Disabled Veterans National Foundation & Patriot PAWS

A partnership to give man’s best friend to disabled veterans and provide a better quality of life.

DVNF & Patriot PAWSDisabled Veterans National Foundation (DVNF) and Patriot PAWS are teaming up to give veterans with mental and/or physical disabilities a chance at a much better quality of life.DVNF will raise $50,000 for Patriot PAWS so that they can continue the outstanding work they do to train service dogs and provide them to veterans in need at no cost.

Service Dogs“…for the first time, I forgot to be angry.”“…he’s the best medicine of all.”“…I feel safe and more free than I have in years.”“…he has given me a reason for being.”“…now I have better dreams.”

Service DogsWhen the battle is over, for some, it has only just begun.Some studies indicate that roughly 20% of OIF/OEF veterans suffer from post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) and/or depression. http://www.veteransandptsd.com/PTSD-statistics.htmlApproximately 260,000 veterans of OIF/OEF have also been diagnosed with Traumatic Brain Injury (TBI).

The Science of Service Dogs

One scientific study showed that service dogs assist in the brain’s production of oxytocin, also known as the “bonding hormone.”1

Oxytocin is a naturally occurring chemical produced by the hypothalamus that has proven to be a major component in improving symptoms associated with post-traumatic stress.

There have also been findings from brain scans that service dogs increased peripheral oxytocin levels in the body. Just the very presence of the dog can ease the symptoms of an unsettled mind.

1. The United States Army Medical Department Journal. Canine-Assisted Therapy in Military Medicine. 2012. Available at: www.cs.amedd.army.mil/FileDownload-public.aspxdocid=73e8d2aa-1a2a-467d-b6e3-e73652da8622.

The Science of Service Dogs

In another study that focused more on the first-hand experiences of individuals with PTSD, they found that 82 percent of patients who were assigned a service dog had a decrease in their symptoms.2

In addition, 40 percent of patients actually had a decrease in the amount of medication they were taking.

As for patients with severe physical disabilities who have been reliant upon family and friends for assistance, it was found that on average, individuals with service dogs required an average of 4.3 hours less each week from outside help.2. Borchard, T. (2011). A Dog Named Slugger: How Service Dogs Improve

the Lives of Many. Psych Central. Retrieved on February 10, 2015, from http://psychcentral.com/lib/a-dog-named-slugger-how-service-dogs-improve-the-lives-of-many/0007602

How Service Dogs HelpFor veterans with PTSD, service dogs have a tremendous positive impact. These dogs offer a comforting presence and allow veterans to feel more at ease in surroundings they find uncomfortable.For veterans suffering from mobility limitations, pain, or any other type of disability, service dogs can truly be life saving.

What Do Service Dogs Do?

Mobility service dogs are trained to perform many services including:

Get help in emergenciesPick up and retrieve itemsOpen and close doors and cabinetsPull wheelchairsProvide bracing to stand, walk, and sit downHelp with chores, such as laundryTake shoes and socks off

What Do Service Dogs Do?

Post-traumatic stress service dogs are trained to mitigate symptoms such as:

NightmaresFlashbacksAnxietyDepressionSleep disturbancesSubstance abuseDifficulty with relationships

Keith Campbell & “Star”

Army Staff Sergeant Keith Campbell served two tours in Iraq and one in Afghanistan, and was wounded by an IED on his second tour in Iraq. He suffers from post-concussive syndrome, migraines, a herniated disc in his back, and PTS.In March 2012, Campbell received Star, a female yellow Lab donated as a puppy to Patriot PAWS by the Order of the Eastern Star.

Keith Campbell & “Star”Star helps Campbell with routine everyday chores, such as the laundry, brings him his phone, picks up dropped items so that he won’t have to bend over and helps him get up and down. Campbell wanted a service dog in part to help him with his social skills, to deal with stress, and for companionship since he lives alone.“She sleeps with me, so now I have better dreams,” Campbell says. “If I move about in my sleep, she will snuggle up to me and put her head on my chest.”

Charles Trask & “Summit”

Charles Trask & “Summit”

Charles Trask, a U.S. Navy veteran who volunteered to serve in-country in Vietnam in 1968, left the service physically unharmed and went on to become a Salvation Army minister. Thirty-seven years later, he’s retired, diagnosed with delayed-onset PTS and 100 percent disabled. Charles had become a recluse, unable to deal with anyone or anything, including his wife Toni, until receiving Summit in May 2011.“Summit has given me a reason for being,” Trask says. When Trask suffers from a flashback, Summit senses it and nuzzles him to redirect his attention to her, and when he has a nightmare, she licks his face to wake him up. Trask uses a cane to walk, so Summit gets the phone for him, picks up dropped items, carries notes to Toni, and performs many other tasks to make his life easier.

Jason North & “Parole”Army Staff Sergeant Jason North of Killeen, TX, suffers from epileptic seizures brought on by a traumatic brain injury he received on October 22, 2008, during his second tour in Iraq. When the Humvee he was riding in fell into a pit trap after being lured to it by several Iraqis on horseback, Jason was slammed into both a 50-caliber machine gun in front of him and a 50-caliber ammo can behind him leaving him with a fractured face and broken vertebra and his first seizure.

Jason North & “Parole”He must now take seizure medication daily and is 100% disabled.  Jason depended upon his wife and even his young daughter at times to help him, so when he found Patriot PAWS on the internet, he decided to apply.In March, 2012, Jason received Parole, a male yellow Lab.  Now when Jason has a seizure, Parole alerts Jason’s wife and keeps Jason calm, something Jason no longer has to burden his daughter with.  Parole also helps out with many everyday chores and makes Jason’s life easier.  According to Jason, “Parole has done so much for us,” and when asked to sum up Parole in one word, Jason responded, “Incredible!”

Connie Rendon and “Blaze”

Connie, an Army Reservist, suffered major injuries in Iraq in 2004, when her Humvee drove over an IED. She had one hand severed and the other broken, shrapnel lodged in her shoulder, and sever facial wounds.She’s had a long and agonizing road to recovery, having over 40 surgeries.Connie now has nerve damage in her legs, sleep disorder, PTSD, TBI, back pain and severe headaches.

Connie Rendon and “Blaze”

Before Connie received Blaze, she never left the house alone except to go to work.Her right hand is now immobile, and she remains weak, so opening doors is difficult. In addition, the severity of her PTSD makes it hard to be around other people.In addition to simple tasks like opening doors, Blaze has helped Connie recover. They walk together, helping Connie regain strength, as well as the courage to face people.

Why Your Support Matters

Service dogs are the only means to a seemingly normal life for so many veterans.Sadly, there is a long waiting list for these loyal companions, and the VA does not offer a program to provide veterans with service dogs.Patriot PAWS depends upon organizations like DVNF to accomplish their mission of placing disabled veterans with a service dog to make their lives better.

They Gave So Much For Our Freedoms...

Now, it is time for us to give back, and help them make the most of life.With your gift of $25, $50, $100, or even $500, you can empower a veteran, and help to give them a chance to feel whole again! Your support will also give DVNF a chance to continue to provide future opportunities for great organizations like Patriot PAWS.

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Now, We Can Give Back to Them

Visit this page, and give these heroes the support they need!

You Can’t Put A Price On A Best Friend…