Senator Smalley Strikes Again: For the Battle-Scarred, Comfort at Leash’s End

[Fumesucker]

The bill instigating this program was written by Senator Al Franken.

http://www.nytimes.com/2010/04/04/us/04dogs.html?src=me&ref=general

WASHINGTON — Just weeks after Chris Goehner, 25, an Iraq war veteran, got a dog, he was able to cut in half the dose of anxiety and sleep medications he took for post-traumatic stress disorder. The night terrors and suicidal thoughts that kept him awake for days on end ceased.

Aaron Ellis, 29, another Iraq veteran with the stress disorder, scrapped his medications entirely soon after getting a dog — and set foot in a grocery store for the first time in three years.

The dogs to whom they credit their improved health are not just pets. Rather, they are psychiatric service dogs specially trained to help traumatized veterans leave the battlefield behind as they reintegrate into society.

Because of stories like these, the federal government, not usually at the forefront of alternative medical treatments, is spending several million dollars to study whether scientific research supports anecdotal reports that the dogs might speed recovery from the psychological wounds of the wars in Iraq and Afghanistan.

More at the link..

[BrklynLiberal]

1. GREAT News. I personally find it hard to believe that there are any doubts that dogs can heal

psychological wounds.

They had "comfort" dogs at the WTC site during the cleanup effort. They were invaluable to those who sought solace and escape from
the trauma and stress of what was going on there.


Is there anyone who has not heard the stories of how one's blood pressure goes down when petting a dog or a cat??
This is particularly true if it is one's own pet.

[Fumesucker]

4. I have two dogs myself and I wholeheartedly agree with you.. n/t

[roguevalley]

6. I got sick last year and had a near death experience. That is, when

I keeled over, I had a vision of beauty and love and someone in a summer dress and sandals keeping me from going forward. I asked every nurse I met if when you pass out do you dream or have a vision. No nurse I've met said that should be possible. I know I'm still here because of my dogs, three sixteen and thirteen year old dogs that are blind, sick and extremely devoted to me. They are the reason I am still here. Dogs can keep you alive and save your soul.

[BrklynLiberal]

7. There are so many stories like yours that it is impossible to keep track of them all.

There are days that I would not go out at all if it were not for my dog...He has to be walked, and therefore I go out.

http://www.nctdinc.org/news/vetcentric.php

http://www.dogguide.net/25-hero-dogs.php

http://www.nydailynews.com/lifestyle/pets/2010/01/04/2010-01-04_canadian_familys_golden_retriever_angel_saves_11yearold_owner_from_cougar_attack.html

http://www.lhj.com/relationships/family/pets/what-bunny-did-for-love-a-rescued-dog-saves-his-foster-owners-life/;jsessionid=DOV1PH1TGG222CQCEARSAOQ?page=1

http://www.dogquotations.com/

[roguevalley]

8. its so cold here part of the year that I bought a dog treadmill for them

to get exercise upon. Its at jogadog.com. It keeps them limber and out of the vet. I know what you say about dogs. I would never leave them to the well meaning attention of my family. They are too old to be left alone.

[BrklynLiberal]

12. That is so cool. jogadog.com!!!

I have not gone on a vacation in several years since I would not trust my dog..or even my cats ..with someone else...
My dog is 12 years old..and I would never want to put him in a position of being less than loved and cared for 100%.

Boen:


Boen with Cassie...the cat that bosses him around.

[roguevalley]

14. what a noble dog. Reminds me of my uncle's dog, Saint. He was

a K=9 cop. :) Your cat is da bomb. Sure letting him know who lets him lay there. Lovely, both of them. They make you better don't they? My animals have made me better than I would be without them.

[BrklynLiberal]

15. Wow! You are right! I could not have said it so well...

They DO make me better than I would ever be without them!!!
:thumbsup: :hi: :pals:

Thanks so much for the kind words for Boen and Cassie. They are truly gifts from the universe to me.

[dpbrown]

2. That's my Senator

Thanks, Al.

[Beaverhausen]

3. whoa- they train the dogs to dial 911

from the article.

this is such a great program.

[felinetta]

5. And Fox and Cornyn and the rest of those humanoids didn't want Franken in office. Sorry, but

the best man won!!  Thank you Sen. Franken.

[UTUSN]

9. There's *nothing* smalley about him, so while getting the reference, I don't like it. n/t

[TorchTheWitch]

10. The audio slideshow at the link really made me sob

So incredibly touching.

[Aristus]

11. I vaguely remember hearing a 60 Minutes report years ago that demonstrated that

when men in prison are allowed to keep pets, rates of violence in the facility shrink to almost nothing. I don't think the program ever took off, though. Undoubtedly some taxpayers objected to prisoners receiving pets on the government dime; nevermind the demonstrable benefit. Just slash the funding...

Hope this program succeeds...

[laughingliberal]

13. Kicking for a great Senator. nt