My Pet World: Service dogs give more than medicine to PTSD veterans

Ralph Matson says his service dog changed his life, and perhaps even saved his life. Simultaneously, he saved his dog's life. Beef, a pug, was a three-year-old rescue dog when he was paired with Matson, and trained to respond to Matson's post-traumatic stress disorder.

Matson pauses, and attempts, without success, to hold back his emotions. "I can't imagine what my life would be like if it wasn't for this dog." He's petting Beef, who sits in his lap as he talks.

"We have the technology to rebuild body parts of injured veterans, artificial hands and legs; but no technology to deal with PTSD," says Tracy Libby, author of "Reporting for Duty: True Stories of Wounded Veterans and Their Service Dogs" (i-5 Publishing, Irvine, CA, 2015; $29.95).

According to the United States Veterans Administration, 22 veterans commit suicide daily, that's one every 65 minutes, a statistic that exceeds the suicide percentage in the general population. Also, this data doesn't include failed suicide attempts of veterans. At least 40 percent of these veteran suicides have been diagnosed with post-traumatic stress disorder, according to Libby; and most experts agree PTSD often goes undiagnosed.

"The hardest part is coming forward to admit there's a problem, and to seek help," says Matson. "The very nature of what PTSD does is to shut people down, and keep them secluded."

"It's hard to make an argument that the service dogs don't save lives," Libby says. PTSD veterans with a service dog have suicide rates about the same as the general public.

Libby explains traditional treatment for PTSD includes various medications. Libby says she has little doubt that many meds are necessary. However, paired with a service dog, many veterans require fewer meds (sometimes even no medication), and perhaps lower dosages of the drugs they still use. That's not to mention that many drugs have side effects (and then more drugs are then required to control those side effects) -- dogs do not have side effects.

In 2012, the VA pulled their support for service dogs for veterans with PTSD, suggesting a lack of data about their benefits. Libby says she doesn't understand the decision since there are studies that support the use of service dogs for veterans with PTSD. Moreover, just ask the veterans with PTSD who are lucky enough to have a service dog, which is what Libby does in her book.

Formal training of service dogs for vets with PTSD is expensive. Of course, the investment arguably pays off with U.S. taxpayers supporting fewer unemployed vets and fewer veterans requiring as much medication.

One model to provide needed service dogs is called Pets for Vets, a Chicago-area based program. Shelter and rescue dogs (sometimes destined for euthanasia) are paired with veterans.

Despite the VA's misgivings about supporting service dogs for PTSD veterans, Chicago City Clerk Susana Mendoza is an enthusiastic supporter of Pets for Vets.

"The service dogs save lives of veterans or at least keeps some out of the emergency room. And dog lives are saved," Mendoza says. "All this saves taxpayer dollars, too. This is the kind of thing government should be supporting, it's common sense. Not supporting service dogs for vets is cutting your nose to spite your face."

One shortcoming of the program is that shelters and rescue have few financial resources to provide for the training of service dogs. However, in the Chicago area, the Fifth Third Bank stepped up to offer financial support.

Andrew Hayes, VP regional marketing and public relations director says, "After hearing veterans like Ralph, how can you not get involved? It's a way to easily make a difference for both veterans, and animals who need a second chance. I believe these animals are just as grateful as the veterans."

Today, Matson volunteers to help other PTSD veterans to get a service dog with a nonprofit called War Dogs Making It Home (http://wardogsmakingithome.org/).

In her book, Libby writes about a 93-year-old World War II veteran with PTSD who at the age of 87 began a foundation to help to provide veterans with service dogs. "He raised over five million (dollars) to help others," says Libby. "Still, even now, he credits his service dog, Cash, for helping get through every day."

Matson continues petting Beef. "I can now go to the shopping mall with my wife," he says. "PTSD will never go away -- but I can better manage now. And I feel productive again."

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