Dear Friend,
As we head into our second annual celebration of heroes on both ends of the leash at the 2012 Hero Dog Awards gala in Los Angeles on Saturday, please join us on an important mission. American Humane Association, the nation’s leading advocate on behalf of animals and children, is calling on the United States Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) to reverse a policy that would end a program reimbursing veterans who suffer from post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) for their use of service dogs while in recovery.
The policy is set to go into effect on Oct. 5, 2012.
Our focus on animal-assisted therapy dates back to 1945 when we promoted therapy dogs as a means to help World War II veterans recover from the effects of war. We know from years of experience that the human-animal bond is a source of powerful healing, whether they are children suffering from cancer or military men and women who have suffered the stress of battle. Service dogs, in particular, are an amazing, positive resource for assisting our nation’s best and bravest though their physical pain and mental anguish.
We call on the VA and the United States Congress to stand up for our veterans and their families by continuing to reimburse veterans who suffer from PTSD for the cost of medically approved service dogs. In a letter sent to United States Senator Charles E. Schumer (D-NY), American Humane Association commended the senator for his leadership on the issue and his fight on behalf of veterans who enjoy the healing benefits of service dogs. How can others help us reverse this ruling?
You can help by signing our petition demanding that the VA reverse this ruling – and allowing our veterans who suffer from PTSD to be reimbursed for service dogs. Thank you for joining American Humane Association as we promote the healing power of service dogs for our nation’s war heroes. Help us to encourage heroes on both ends of the leash!
Please sign our petition today.
Warm regards,
Dr. Robin R. Ganzert
President and CEO
American Humane Association
Done. If the above link doesn’t work for you, try this one:
https://www.change.org/petitions/department-of-veterans-affairs-reverse-the-policy-help-our-veterans-heal-with-service-dogs
This policy is outrageous. I have done a lot of research on service and therapy dogs over the years, and the benefits they provide. I have seen video of a veteran suffering from PTSD who wouldn’t speak to anyone for years. Doctors, nurses, staff, family, etc. One day a therapy dog was brought in. The veteran wrapped the dog in a big hug and started crying. All they need to do is show congress that story. Our veterans deserve the best of everything, and should be refused nothing.
“Our veterans deserve the best of everything, and should be refused nothing.”
We agree completely, Lee.