My thanks to Retired Sgt Debbie Reid for telling me about yesterdays letter to the editor. This service provides a companion dog for Veterans, As a dog lover and supporrter of the military and our Veterans, I feel it is a great project.Dogs are indeed man's best friend, loyal, true and loving.
Dog companions an aid to vets LETTERS TO THE EDITOR Editor: When veterans return home from duty in special duty areas or war zones, many are diagnosed with the invisible wounds referred to as Operational Stress Injuries or Post Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD). This is a difficult diagnosis for the veteran to live with and the general public to understand. It is time to treat PTSD with the respect and understanding it deserves. Elizabeth Baker, owner of Thames Centre Service Dogs in Ontario, is attempting to make veterans' transition easier. Her goal is to provide them all with psychiatric service dogs. Her goal is hampered by two major factors. Veteran Affairs Canada is unwilling to consider funding for the dog and its training. That leaves the veteran to try to secure funding through service groups. So far, the Ontario provincial poppy fund has come though for three dogs, however, let's be realistic; they certainly cannot be expected to continue to be the sole source of funding. For a veteran on a limited budget, $6,000 is a tidy sum. Veterans Affairs needs to be educated as to the value of the animal companion. These dogs are trained to handle many complicated tasks and contribute much to their handlers. They can assist with night terrors, depression and panic attacks. They offer the handler a sense of security and comfort when needed most. They assist in the identification of a disability without disclosure and can intervene when an uninformed individual attempts to assist the handler. Dogs will also take into consideration safety of the family and will react accordingly in case of a fire or accident. These dogs have the legal rights of any service dog and the expectation is that the community accepts them freely. Should you feel the funding issue is totally incorrect and unfair (remember, the dog is prescribed by a doctor) write to Veterans Affairs. Veterans need support and it can only come from you. Derrick Zimmerman, Kingston, Ont.
I researched the Thames facility:
Veterans
We love our Veterans and what they have done for us. We offer services to Veterans with O.S.I and P.T.S.D. with funding and assistance from other organizations. We are associated with Parkwood Hospital Operational Stress Injury Clinic and proudly provide therapy dogs to area hospitals and nursing homes for visitation.
We are currently involved in discussions with Veterans Affairs, The Poppy Fund and several other organizations with regards to the funding of service dogs for veterans. We will keep you informed of any developments that occur.
We are dedicated to providing Service Dogs to Canadian Veterans at no cost. Please ask us for more details when you apply.
This is the Link to check out Thames Services:www.thamescentreservicedogs.com/
This is another example of Canadians caring for our Veterans. Well done
Please show your support by wearing Red on Fridays
Nil Sine Labore
Robby
