Service Dogs for Veterans
Guide dogs have been helping humans for hundreds of years, but in recent years the use of dogs to help reduce symptoms of Post Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) and other Operational Stress Injuries (OSIs) such as anxiety and depression has been on the rise. VAC in their report acknowledged that ‘service dogs provided a reduction of PTSD symptoms, a moderate long-lasting reduction of depressive symptoms and a significant increase in the subjective feeling of well-being related to overall quality of life.’
Our branch of the Legion has had experience of this, one of our own vets has a service dog that has changed his life for the better. The training of this dog was funded in part by our Legion. This is something that we would love to become a regular part of our donations and actively reach out to help our local Veterans who suffer with PTSD and OSIs.
However, although the use of service dogs for veterans has been a topic with Veteran’s Affairs Canada (VAC) for many years, in 2022 the government response to the VAC sixth report on the subject ‘Incorporating Service Dogs into the Rehabilitation Program of Veterans Affairs Canada’ was a refusal for this therapy to be regulated or covered by them.
This is why Legion 88 is wanting to get involved to help our Veterans in Maple Ridge and Pitt Meadows.
See the full story from the Legion Magazine.
Service Dogs for Veterans
Guide dogs have been helping humans for hundreds of years, but in recent years the use of dogs to help reduce symptoms of Post Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) and other Operational Stress Injuries (OSIs) such as anxiety and depression has been on the rise. VAC in their report acknowledged that ‘service dogs provided a reduction of PTSD symptoms, a moderate long-lasting reduction of depressive symptoms and a significant increase in the subjective feeling of well-being related to overall quality of life.’
Our branch of the Legion has had experience of this, one of our own vets has a service dog that has changed his life for the better. The training of this dog was funded in part by our Legion. This is something that we would love to become a regular part of our donations and actively reach out to help our local Veterans who suffer with PTSD and OSIs.
However, although the use of service dogs for veterans has been a topic with Veteran’s Affairs Canada (VAC) for many years, in 2022 the government response to the VAC sixth report on the subject ‘Incorporating Service Dogs into the Rehabilitation Program of Veterans Affairs Canada’ was a refusal for this therapy to be regulated or covered by them.
This is why Legion 88 is wanting to get involved to help our Veterans in Maple Ridge and Pitt Meadows.
See the full story from the Legion Magazine.
