In our firm we are confirmed believers in the benefit of canine companions. Our paralegal, Jayne, and her dog, Magic, recently completed their therapy dog certification and are well on their way to helping brighten up the days of nursing home residents in their area. Therapy dogs provide many services throughout our country. They visit hospitals, nursing homes and even participate in local libraries helping children develop reading skills. Dogs are all about unconditional love and compassion, a trait which benefits humans in many ways.
Now, therapy dogs are finding their way to Iraq to help soldier’s with the stress of war. The Veteran’s Administration has approved the use of canine officers to help our soldiers in coping with the trials and tribulations of deployment.
America’s VetDogs has served the needs of veterans since 1946. Originally providing service dogs for soldiers who are blind or visually impaired, they have expanded to meet the needs of many returning vets with a variety of services, free of charge. America’s VetDogs is a subsidiary of the non-profit Guide Dog Foundation for the Blind.
In recent years, we have become more aware of the tremendous role therapy dogs can take in relieving stress in traumatic situations. Therapy dogs were on site on 911 providing a respite to distressed rescue workers and now, they are making their way to Iraq where their very presence eases the lives of the soldiers fortunate enough to enjoy their benefits.
PTSD has become a major problem for returning soldiers and what better way to circumvent the devastation to soldier’s lives than a visit by a K-9 officer? Whether it’s just a moment to bond with a dog or lighten the day with a game of fetch, the mental health benefits of interactions with canines is well-known. Dogs come pre-loaded with all the love, understanding and joy required to offset the dangers of war-time. Dogs are ready confidants and infinite optimists without agendas.
We often talk about troop morale. But with an ongoing deployment such as the one in Iraq, it is hard not to suffer from stress. Stress is not only situational but includes concerns about what is going on at home and separation from loved ones. A therapy dog brings with it a touch of home and a moment to forget the rigors of deployment. Many soldiers have befriended the stray dogs of Iraq and Operation Baghdad Pups endeavors to bring canine companions back to the states to reunite with their veteran buddies. VetDogs has acknowledged this need by deploying canines.
Though some have questioned the effectiveness of deploying trained therapy dogs, their success has been proven through their work with veterans across the United States. These highly trained canines can serve their country in many ways whether serving overseas or assigned to military hospitals in the USA. Regardless of where they are called into service they will provide a completely non-judgmental ear which will allow soldiers to combat the emotional difficulties of deployment.
http://www.vetdogs.org/
Operation Baghdad Pups
Attorney Gordon Johnson
Chair Traumatic Brain Injury Litigation Group, American Association of Justice
g@gordonjohnson.com :: 800-992-9447 :: Attorney Gordon S. Johnson, Jr.
http://subtlebraininjury.com :: http://brainanatomyguide.com :: http://car-accident-rain.com :: http://tbilaw.com
http://waiting.com :: http://vestibulardisorder.com :: http://youtube.com/profile?user=braininjuryattorney
Purple Heart won’t be awarded for PTSD
Date: 1/8/2009
By PAULINE JELINEK
Associated Press Writer
WASHINGTON (AP) — The Pentagon on Thursday sought to assure troops that it takes post-traumatic stress seriously despite the recent decision not to award the Purple Heart to those with the disorder.
An advisory committee concluded that troops coming home from the wars with combat stress cases collectively known as post-traumatic stress disorder will not qualify for the prestigious medal awarded to service members wounded in action.
“I don’t think anybody should assume that that decision is in any way reflective on how seriously we take the problem of PTSD,” Defense Department press secretary Geoff Morrell said. He noted that the military is budgeting money for research, development, treatment and preventive measures.
“Just because an awards committee believes this particular injury does not qualify for this award does not in any way reflect that we don’t take this problem seriously and aren’t committed to doing everything we possibly can toward preventing it, toward treating it, toward taking care of those who are suffering with it,” he told a Pentagon press conference.
Troops with post-traumatic stress can have flashbacks of their time at war, nightmares, sleeplessness and other debilitating symptoms.
Nearly 20 percent of military service members who have returned from Iraq and Afghanistan — 300,000 in all — are estimated to have symptoms of PTSD or major depression, according to a study last year by the RAND Corp. research organization.
