For many veterans, transitioning back to civilian life after serving in the military is fraught with physical and emotional challenges. Among these, mobility issues caused by injuries received during their service stand out as a significant barrier to achieving everyday independence and quality of life.
Service dogs are specially trained to assist individuals with disabilities, including those related to mobility. For veterans, service dogs offer physical assistance while also having the ability to alert in advance to PTSD episodes such as anxiety/panic attacks, nightmares, seizures, and/or diabetic alert etc.
This article explores how service dogs are revolutionizing mobility for veterans, shedding light on their training, specific tasks, and profound impact on the lives of those who have served. As we explore this topic, we’ll uncover the incredible ways service dogs are helping veterans regain their independence and navigate the complexities of daily life with confidence and ease.
The Many Ways Service Dogs Can Assist with Mobility
At Guardian Angels Medical Service Dogs, we can train and pair dogs for veterans who have lost a limb or have suffered other injuries that have left them permanently disabled. These dogs are trained in various tasks, including retrieving dropped items, opening and closing doors, turning light switches on and off, providing physical support for balance or stability, and more.
Moreover, service dogs can also help with tasks that may seem small but significantly impact a veteran’s daily life. For example, they can assist with fetching items from the refrigerator or pantry, hitting buttons to open doors or elevators, etc. These seemingly simple tasks can be challenging for those with mobility issues and can often lead to frustration, loss of independence, and depression.
There are different levels of mobility among those who require assistance, so each dog is specifically trained to meet the needs of its recipient. Some veterans may have vertigo due to a brain injury or a leg that gives out, so a service dog can be trained to provide them with balance. The service dog can also be trained to brace for veterans who need help getting out of a chair or bed.
For assistance with mobility, our service dogs are trained to wear balance harnesses, which look similar to a guide dog harness and feature a bar the recipient can hold onto. During our application process, we get an in-depth look at the veteran’s disability and challenges, training their service dog to their specific needs.
How Service Dogs Are Trained to Brace
When teaching them how to brace, we first teach them to stand by giving them a command. At the same time, we scratch their belly and put a small amount of pressure on their shoulders. When using a service dog to brace, you never want to place pressure anywhere else on their back. Bracing on a service dog using any other part of their body can result in injury, so it must always be done directly over their shoulders.
While training, we gradually add pressure, but a dog should never hold a person’s entire weight. Bracing is a task offering some assistance to aid in balance but is not intended to provide total support.
Our service dogs often learn this command quickly. Once they understand it, we practice various positions, like getting off the ground, sitting down from a standing position, or getting up from a chair. We work with them on the maneuvers with this command to ensure they are trained in various situations where bracing may be needed.
What Other Ways Do Service Dogs Assist Veterans?
In many cases, a veteran’s mobility issues can also be combined with PTSD, Traumatic Brain Injury, or seizures. Using scent samples, these dogs learn to detect changes in blood chemistry, allowing them to alert their handlers to the onset of PTSD-induced nightmares, hypervigilance, anger, or anxiety attacks. This same methodology is applied to teach service dogs to recognize changes in blood sugar levels or impending seizures, giving recipients advance notice to take necessary precautions.
Additionally, service dogs are trained to respond to chemical imbalances that trigger anxiety or panic attacks by nuzzling, licking, standing over, or pawing at their handlers. These actions remind the individual to take medication or use relaxation techniques. For those with PTSD, service dogs provide an added layer of assistance in public or unfamiliar settings through a task known as “shielding.”
Positioning themselves between their handler and an approaching stranger helps prevent potential triggers, thereby reducing anxiety and enhancing the handler’s confidence in navigating daily life. These amazing animals provide their recipients with nonjudgmental and unconditional love. In addition, they offer veterans who feel isolated and lonely a way to improve their mental well-being by simply being by their side 24/7, unlike other forms of treatments or therapy that are temporary.
More than twenty-two veterans die by suicide each day, with over 39 daily attempts in 2023, and numbers are rising at alarming rates. Service Dogs play a significant role in preventing suicide. In the last 14 years, we’ve had many people come to us who had suicide attempts and ideations, but with the assistance of our service dogs, we have not had a suicide among our recipients.
Service dogs also may help veterans dramatically reduce the number of medications they take. Many veterans take multiple medications to manage their nightmares, anxiety, etc. With the assistance of a service dog and under their doctor’s care, they can often reduce or get off their medications.
A service dog’s presence can also improve a veteran’s overall life. In the US, we have a divorce rate of about 47%; for those with a disabled family member, this rises by an additional 90%.
With the help of service dogs, veterans can significantly improve their quality of life and relationships. Our service dogs help create a more positive home environment and prevent secondary factors in veteran families, such as intergenerational PTSD.
How You Can Make an Impact on Veterans’ Lives
In conclusion, the transformative role of service dogs in the lives of veterans cannot be overstated. These remarkable, highly skilled canines enhance mobility and independence, foster emotional healing, and build confidence.
As veterans navigate the complexities of life after service, the unwavering support of a service dog can make all the difference, providing a sense of purpose and stability amidst challenges. By addressing both physical and mental health needs, service dogs play an essential role in restoring hope and enriching the lives of those who have bravely served.
As we continue to advocate for these incredible partnerships, we can cultivate a community of compassion and gratitude, ensuring every veteran receives the support they deserve. Together, we can foster a brighter future marked by resilience, healing, and the joyful companionship and assistance that service dogs so selflessly provide.
At Guardian Angels Medical Service Dogs, we provide veterans, first responders, and some civilians with service dogs who can help mitigate the challenges of PTSD and several other permanent disabilities, allowing them to re-enter society and reconnect with their loved ones. To learn more about our mission and how you can help provide service dogs for veterans, visit our website today!
Mrs. Borden’s expertise and accomplishments are acknowledged by numerous national awards from various industries and agencies including the 2018 Corporate Pet Industry Woman of the Year and multiple awards for her organization’s work in mental health and suicide prevention.
She is frequently requested as a Keynote Speaker, and as an Industry Consultant to teach service dog laws to judicial systems, attorneys, and businesses, and to assist in service dog bills in multiple states that were passed into law. In 2020, she started an Institute for Higher Learning and the Borden Veterinary Hospital. Additionally, she has written and teaches college-accredited/VA-approved apprenticeship courses on dog training and service dog training.
- The Role of Service Dogs in Physical Rehabilitation for Veterans - September 27, 2024
- The Role of Donations in Matching Medical Service Dogs with Those in Need - August 21, 2024
- In the Spotlight- Caroline Shaffer - August 9, 2024
