Taming the beast of trauma, veterans forge partnerships

[samanthajane13]

Healing and readjustment fostered on two levels by SPCA

Twenty local veterans are helping traumatized dogs and cats through an unusual program at the SPCA Serving Erie County.

But it turns out that the animals might be helping the veterans as much as the veterans are helping the animals.

Here's the idea: Traumatized animals -- mostly dogs -- that have been abused or neglected, and often rescued from puppy mills, are paired with military veterans to bring the animals out of their shells.

http://www.buffalonews.com/city/article633449.ece

[samanthajane13]

Perfect match
Abused pets, traumatized vets guide each other back to health

Pet therapy programs are not new. There are tales through the centuries of animals being used to comfort the mentally ill. Florence Nightingale recommended a small pet animal for the sick, or a pet bird in a cage as a pleasure for invalids. The therapy program under way at the SPCA Serving Erie County offers a bonus: Both humans and animals enter in need, and come out better for their association.

The News’ Anne Neville recently treated readers to the story of traumatized animals, dogs mostly, coaxed out of their shells by returning war veterans shaking their own demons. The dogs, which might have been abused or neglected or rescued from puppy mills, are paired with veterans dealing with post-traumatic stress disorder or brain injuries or readjustment issues.

After a course about how to interpret the dogs’ behaviors and body language, the vets sign up for a weekly two-hour shift to comfort the dogs and make them suitable for adoption. Seventy-one dogs have been adopted through the Paws &Patriots program since the vets first started working with the animals June 10.

http://www.buffalonews.com/editorial...icle636740.ece