Heroes
Let Them Have Freedom Dogs !
Freedom Dogs ,
the San Diegobased non-profit organization dedicated to training service dogs for wounded military heroes , is expanding its reach . The organization has been providing service dogs and their trainers to U . S . Marines based at Camp Pendleton since 2009 . As word spreads of the effectiveness of these dogs in providing wounded warriors with the physical and emotional support needed to transition back into civilian life , demand is pouring in from all branches of the military . “ These requests have been coming in for a long time ,” Board Member Lori Walton shared with GB Magazine . Now , Freedom Dogs is stepping up to meet that demand !
Freedom Dogs was founded by former critical care nurse Beth Russell after she witnessed firsthand the effects of Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder ( PTSD ) suffered by U . S . military heroes , and realized that , along with the dogs , she could help . For veterans suffering from this terrifying and debilitating psychological disorder - which includes a staggering 83 % of military who have served post 9 / 11 - a loud noise or a sudden movement can be traumatizing , sending them into a trigger response and making even something as simple as grocery shopping , or leaving the house , seem impossible . Mostly Labrador
Our Heroes
Retrievers , chosen for their mellow temperaments and loving nature , the dogs undergo two years of training where , among other things , they learn to recognize these trigger responses and how to guide their person back into
82 GBSAN . COM | AUGUST 2022