Remembrance Day

On this day we remember the millions of men and woman who gave their lives in behalf of their country. As a Service Dog organization, we also remember the thousands of Service Dogs who served in both the First and Second World Wars. Dogs were used in a variety of ways including roles as sentry dogs, scout dogs, messenger dogs and casualty dogs. Casualty Dogs were trained to find wounded and dying soldiers on battlefields and were equipped with medical supplies to aid those suffering. The most decorated and highly-ranked Service Dog in military history was Sergeant Stubby. Stubby participated in seventeen battles on the Western Front during the First World War. He saved his regiment from surprise mustard gas attacks, found and comforted the wounded and dying, and even caught a German spy.

To this day, Service Dogs continue to serve veterans who suffer from physical and mental illness, including Certified Service Dogs for Veterans with Post Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD). Service Dogs become a veteran’s constant companion, providing important reality affirmation to alleviate flashbacks, nightmares, and grey-outs. Dogs also relieve hyper-vigilance as the veteran learns to rely on the Dog to detect danger, which improves mental health and sleep patterns. Dogs reawaken emotion and feelings of love and loyalty, thus assuaging loneliness, detachment and depression. As one client related, “My National Service Dog has helped me reconnect with the world.” To learn more about this distinguished program visit our Certified Service Dogs for PTSD program page.