Thames Center Service Dogs and Veteran Affairs Canada
Author: Derrick Zimmerman, CD
Published: 2010-01-29 : (Rev. 2010-10-18)
Synopsis and Key Points:
Veteran Affairs Canada is unwilling to consider funding for the dog and its training.
Main Digest
Elizabeth Baker, owner of Thames Center Service Dogs is attempting to make Veterans transition easier. Her goal is to provide them all with Psychiatric Service dogs.When Veterans return home from duty in Special Duty Areas or War Zones, many are diagnosed with the invisible wounds referred to as Operational Stress Injuries or Post Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD). This is a difficult diagnosis for the Veteran to live with and the general public to understand. It is time to treat PTSD with the respect and understanding it deserves.
Elizabeth Baker, owner of Thames Center Service Dogs is attempting to make Veterans transition easier. Her goal is to provide them all with Psychiatric Service dogs. She works closely with Parkwood Hospital's OSI clinic in a pilot project involving her dogs.
Her goal is hampered by two major factors. Veteran Affairs Canada is unwilling to consider funding for the dog and it's training. That leaves the Veteran to try to secure funding through service groups. So far, the Provincial Poppy fund has come through for two dogs, however, let's be realistic; they certainly cannot be expected to continue to be the sole source of funding. $6000.00 is a tidy sum for a Veteran on a limited budget could afford. Veteran Affairs need to be educated as to the value of the animal companion.
These dogs are trained to handle complicated tasks and contribute much to their handlers. The can assist with night terrors, depression and panic attacks. They offer the handler a sense of security and comfort when needed most. They assist in the identification of a disability without disclosure and can intervene when an uninformed individual attempts to assist the handler. Dogs will also take into consideration, safety of the family and will react accordingly in case of a fire or accident.
These dogs have the legal rights of any service dog and the expectation is that the community accepts them freely.
Should you feel the funding issue is totally incorrect and unfair (remember, the dog is prescribed by a doctor) write to: Veteran Affairs PO Box 7700, Charlottetown PE C1A 8M9, or drop into your district office and drop off a letter of support. Veterans need support and it can only come from you.
Related Documents
- 1 - In Service : U.S. Memorial Day 2020 : Tsara Shelton (2020/05/25)
- 2 - During Pandemic, Disabled Activists Fight a Two-Front War for Their Lives : Op-ed by Abe Munder (2020/05/24)
- 3 - What Brexit May Tell Us About Hate Crime Committed Towards Disability : Paul Dodenhoff (2016/07/25)
- 4 - Are UK Welfare Reforms a Form of Hate or Hate Crime Conducted Towards Disability? : Paul Dodenhoff (2020/02/18)
- 5 - Incarceration of Disabled Persons in the United Kingdom : Disabled World (2009/06/27)
- 6 - Prisons or Education? Where Should Tax Dollars Be Spent : Cunha & Holcomb, P.C. (2012/09/23)
- 7 - That Person in a Wheelchair Just Stood Up - It's a Miracle! : Thomas C. Weiss (2013/02/26)
Important:
• Disabled World uses cookies to help provide and enhance our services to you and tailor some content and advertising. By continuing you agree to the Disabled World Cookie Policy, Privacy Policy and Terms of Service.
• Disabled World is strictly a news and information website provided for general informational purpose only and does not constitute medical advice. Materials presented are in no way meant to be a substitute for professional medical care by a qualified practitioner, nor should they be construed as such. Any 3rd party offering or advertising on disabled-world.com does not constitute endorsement by Disabled World.
• Please report outdated or inaccurate information to us.