Re: Service Dogs

by Rocko Sat 11 Sep 2021, 5:20 pm

Fire Team K-9's helping veterans battle PTSD

Published Saturday, September 11, 2021

https://ottawa.ctvnews.ca/fire-team-k-9-s-helping-veterans-battle-ptsd-1.5581788

by Reckersam Sun 10 Oct 2021, 8:55 am

Hounds of hope; U of S researcher investigates how service dogs can improve the mental health of veterans

The human-to-animal connection may reduce the risk of suicide in military veterans by providing unique social support.

Brooke Kleiboer
Publishing date: Oct 09, 2021

Saskatoon StarPhoenix and University of Saskatchewan.

by RanMerison Wed 10 Nov 2021, 9:28 pm

Health Canada funds training program for service dogs for veterans with PTSD

Published Wednesday, November 10, 2021

https://www.ctvnews.ca/health/health-canada-funds-training-program-for-service-dogs-for-veterans-with-ptsd-1.5660736

by **Spider** Wed 22 Dec 2021, 9:39 am

Fire Team K-9’s Inc. changing the lives of veterans, first responders one service dog at a time

Tina Peplinskie
Publishing date:Dec 20, 2021

A local non-profit corporation with the mission to source, train, and match service dogs with veterans and first responders has continued to grow and thrive despite the pandemic.

Fire Team K-9’s Headquarters in Pembroke opened in September 2020, providing grooming, dog day care and pet training classes and workshops all to fund Fire Team K-9’s service dogs program. The organization’s name pays homage to the smallest unit in the Canadian Forces, the fire team. A fire team is two soldiers who depend on each other. The service dogs are partnered with their handler to serve as their fire team partner for life. Fire Team K-9 knows that service dogs change lives and creating the right match is a priority so it will be there every step of the way to ensure bonding and success.

The founding non-profit Fire Team K-9’s Inc. was formed by retired Canadian military veterans based on the principle of partnership between dogs and their people. Fire Team K-9’s Inc. (FTK-9) is a proud service dog provider for Wounded Warriors Canada and the Royal Canadian Legion, Ontario Command.

FTK-9 service dogs are trained to help a veteran reintegrate into civilian life, noted Jen Hinch, director of operations and service dog co-ordinator.

“Often times our service dog is the missing piece of the puzzle for a veteran’s successful recovery from military life,” she added. “Soldiers are trained to rely on their fire team partner while serving in the military. Our service dogs are, in a sense, a fire team partner for civilian life. Having a partner by their side gives a veteran an increased sense of confidence and security, which in turn helps increase their chance of success after a life of military service.”

Since the Ottawa Valley has one of the largest concentrations of veterans across the province, the need for service dogs is great. During 2021, 15 service dogs have been going through the training process. Service dogs spend a minimum of 18 months to two years in training when they live with foster families. The service dogs in training are moved through different foster families which allows the animals to experience different homes and families as they learn and grow. FTK-9 service dogs spend hundreds of hours training and help their handlers by performing tasks such as nightmare and anxiety interruption and offer support in public.

The bond between a service dog and handler grows through extensive training together, over time, Hinch noted, adding the learning process is very similar to how a military unit functions seamlessly with experience and practice together.

“A service dog and handler pairing is a unique relationship formed by matching the right dog with the right handler,” she said. “By getting this match right both the dog and the veteran gain independence and a renewed purpose, together. Both service dogs and handlers are trained. They are taught to rely on and serve each other in a reciprocal partnership and the bonds that form are exceptional to witness.”

Highlights of the first year of business include serving more than 1,000 pets at the headquarters, offering eight different classes each month for dogs and their families and expanding the team of dedicated and qualified dog training instructors.

Fire Team K-9’s also has a community education and outreach component. Part of the organization’s mission is to provide education, awareness, training, and employment in the service dog industry. Through its services, training, workshops, and group activities it hopes to demonstrate the wonderful impact of K9 companions. Fire Team K-9 Headquarters employs a small staff and relies on many volunteers who dedicate hours to the cause.

Fire Team K-9’s also offers a student trainer program, which allows students to participate in dog training classes and work with service dogs while gathering community service hours required to graduate secondary school. High school co-op students also work at K-9 Headquarters in the doggy day care. This school credit program allows students to get an education on dog behaviour, dog training, and general business knowledge.

For more information about the organization, visit www.fireteamk9s.com .

Pembroke Observer

by Jeremiah Thu 17 Feb 2022, 9:20 pm

'Brightened up and I don't feel so desperate': Veterans fundraise to help veterans and their pets

Published Feb. 17, 2022

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CTV News

by Lux4795 Sat 26 Feb 2022, 4:13 pm

Some of the hundreds of dogs brought to British Columbia from Afghanistan have come full circle and are training to help B.C.'s military veterans cope with post-traumatic stress disorder through a program called "Operation Freedom Paws."

