Have you heard of “Paws and Stripes”? The goal of Paws and Stripes is to help our veterans of war feel comfortable enough to head out into society, to function and live life to the extent that we all do! Paws and Stripes accomplishes this goal through the use of service dogs. They match veterans with service dogs and train them to be comfortable with the use of that service dog. The service dog is specially matched to the veteran based upon his or her personality and needs.
How does it work?
The process begins with the veteran submitting the application and undergoing a mental evaluation. Once the application process is complete the vet is introduced to several puppies. Depending on how they bond, they are matched up. The veteran gets to choose his OWN service dog out of a pre-selected group of dogs. Then, for the next two years the vet and the puppy are trained, together. As they work and grow together they form a bond. Studies show that working with a dog releases a hormone that promotes bonding, oxytocin. This bonding is said to make the vet feel soothed and able to face the world and deal with PTSD as well as other ailments from wartime service.
How did Paws and Stripes get started?
John Stanck and his wife were a military family. John served three tours of duty in Iraq only to be sent home on his last tour with what we would all come to know as PTSD – Post Traumatic Stress Disorder. He took this very hard, had trouble adjusting to life in the normal world. Adjusting from the battlefield to the outside world was proving to be a challenge. In 2010, John and his wife, decided they had to do something. Not only for John but for all veterans. John found that working with dogs soothed him. The very act of being with a dog made him feel comfortable. Once John had a dog of his own, he was eager to live life again! So, they established Paws and Stripes, a nonprofit organization matching veterans with dogs.
To date over 80 vets have been served through this program. AND they never pay a dime. Paws and Stripes also ensures that at no time will a vet ever be denied entry into an establishment with their four legged companion. So please, stop by www.pawsandstripes.com to learn more about this amazing organization. Show your support of veterans of war by supporting Paws and Stripes!
