Stiggy’s Dogs Helps Veterans and Dogs Heal Together

Stiggy’s Dogs is a great charity dedicated to helping get veterans – and dogs – back on their feet. Stiggy’s rescues and trains shelter dogs to be psychiatric service dogs for military veterans living with Post Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) or a Traumatic Brain Injury (TBI). The service is at no cost to the veterans.

The veteran-dog match making charity scored some nice publicity on Channel 4 recently (you can check out the report online at: http://www.clickondetroit.com/news/live-in-the-d/Live-in-the-D-Stiggy-s-Dogs/26726778).

While the charity has experienced growth in recent years, their mission has always been the same: to reintegrate veterans back into society. Veterans are matched with the dogs, and they train together for six months to one year, with each dog individually trained to meet its veteran’s unique needs.

With recent studies showing that one in eight soldiers returning home from Iraq and Afghanistan will experience some form of PTSD symptoms, the work of Stiggy’s Dogs is becoming even more important and pressing.

Stiggy’s Dogs was founded by Jennifer Petre in memory of her nephew, Benjamin (“Doc Stiggy”) Castiglione. Doc Stiggy dedicated his life to preserving and improving the physical and emotional health of those serving in his unit, and all who serve. He gave his life working as a Hospital Corpsman Third Class (HM3) in Southern Afghanistan, taking care of “his Marines” until September of 2009.

Since its founding, the charity has rescued countless dogs in addition to helping veterans. There are an estimated five million dogs sitting in shelters across America, many of whom will be euthanized. Many of these dogs could make an excellent service dog for a veteran living with PTSD or a TBI.

By uniting these dogs with those who have served our country, Stiggy’s Dogs is “Rescuing One to Rescue Another.”

Brigadier General Carol Ann Fausone (ret.) and the team at Legal Help For Veterans, PLLC has had the pleasure of working with Stiggy’s Dogs and helping them grow over the years. General Fausone currently serves on their board of directors. Please visit www.stiggysdogs.org to learn more about how you can help!

Like Stiggy’s Dogs on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/stiggysdogs

And Follow them on Twitter: https://twitter.com/StiggysDogs

Service Dog Approval

Brigadier General Carol Ann Fausone (Ret)

The VA may soon be required to open all of its facilities up to service dogs that accompany veterans.  But not all service dogs are created equal.

The bill in question, HR 1627, requires that VA facilities give access to service dogs, but only if those dogs have been trained and accredited.

The problem is that many veterans currently use service dogs that do not have the required training or accreditation.  Veterans that have been going to VA for years may no longer be allowed to enter the facilities if their dog does not meet the requirements. 

Under the current rules, only seeing-eye dogs are guaranteed access.  Access of other service dogs, such as those that accompany vets suffering from PTSD, is governed by local rules and inconsistently applied.

According to VA officials, the concern is that it is relatively easy to obtain a vest and bogus ID for a dog showing it is “registered.”  There have even been reports of supposedly trained service dogs trying to attack people in VA facilities.  These are the types of dogs the VA is trying to prevent from entering its facilities.

Christina Roof, a veterans’ advocate, said she believes a law allowing access to veterans’ facilities for all manner of service dogs is a step in the right direction.  These disabled veterans deserve the same access to VA care and facilities as do blind veterans using guide dogs.

As a board member at service dog trainer Stiggy’s Dogs, and having worked with dozens of veterans with service dogs, I know there are plenty of well-trained service dogs helping our veterans.  We should not create barriers for taking these therapeutic animals into VA facilities.

The bill was passed in the Senate and now moves to the House.

To learn more or to see the original article, please visit:

http://www.armytimes.com/news/2012/07/military-service-dogs-veterans-affairs-rules-071912w/