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'dog ~ Call These Dogs ~ Sergeant ~ ~ dogs'

By: ONLY for PET LOVERS

"..... They recently presented the two dogs, Budge and Boe, to the Army‘s 85th Medical ..........dog, dogs, dog breeds, dog training, dog behavior, the dogs....."

"..... They recently presented the two dogs, Budge and Boe, to the Army‘s 85th Medical Detachment..........dog, dogs, dog breeds, dog training, dog behavior, the dogs....."
It‘s the holiday season, and Santa is busy packing up presents to send to troops serving overseas in Iraq. But it‘s two black Labrador retrievers that may be the best vulgarity in his big bag.

Well, if truth be told, the dogs aren‘t exactly being sent by Santa, and they won‘t be going to Iraq in a bag. America‘s VetDogs, a subsidiary of the Guide Dog Foundation for the Blind, offers guide and service dogs to veterans of all eras. They recently presented the two dogs, Budge and Boe, to the Army‘s 85th Medical Detachment. The two dogs will work with a multidisciplinary team of Army professionals to help address mental fitness issues amidst the troops. The two dogs are to board a military charter plane to Kuwait before Dec. 21.

'Dogs have been the unsung heroes of our war efforts,' said Maj. Stacie Caswell. 'Bringing therapy dogs into Iraq will take dogs to the next level on the battlefield. The therapy dogs will be another manner that our Combat Stress teams can use to break down mental robustness stigma; to assist soldiers so that when they go home, Iraq is not on their backs.'

Anecdotal premises has suggested for in years that pets forage positive vigor benefits for people under stress. Scientific studies have recently been conducted to determine the benefits of using pets as a form of therapy.

While service dogs are trained to help people up stairs, alert them to certain noises or to pick up and retrieve certain items, therapy dogs have an altogether irregular mission. They are trained to venue on personal emotions and to comfort people. They are usually sensitive and energetic.

Boe and Budge, both three years old, will be sent to work with combat stress units in Tikrit and Mosul. The dogs will be part of a medical team that will help palliate troops trying to overcome stress, sleep disorders and emotional trauma.

William A. Krol, communications manager with the Guide Dog Foundation for the Blind, said the two dogs were recently sent to Fort Hood, Texas, where the 85th Medical Detachment is based. They will be medically cleared before being sent to Iraq just in time for Christmas.

'The dogs will serve as icebreakers as a way to get soldiers in the field to fly open up if something is troubling them such as homefront issues, sleep problems or day-to-day operational stress,' Krol explained.

Training is Key

Each dog has undergone a fair deal of training to ensure that they will be able to make declaratory contributions in Iraq. Each dog has been assigned the rank of Sergeant First Class. Krol noted that the dogs are not of the blood and were by puppy sponsors, whose donation goes to offset the cost of raising a dog.

Staff Sgt. Mike Calaway, who will handle Boe, has witnessed some of the training, and is encouraged by what he has seen. '(The dogs) will be a ample morale booster as members of the team,' he said.

It must be noted, however, that this is the first time that the Army has ever sent skilled therapy dogs into a wartime environment. VetDogs staff members and Army personnel are breaking new ground and do not know exactly what to expect.

'This is a blank page, and we‘re shorthand the page as we go,' said Staff Sgt. Jack Greene, who will handle Budge. He added, 'We‘re optimistic.'

For the foregone eight months, each dog has undergone comprehensive training. Budge and Boe point of convergence on people, no matter what the distractions. But that sort of concentration doesn‘t just come into existence by itself.

'To make ready them for some of the sights and sounds they might encounter in Iraq, they were taken to a firing range so they could lend an ear gunfire, and they were exposed to the sounds of a helicopter starting up at the airport,' Krol explained.

The Army is already developing metrics to measure the score of the dogs. VetDogs specifically chose Labrador retrievers they are known for their pleasant temperament and physical durability.

'The dogs know they have a mission and that when they are wearing their respective jackets, they are on duty,' Krol said. 'When the jacket is off, they will have time to strike up and de-stress.'

Looking Ahead

When Sergeants Budge and Bo are sent to Iraq, they will serve a tour of onus just as any other service member, Krol said. They will join their handlers in their professional daily activities and work with soldiers on their bases. Their interaction with soldiers may be in a group or in a one-on-one setting.

The VetDogs group is proud to have partnered with the Army on such a venture, as it will greatly benefit troops serving overseas, Krol said. 'We‘re confident they will be successful, and we would be honored to assist the Army again to help our service members,' he said.

Until spring, Sgt. Calaway, a certified occupational therapist assistant, will handle Boe in Tikrit. Sgt. Greene, also a certified occupational therapist assistant, will handle Budge in Mosul. Maj. Arthur Yeager, an occupational therapist based at Walter Reed Army Medical Center, is to take over next year.

"..... Calaway, a certified occupational therapist assistant, will handle Boe in Tikrit....."

".........."
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Article Source: http://www.unique-ezine-articles.com

Thomas Parmalee is a correspondent out of New Jersey for www.onlyforpetlovers.com' target='_blank'>Only For Pet Lovers. Check out our site to view the rest of our articles and register for our online community for pet lovers like yourself. To keep up to date on what's going on in the pet world, visit our site and check out the pet news section.