February 9, 2014 – Before Cpl. Stanley can become a service dog to a disabled veteran, he has to spend two years being exposed to different people in various situations.
Good thing he spends a lot of time at Dixon–Smith Middle School, where he’s surrounded by more than 900 students and adults on a daily basis.
“The kids all love him, and the adults love him even more,” said Joanne McDonald, an administrative assistant in the office.
Stanley—as he’s known—is a black Labrador retriever with eyes as dark as coal and fur as sleek as a panther. He’s an English Lab, which means his head and body are fuller than his American cousins. He was bred for the sole purpose of being the best friend—and perhaps the arms or legs—of a service member in need…
Read the full article on Fredericksburg.com.
JM Students Raise Funds to Train Service Dogs for Veterans
April 25, 2014 – Rochester, Minnesota – Paul and Donnie are only puppies, but already their mission in life has been set.
During the next two years, the yellow Labrador retrievers will undergo training at the Warrior Canine Connection program in Bethesda, Md., The two pups are destined to become service dogs, thanks to a $50,000 donation from John Marshall High School students. By the time these dogs graduate with their service vests, the group of JM students who spearheaded the fundraising as sophomores will be on the verge of graduation… Read the full article on PostBulletin.com.
One Dog’s Powerful Healing Effects on Two Wounded Veterans — ABC News / Good Morning America
March 13, 2014 – Justin Lansford and his longtime girlfriend, Carol Balmes, love doting on their golden retriever, Gabe. But there is much more to this four-legged friend than meets the eye.
“The less I use my wheelchair, the more I need his help in smaller tasks and the more he is there,” Lansford, a U.S. Army veteran, told ABC News’ Lara Spencer. “It has been very comforting to know that.”
Lansford, of Silver Spring, Md., was severely injured during deployment when he was struck by an improvised explosive device…
Read the full article and watch the Good Morning America clip at ABCNews.com.
Disabled Vet’s Best Friend
February 9, 2014 – Before Cpl. Stanley can become a service dog to a disabled veteran, he has to spend two years being exposed to different people in various situations.
Good thing he spends a lot of time at Dixon–Smith Middle School, where he’s surrounded by more than 900 students and adults on a daily basis.
“The kids all love him, and the adults love him even more,” said Joanne McDonald, an administrative assistant in the office.
Stanley—as he’s known—is a black Labrador retriever with eyes as dark as coal and fur as sleek as a panther. He’s an English Lab, which means his head and body are fuller than his American cousins. He was bred for the sole purpose of being the best friend—and perhaps the arms or legs—of a service member in need…
Read the full article on Fredericksburg.com.
The Unlikely PTSD Therapy: Puppies
August 8, 2013 – Veterans suffering from post-traumatic stress and traumatic brain injury are training puppies to become service dogs for fellow wounded warriors. The work can actually alleviate their own symptoms The Fold’s Zoeann Murphy spent some time with the pups…
Watch the video at WashingtonPost.com.