Service Dog is Repairing the Damage of a Tough 9-Year Army Run

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As the consequences of serving their county are often very serious for veterans. While some have lifelong physical injuries, others can suffer from emotional damage and mental health issues, such as post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD). Their injuries and mental health issues can pose many challenges for veterans in their daily lives. Although there is often no cure, there are some strategies that can help them cope with the difficulties they face. One of these is to have a service dog.

Canines for Service is just one of the organizations that helps Army veterans to find a dog to support them in their daily lives. They individually match the dogs and the veterans to ensure that each veteran has a dog that best meets their needs. The specially trained dogs can then undertake specific roles. While some have been trained to support people to overcome physical challenges, others offer comfort to those who have emotional needs.

One of the organizations that support Canines for Services is I heart Dogs. They help to support the organization by donating a percentage of their profits to them. I Heart Dogs have also described to readers of their website some of the individual cases that these donations have helped. One example is Corey who is a United States Army Veteran who served the United States for over nine years. He was deployed on multiple occasions and suffered several injuries during the time he served. Corey’s mental health had also suffered as a result of serving his country. When he eventually retired from the Army, the impact of serving was affecting his life in many ways. He found it especially difficult to leave the house alone or to interact with other people.

Fortunately, Canines for Service were able to help Corey, and they matched him with Roman, a white and tan Labrador Retriever mix. While Roman had a lot to offer to Corey in terms of the support he could give him, this was far from a one-way relationship. Roman was just as in need of having a loving home with Corey as Roman was in need of having a service dog by his side. Before he was recruited by Canines for Service, Roman had been a rescue dog living in a rescue shelter. He had spent some time in the care of Rescue Animals Community Effort (R.A.C.E). This organization, which is based in North Carolina, was completely run by volunteers who look after abandoned dogs until they can find them foster homes. In Roman’s case, he was selected to take part in a training program to become a service dog before a home was found for him.

While taking part in the Canines for Service training program, Corey was quick to learn new skills. His trainers were unsure whether this was down to breed-related advantages or if he was simply a natural. They noted that while Roman was a fantastic working dog, he was also a lovable character that gave the best loves and kisses. After completing his initial training, Roman was ready to meet the person he would support. The two would then spend a further week training together. They took to each other straight away. In fact, Corey’s mom said it was the first time she had seen Corey smile properly since he had left the Army.

Even in the short time that the two have been together, Corey’s life has already improved. Before, he was struggling to leave the house and interact with people. Since he has had Roman, Corey has been able to get out of the house a lot more. This means that he has begun meeting up with friends occasionally. It has even given Corey the confidence to start making plans to return to work. The possibility of returning to work had seemed unimaginable just months earlier.

It is not only Corey who has benefited from this partnership, as Roman’s life has also changed for the better. While he had once been an abandoned dog living in a shelter, he is now living in a loving home and he loves his role as a service dog. I Heart Dogs told this story to mark the 100th successful pairing of a service dog with a veteran that was arranged by Canines for Service. This shows just how successful this organization is and the difference that it can make to the lives of both veterans and rescue dogs. Corey and Roman are just one example out of 100 that demonstrates what a worthy cause this is and how much it deserves the support.

Canines for Service continue to receive support from I Heart Dogs, along with the many other good causes they support. When someone makes a purchase from this website, the customer is told what percentage of the profits are going to a good cause. They are also told exactly how it will help, such as buying food for animals living in shelters to going towards transport costs to take a dog to a safe place.

In the case of Canines for Service, I Heart Dogs raise money for them as part of their Pets for Vets Program. When customers buy products from the site that say they are to support the Pets for Vets program, a whopping 20 percent of the profits are donated to the cause. This could make a significant difference in the lives of many. There are many more veterans who are suffering, just like Corey. Having a service dog help them through the difficult period following leaving the services can make a significant difference in how they cope and their enjoyment of life. It is only with continued support that organizations such as Canines for Services can continue to train service dogs and match them with veterans in need. With this support, there will be many more stories with happy endings, just like the story of Corey and Roman.