Though full-blown symptoms may not surface immediately, doctors say symptoms can be lessened and controlled with early treatment and that most people can return to their duties.
The Pentagon decided in November that troops with the disorder cannot be awarded the Purple Heart, but the decision was not known until it appeared Monday on the Web site of Stars and Stripes newspaper.
“The Purple Heart recognizes those individuals wounded to a degree that requires treatment by a medical officer, in action with the enemy or as the result of enemy action where the intended effect of a specific enemy action is to kill or injure the service member,” Defense Department Eileen Lainez said of the decision. “PTSD is an anxiety disorder caused by witnessing or experiencing a traumatic event.” It is not “a wound intentionally caused by the enemy from an outside force or agent,” but is a secondary effect caused by witnessing or experiencing a traumatic event.
Veterans diagnosed with PTSD “still warrant appropriate medical care and disability compensation, Lainez said, and the department “is working hard to encourage service members and their families to seek care for PTSD by reducing the stigma and urging them to seek professional care.”
___
On the Net:
Defense Department: http://www.defenselink.mil/
Copyright 2009 The Associated Press.
Attorney Gordon Johnson
Chair Traumatic Brain Injury Litigation Group, American Association of Justice
g@gordonjohnson.com :: 800-992-9447 :: Attorney Gordon S. Johnson, Jr.
http://subtlebraininjury.com :: http://brainanatomyguide.com :: http://car-accident-rain.com :: http://tbilaw.com
http://waiting.com :: http://vestibulardisorder.com :: http://youtube.com/profile?user=braininjuryattorney
By PAULINE JELINEK
Associated Press Writer
WASHINGTON (AP) — The Pentagon on Thursday sought to assure troops that it takes post-traumatic stress seriously despite the recent decision not to award the Purple Heart to those with the disorder.
An advisory committee concluded that troops coming home from the wars with combat stress cases collectively known as post-traumatic stress disorder will not qualify for the prestigious medal awarded to service members wounded in action.
“I don’t think anybody should assume that that decision is in any way reflective on how seriously we take the problem of PTSD,” Defense Department press secretary Geoff Morrell said. He noted that the military is budgeting money for research, development, treatment and preventive measures.
“Just because an awards committee believes this particular injury does not qualify for this award does not in any way reflect that we don’t take this problem seriously and aren’t committed to doing everything we possibly can toward preventing it, toward treating it, toward taking care of those who are suffering with it,” he told a Pentagon press conference.
Troops with post-traumatic stress can have flashbacks of their time at war, nightmares, sleeplessness and other debilitating symptoms.
Nearly 20 percent of military service members who have returned from Iraq and Afghanistan — 300,000 in all — are estimated to have symptoms of PTSD or major depression, according to a study last year by the RAND Corp. research organization.
Though full-blown symptoms may not surface immediately, doctors say symptoms can be lessened and controlled with early treatment and that most people can return to their duties.
The Pentagon decided in November that troops with the disorder cannot be awarded the Purple Heart, but the decision was not known until it appeared Monday on the Web site of Stars and Stripes newspaper.
“The Purple Heart recognizes those individuals wounded to a degree that requires treatment by a medical officer, in action with the enemy or as the result of enemy action where the intended effect of a specific enemy action is to kill or injure the service member,” Defense Department Eileen Lainez said of the decision. “PTSD is an anxiety disorder caused by witnessing or experiencing a traumatic event.” It is not “a wound intentionally caused by the enemy from an outside force or agent,” but is a secondary effect caused by witnessing or experiencing a traumatic event.
Veterans diagnosed with PTSD “still warrant appropriate medical care and disability compensation, Lainez said, and the department “is working hard to encourage service members and their families to seek care for PTSD by reducing the stigma and urging them to seek professional care.”
___
On the Net:
Defense Department: http://www.defenselink.mil/
Copyright 2009 The Associated Press.
Attorney Gordon Johnson
Chair Traumatic Brain Injury Litigation Group, American Association of Justice
g@gordonjohnson.com :: 800-992-9447 :: Attorney Gordon S. Johnson, Jr.
http://subtlebraininjury.com :: http://brainanatomyguide.com :: http://car-accident-rain.com :: http://tbilaw.com
http://waiting.com :: http://vestibulardisorder.com :: http://youtube.com/profile?user=braininjuryattorney