Veterans Alternative Offers Service Dog Friendly Retreats
Veterans Alternative is a Holiday, Florida based organization that specializes in providing services to Veterans who are experiencing symptoms of PTSD caused by their time in combat and/or military sexual trauma. They also welcome Veterans who served in support of combat, and the Veteran’s family. Veterans Alternative offers both daily programming for local vets and week-long Veteran’s retreats for eligible Veterans (out of state Veterans are welcome), and both opportunities are Service Dog friendly!
VA Service Dog Access Regulation Changes
For many veterans across the United States, their Service Dog is a lifesaver, literally. However, current VA regulations limit access to VA facilities to "seeing-eye dogs and other animals as authorized at the discretion of a VA facility head or designee." The proposed Service Dog access regulation changes would open VA properties to more types of Service Dogs. Right now, the VA is holding open commenting and is inviting your input.
A&E’s "Dogs of War" tells the story of vets, PTSD and Service Dogs
A&E will premier their docu-series, “Dogs of War” on Veteran’s Day, 2014. The docu-series is a collection of stories of dogs and Soldiers, stories of salvation, the salvation of dogs being rescued from a shelter. The same dogs go on to rescue former soldiers that have been medically retired, and are having significant trouble “coming home” and reintegrating into mainstream civilian society.
10 Service Dog Commandments
Few things in life have hard and fast rules and training, working and loving Service Dogs is no exception. However, there are some cardinal rules that should be followed by all teams for the benefit of the entire Service Dog community. We call these the "Service Dog Commandments."
September 11th, 2013: The Lingering Effects
It's been twelve years since America changed forever. While we as a society have embraced and grown with many of those changes, some of the painful effects of 9/11 continue to linger for many.
Until Tuesday: A Soldier, Service Dog and Salvation
Until Tuesday is the story of two wounded hearts. Both of of these souls had given great amounts of effort to succeed in their careers, and suffered the consequences. Over time, they found salvation in each other. This story about the bond of a Service Dog and his handler, is also a story about love and it's power to heal, a true story of a phoenix rising.
Being prepared to answer questions about Service Dogs in public
It was just a quick errand and you thought nothing of heeling your Service Dog in Training (SDiT) into the store. Her behavior is always excellent, she responds beautifully to your verbal commands — and you were just grabbing a couple of things. But when the manager approaches, your palms began to sweat. Even though you know that your state allows SDiTs and you’re doing everything correctly, answering questions about Service Dogs in public isn’t your favorite thing in the world.
EEOC issues revised publications on the employment rights of people with specific disabilities
Dogs for the Deaf in Oregon has launched one of the first programs in the country to train Autism Assistance Dogs — and they were featured a few months ago on KDRV Channel 12 in Medford, Oregon. A news crew came to film Dogs for the Deaf President and CEO, Robin Dickson and Canine Instructor, Carrie Brooks in a local mall where they were introducing the program to the public.
How developing a task list for seizure disorder and PTSD provided me some measure of relief
As I am walking to the dumpster outside of my apartment complex, I get a whiff of stale alcohol and I stop dead in my tracks. Of course I’m at home and I should feel safe, but in my mind I’m taken back to that night 10 years ago…