Feb 26, 2022

by Tazzer Tue 10 May 2022, 9:03 pm

University of Saskatchewan study shows service dogs improve veteran mental health

By Montana Getty Global News
Posted May 10, 2022

Veterans are considered heroes by many, but to veteran Mike Richards, his service dog Felix is the one who saved his life.

“I wouldn’t be here without a service dog,” said Richards.

Richards got out of the military in 2008 and was diagnosed with severe PTSD in 2009.

“And at that time, I didn’t really think life was worth living.”

But he wanted to be there for his daughter to see her graduate and walk down the aisle.

Richards got his first service dog in 2016, and has been a part of training and research programs ever since.

“The human-animal bond and the strong social support it provides can be the primary mental health support for people,” said PhD student researcher in the University of Saskatchewan’s Office of One Health & Wellness, Alexandria Pavelich.

“We need people to start realizing service dogs can improve our mental health.”

According to the Canadian government, suicide rates in the Canadian military are more prevalent than in the general population.

Male veterans overall had a 1.4 times higher risk of dying by suicide, and women, 1.9 times.

A recent University of Saskatchewan first-of-its-kind study was conducted by Pavelich which found that service dogs can help veterans in many ways.

Pavelich interviewed and followed the lives of four veterans and their service dogs over a 16-month period to see if there were any changes to suicidal thoughts, PTSD symptoms and substance use.

The study was completed as part of a broader study led by University of Saskatchewan sociology professor Colleen Dell.

Not only did veterans have reduced suicidal thoughts, but they also felt like they mattered.

“Once they had this dog in their life, they started to improve in every capacity,” said Pavelich.

Pavelich will be sharing her findings at the upcoming Congress of the Humanities and Social Sciences(Congress 2022), Canada’s largest academic gathering and one of the most comprehensive in the world in hopes of more people adopting the hiring of service dogs for veterans.

Researchers also found there are many reasons why these dogs’ dedicated service helps humans with chronic pain, addictions and mental health.

“There’s the technical skills that the dogs have, right? Whether they’re helping wake someone up of a nightmare or what have you… and then there’s the bond component,” said Dell.

Lindsay Mitchell is another veteran whose doctor had recommended he get a service side kick at the beginning of 2020.

Now he would not want to spend a day without his dog and he said Koda is better than any drug.

“I was heavily medicated for a very long time and this is by far the most positive difference of any treatment so far,” said Mitchell.

The findings are now part of a toolkit for service dog organizations to educate trainers on how dogs can play an important role in substance use recovery and peer support.

Global News

by **Powergunner** Wed 11 Jan 2023, 7:14 pm

Marine Atlantic rejected this veteran's service dog documentation. Now he wants an apology

CBC News · Posted: Jan 06, 2023

Service Dogs - Page 4 Jean-guy-dubuc-and-posey

CBC News

by **Apollo** Wed 18 Jan 2023, 4:34 pm

Council denies request for service dog statue at Kimberley, B.C.'s Veterans Memorial Park

Corey Bullock · CBC News · Posted: Jan 18, 2023

Service Dogs - Page 4 Kimberley-veteran-memorial-park

CBC News

by Monsfool Thu 26 Jan 2023, 6:24 am

Saanich police welcome new service dog

A service dog who provides mental health services for veterans and first responders is the newest member of the Saanich Police Department.

Wednesday, Jan. 25, 2023

CTV News Vancouver Island

by Rekert Mon 06 Feb 2023, 8:16 pm

A perfect pair: Local dog trainer, veteran seek to connect military vets with service dogs

Published Feb. 6, 2023

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An Essex County dog trainer is teaming up with a Canadian veteran to try and connect other Canadian military veterans with qualified service dogs.

They said service dogs can bring energy, life and joy back to those struggling with post traumatic stress disorder, but that the wait times to be paired with a proper dog are too long.

“We’re losing veterans every day,” said Cindy Weir, Veterans Elite Canines founder and a veteran of the Gulf War.

“We're not trying to save the world, we're just trying to save a life,” she said. “One dog at a time saves one life at a time, right?”

Weir said the not-for-profit group started after she was told the wait list to be paired with a service dog in Canada would take over half a decade, prompting Weir to train her dog herself.

“At the time it was a five to six year waiting list for service dogs,” Weir explained. “And if you have a veteran in need and you tell them that they're [going to] have to wait that length of time, it's kind of a disaster waiting to happen.”

