his 7-year-old daughter Emma delivered the 2-month-old furballs – Tucker, Taz, Rosco and Rabbena – to their “puppy-raisers,” who will care for them until training time.

The operation is one of many being done through a partnership between Canine Companions for Independence, a nonprofit that provides service dogs free of charge, and private pilots like Stewart around the country.

“During a time of such great challenge, it’s wonderful to be involved in something so positive,” Stewart said.

When the pandemic presented a problem for the organization, which typically relies on commercial airliners, Stewart and a handful of other pilots stepped in to make sure the pups get where they’re needed.

“It’s a much more pleasant travel experience than being put in a crate,” Stewart said.

So far, they have delivered 100 of the 160 pups from the nonprofit’s headquarters in California to puppy-raisers in Southern California, Colorado, Washington and – as of Friday – the Land of Enchantment.

After spending the better part of two years with the puppy-raisers, the dogs will head back to the headquarters for formal training and, eventually, be paired with combat veterans, victims of abuse and people with a variety of disabilities.

The puppy-raisers all gathered around the plane as each affectionate puppy was placed into their arms. Squeals of joy could be heard over the drone of plane engines with every reveal.

Last in line, first-time puppy-raiser Sandy Stulberg shook with excitement.

Finally, it was her turn and Emma carried a jetlagged Rabbena from the plane and placed her in Stulberg’s arms.

“We are so lucky to have you,” Stulberg said, putting her nose up to Rabbena’s. “It feels like heaven.”

Even behind the cloth mask, there was no doubt that Stulberg was beaming as she held Rabbena in the crook of her neck.

“My heart is singing,” she said, seemingly on the verge of tears.

The happy kind, of course.

Service Animal In Training

Mia Federico was on her way to eat waffles in the kitchen of her Georgetown home when her mom, Ellen, approached her with an idea: Would she like to train a puppy to become a service animal?

Ellen said she saw the ad online and immediately thought of her dog-loving daughter.

Then 13, 14-year-old Mia did some research and was immediately on board. She would receive a puppy, and through about 18 months, she would care for it and train it so that it will one day be donated as a service animal for another in need.

It was not long until they met Mochi, a black Labrador-golden retriever mix, on Sept. 27, 2019.

“I love training him,” Mia said of the experience so far. “He’s such a sweetie, and he’s a really good dog.”

The Federicos are volunteering through Canine Companions for Independence. Ellen said they liked the organization the best because it offers the trained dogs for free to an individual with disabilities in order to enhance their life—a gift that could easily cost $10,000-$15,000 through other organizations, Ellen said.

Canine Companions offers highly trained assistance dogs for children, adults and veterans with disabilities, according to its website. The nonprofit also partners with Baylor Scott & White Health to offer seamless patient care and therapy experience through expertly trained assistance dogs.

Each day, Mia cares for Mochi by brushing his teeth and grooming him. She also conducts two training sessions—about 30 minutes each—a day, she said. Mia is also responsible for socializing the dog and keeping up with his vet care as part of the volunteer agreement.

Mochi graduates in February 2021. Once Mia turns in Mochi to Canine Companions, he enters professional training at a regional training center for four to nine months, the website said.

Mia said only about 55% of trained animals actually go on to be service animals, but she is determined to make Mochi one of them.

And while Mia—and her family—have fallen completely in love with the dog, which will make saying goodbye harder, Mia knows when Mochi graduates it will all be worth it.

“I can imagine that the most rewarding part would be [the dog] graduating and seeing them with their new person,” Mia said. “All the hard work you put in and seeing them with the person that they’re going to help … I’m sure that’s the most rewarding part.”

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