ArcaMax

"One hallmark of PTSD is avoidance (of going outdoors and socializing with others)," says Porter. "That's hard to do with a 60-pound dog who just wants to go out and play."

Guardian Angel Medical Services of Williston, Fla., was one of the three groups involved in the VA study (the other two were New Horizons Service Dogs of Orange City, Fla., and Freedom Service Dogs of Englewood, Colo.).

According to reports, the explanation for halting the VA study cited concerns about dogs biting children; dirty, cramped living conditions that caused animals to suffer illnesses such as worms and diarrhea; and faulty record-keeping.

That "explanation" leaves Carol Borden, founder and executive director of Guardian Angels, perplexed. The majority of dogs enrolled in the limited study, she says, were from her organization, and there were no biting incidents. Borden has helped pair hundreds of service dogs with veterans over the years and says she's never received a single complaint about a dog's temperament. As for veterinary care, it was paid for as a part of the study.

Borden says that in her organization's history, in every instance the veteran with PTSD has benefited by having a dog. Many go from 12 or more meds daily to half that, or even to no meds at all. "We've not experienced a single suicide attempt as far as we know," Borden says. "I have letters from wives thanking us because the (personality of their) husband has returned, and it all happens because of a dog who provides unconditional love."

Instead of the veterans depending on government subsidies, many PTSD vets with dogs find jobs.

"It (the VA's directive) doesn't make sense," Borden says. She intimated that since vets paired with dogs require fewer meds, pharmaceutical companies may have lobbied for the VA's new position. Another possibility is that the VA was told to cut its budget, period. And even if the decision will cost taxpayers more dollars, the department isn't paying.

"I understand the need for further published scientific evidence, but the overwhelming anecdotal personal stories of veterans who say they've gotten their lives back as a result of a service dog should matter," says Amy McCullough, national director of animal assisted therapy of the Washington, D.C., based American Humane Association. "With all the returning veterans with PTSD, we don't have the luxury to say 'let's think it over' when we could be saving lives."

(Next week: More with Ray Galmiche, a Vietnam War veteran diagnosed with PTSD, and how his service dog works daily. "I know my dog has my back," he says. "I never thought a dog could do this. My life has changed.")

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Steve Dale welcomes questions/comments from readers. Although he can't answer all of them individually, he'll answer those of general interest in his column Send e-mail to PETWORLD(at)STEVE DALE.TV. Include your name, city and state. Steve's website is www.stevedalepetworld.com; he also hosts the nationally syndicated "Steve Dale's Pet World" and "The Pet Minute." He's also a contributing editor to USA Weekend.

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