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Veterans Elite Canines founder and Gulf War veteran Cindy Weir and Ontario K9 owner Ryan Isley seek to pair veterans with service dogs in Essex County. (Chris Campbell/CTV News Windsor)

Weir added, “So the next option was for me to train my own dog. And again, if you take somebody who's in crisis, and you ask them to train their own dog, it really can't be done because you're going to run into an issue with the dog itself and yourself.”

Weir said she eventually found a place in Florida that trained her dog Gracie pro bono since Weir is a veteran, inspiring her to partner with an Ontario dog trainer near Kingsville, Ont. in an attempt to pay it forward.

“Being able to give a veteran hope is just incredible,” Weir said. “We can be saving lives right now and all that's preventing us is funding.”

Ontario K9 owner Ryan Isley said it’s important to remember the sacrifices Canadian veterans have made, and added his business trains dogs for basic obedience and to be qualified service animals.

“It's a great tool. The dogs get to help veterans and the veterans get to earn a buddy,” Isley said.

According to Isley, “Humans have been using dogs for a very, very long time. We've used dogs in the war. We've used dogs in service, and we've used dogs as pets. There's a purpose for every dog out there, and these dogs just happen to have the purpose of serving for our veterans.”

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Veterans Elite Canines founder and Gulf War veteran Cindy Weir and Ontario K9 owner Ryan Isley seek to pair veterans with service dogs in Essex County. (Chris Campbell/CTV News Windsor)

Now, the group needs funding and sponsors for each dog to be equipped. They recently received a $500 donation from Holy Names High School in Windsor, Ont. and a sponsorship deal for two of the dogs through Boeing Canada.

Isley told CTV News Windsor, “We have dogs that are available. They are looking for more sponsors. We have had two dogs sponsored by Boeing Canada, which was an excellent opportunity and we are very grateful for it. But we do have three more prospects in the works of training that need to get sponsors to find a home for the veterans.”

Isley said the Canadian military needs to be taken care of “in the way you know they deserve,” and veterans being paired with the perfect service dog can be a life changing experience.

“We have to get these people back into society, we have to get them out into the world. These people need to wake up in the morning, and you know, everybody sometimes needs that little push to get you out of the house…and get your day started” he said. “So the dogs are able to do that for the veterans, and I think it's a great thing.”

CTV News Windsor

by **Colter** Fri 31 Mar 2023, 4:58 pm

'Healing each other': Island charity pairs veterans with rescue dogs to train into service dogs

Published March 31, 2023

CTV News Vancouver Island

by Mercury Mon 03 Apr 2023, 7:23 am

Charity teams up veterans with service dogs

A Vancouver Island charity is pairing rescue dogs with veterans and first responders in need of service animals. Gord Kurbis reports.

Monday, Apr. 3, 2023

CTV News

by Firefox Sat 08 Apr 2023, 9:12 am

Service dogs have a nose for Easter eggs at 25th anniversary event

Mark Villani . Published April 7, 2023

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Calgarians brought their furry friends to Calaway Park Friday morning for a special Easter egg hunt for dogs aimed at empowering children with autism along with first responders and veterans living with post-traumatic stress.

The event invited families to collect more than 7,500 eggs filled with special dog treats with all of the proceeds going to support local National Service Dogs programs.

National Service Dogs chair Alison Archambault said this year’s 25th anniversary is a testament to the importance of raising critical awareness for families in need of support.

“Independence looks different for everyone and National Service Dogs has been training specially trained dogs from birth right through until they deploy with their families and then supporting their families on a going forward basis," she said.

“We make sure the dogs are providing intervention support, safety support and getting them through their days in ways that are important to them.”

The event is especially important for eight-year-old Zali Jackson and her service dog in training named Hrafn.

As an autistic child, she doesn’t like loud noises, but she also has epilepsy and a history of absence seizures causing her to blank out or stare into space.

She previously had difficulty concentrating at school, but Hrafn has helped improve her confidence and her quality of life.

“She helps me with my seizures, she sleeps with me and she goes everywhere with me,” said Jackson.

“I was able to go down a water slide with her for the first time and even go swimming with her, to the doctor, and even to school with her.”

Other attendees of the event like Doug Provost brought along his six-year-old dog named Minnie to show support for veterans suffering from PTSD.

“Both my brothers have PTSD from serving in Bosnia, in Haiti, and what they go through, and what dogs have done in their lives is incredible,” Provost said.

“The dogs help calm them down and make them more understanding of other people and it really helped them a lot to come back to the real world as I would say, because what they went through is unimaginable.”

National Service Dogs Canada has raised more than $30,000 through Easter egg hunt events across the country with more donations coming in throughout the weekend.

CTV News Calgary

by **Forcell** Mon 03 Jul 2023, 7:46 pm

Veteran pushes for harsher penalties after service dog attacked by another dog

Nicola Seguin · CBC News · Posted: Jul 03, 2023

CBC News

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