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The Department of Veterans Affairs will no longer cover the cost of service dogs assigned to people with mental disabilities, such as post traumatic stress disorder. The VA has laid out a long list of regulations concerning veterans in need of service dogs. The VA claims there is not enough evidence to support the medical need for the veterans suffering from PTSD or TBI.
The VA will continue to provide service dogs for people with visual, hearing or mobility impairments. However the department said it will be up to the veterans to pay for the service dogs’ needs if the needs are not clinically prescribed by a veterinarian. The funding loss comes as a blow to trainers and people who help place veterans suffering from PTSD, TBI and other service related injuries.
A solution to this problem can be found with several non-profit organizations, one being “Paws and Stripes.” Located in Rio Ranco, N.M., Paws and Stripes provides service dogs for PTSD and TBI affected military personnel. These service dogs are obtained only from shelters and are trained by professionals specializing in service dogs. It is the aim of this organization to provide these dogs and training at no cost to the veteran.
All dogs trained by Paws and Stripes are service dogs, not therapy dogs. It is important to know the difference between a therapy dog and a service dog not just because they perform different jobs, but also because you would interact with each differently.
A service dog is trained to provide specific medical assistance to one individual. Such tasks include medical alerts, mobility assistance, seeing eye for the blind and much more. When you see a dog that is a service dog, usually labeled on a vest, you should NEVER talk to, pet, stare at or distract the dog. If you distract a service dog, then this dog may miss a vital signal to provide a medical alert for seizure or miss a cue to assist with fall risk and more. Distracting a service dog puts the handler in jeopardy. An individual with a service dog has a disability that requires constant help. A service dog is not a pet, and pets are not service dogs.
Therapy dogs are trained to be very social with one or more individuals. Therapy dogs are taken to hospitals, nursing homes, rehabilitation centers, orphanages and other facilities for patient and residents to interact with the dog. They spend time with people who are ill, elderly, in recovery, or otherwise in need of comfort. Thus, their job is to provide comfort to many, rather that perform specific tasks for one.
Organizations such as Paws and Stripes rely on the general public for assistance financially. Contact for this organization can be found at www.pawsandstripes.org or by calling 505-999-1201. Go to www.servicedogsforveterans.com for additional organizations.
Hope Veterans Day was a memorable one for all. Thanksgiving is around the corner. There are many groups that provide Thanksgiving Dinner for veterans. Find one and volunteer. You will feel great.
Reach Jim Vines at jim.helpingveterans@gmail.com.
Viewpoints
COLUMN: Veteran's Corner
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Guest opinion: Campaign with honor
All politics is local and personal! I hope that you and your family have a wonderful summer, filled with relationship building experiences and times of relaxation. As you do all the things that re-charge us for the next round at work and involvement in community and political activities, let’s reflect on the 2013 local elections for a moment.
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TISCIONE: Woe for calling evil good
You don’t often see “woe” used in an article. It’s a word that has fallen out of usage in our day. But it’s a word that ought to be understood and taken seriously.
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Letters to the Editor – May 17, 2013
As mercury pollution threatens our waterways and carbon pollution-fueled climate change worsens extreme weather, we need someone in Washington who knows how to get things done.
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Letters to the Editor – May 15, 2013
I just wanted to express my heartfelt thanks to the slobs, idiots and inconsiderate people who continually decorate the beautiful Texas landscape with their trash. I guess it’s really a form of art with beer bottles and cans, boxes, plastic drink containers, food packaging and just about anything else you can think of. It just doesn’t appeal to me. Thank you.
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NOW HEAR THIS: Not by the hairs of my chinny chin chin
I had never really considered this possibility, but every one of the Three Little Pigs was almost certainly a guy. I know that assumption is not particularly popular from an equal opportunity standpoint, but the fact is fairly certain. How do I know? They all three had hair on their chinny chin chins.
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ESTES: Securing a bright future for Texas
Texas businesses have created more than 500,000 jobs since November 2011. Our economy is growing nearly 50 percent faster than the rest of the country and our cost of living remains low.
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TISCIONE: ‘It’s not about me’
“It is good to give thanks to the LORD, to sing praises to your name, O Most High; to declare your steadfast love in the morning and your faithfulness by night.”
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NOTES FROM THE JOURNEY: A Mother’s Day memory
A sight that always catches my eye when we’re out to eat is a mother and her young son eating alone. Carole sometimes has to touch my arm to regain my attention. Discretely, I observe the interaction between them and wonder what their story is.
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Letters to the Editor – May 10, 2013
Parker County Health Foundation would like to thank the lady who visited our office last week and made a donation to the Foundation. Although your name is unknown, your kindness is greatly appreciated.
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Letters to the Editor – May 8, 2013
As a lifelong resident of Weatherford, I attended our public schools as did my wife, son, daughter and granddaughters. I have been in business here for many years and paid my school taxes without complaint. However, I do plan to vote no on the upcoming WISD bond election for the following reasons:
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