Heroes
Freedom Dogs HELPING WOUNDED WARRIORS
Suicide rates in
the United States have increased in the past 20 years and the rate is even higher among members of the military and veterans of post-9 / 11 wars . According to a 2021 study by Brown University , an estimated 30,177 active-duty personnel and veterans of the post 9 / 11 wars have died by suicide , significantly more than the 7,057 service members killed during post-9 / 11 combat . “ Multiple factors cause the high suicide rates , some inherent to fighting in a war and others unique to America ’ s “ war on terror ” framework ,” Thomas Howard Suitt , III reported . “ The high suicide rates are due to risks common to fighting any war : high exposure to trauma , stress , military culture and training , continued access to guns , and the difficulty of reintegrating into civilian life .”
And that is where Freedom Dogs comes in . A nonprofit organization designed to serve wounded military members with post-traumatic stress disorder , traumatic brain injury , and / or other physical impairments , Freedom Dogs helps these warriors successfully transition back to civilian life or , in some cases , return to active duty through the assistance of specialty service dogs , by providing physical and emotional support .
Working closely with active military and veterans in Southern California , Freedom Dogs provides customtrained dogs through two free programs . The Partner Program pairs a dog and trainer team with a warrior to complement rehabilitation and assist in recovery . The Partner for Life Program matches a dog with a warrior for life if needed .
60 GBSAN . COM | DECEMBER 2022