Today’s good news comes from the Associated Press
‘I got my life back.’ Veterans with PTSD making progress thanks to service dog program
JIM SALTER AP News
KANSAS CITY, Kan. (AP) — After working at a crowded and dangerous internment camp in Iraq, Air Force Staff Sgt. Heather O’Brien was brought home with her anxiety and post-traumatic stress disorder.
Airforce s/sgt Heather O’Brian and Albus – Photo by Nick Ingram
A bouncy labradoodle and a Kansas City-area program helped her get back on her feet.
Dogs 4 Valor, operated through the Olathe, Kansas-based organization The Battle Within, helps retired veterans and first responders work with their service dogs to manage depression, anxiety, and other challenges.
“A lot of times, the veteran with severe PTSD is homebound,” said Sandra Sindeldecker, program manager for Dogs 4 Valor. “They’re isolated. They’re very nervous. They won’t make eye contact. Some won’t leave the house at all.
The veterans and dogs graduate in six to nine months, but group gatherings continue.
There is growing evidence of the value of service dogs for veterans with PTSD. A small study published in JAMA Network Open in June looked at a program operated by K9s For Warriors. Service dogs in the program are taught to pick up a veteran’s physical signs of distress and can interrupt panic attacks and nightmares with a loving nudge.
Researchers compared 81 veterans who received service dogs with 75 veterans on the waiting list for a trained dog. After three months, PTSD symptoms improved in both groups, but the veterans with dogs saw a bigger improvement on average.
O’Brien, 40, recalled that the camp where she worked in Iraq sometimes had over 20,000 detainees. Violence and rioting were common, and it left her with severe anxiety.
“When I got out of the military, I just assumed that you’re supposed to be on edge all the time as a veteran,” O’Brien said.
O’Brien’s mother spotted the frisky lab-poodle mix on Facebook and convinced her daughter to adopt the dog she named Albus. Months later, O’Brien learned about Dogs 4 Valor, and the pair joined the program in October 2023.
O’Brien says she can now go out in public again — she even went on vacation to Branson, Missouri, “things that I never would have thought I would do really, probably ever again.”
Mark Atkinson, 38, served in Afghanistan as a corporal in the Marine Corps. He returned home with PTSD and major depressive disorder, causing sleeplessness and anxiety. He adopted Lexi, now 5, in 2020.
Lexi, a muscular cane corso breed, needed Atkinson as much as he needed her. Her previous owner had kept Lexi in chains before surrendering her. Since joining Dogs 4 Valor, the two can get out together and enjoy life.
“I don’t really like leaving the house because I’m safe there, you know?” Atkinson said. “And having Lexi has just made me get out to be more social.”
Having a group of fellow veterans facing the same challenges has also helped, Atkinson said.
“We come from the same backgrounds, different branches,” Atkinson said. “Same issues. You know, PTSD or traumatic brain injuries. And they’re all very welcoming, as well. There’s no judgment.”
O’Brien compared living with Albus to a relationship with a sometimes pushy best friend who often wants to go out.
“The best friend constantly wants to make you do things that make you nervous,” O’Brien laughed, acknowledging that it is ultimately up to her.
“I have to decide to walk out and just deal with life,” O’Brien said. “And so that has been hard. And it still is hard from time to time, but it’s it’s getting manageable.”
Some veterans said their family relationships have improved since they started the program.
“I’m able to talk, not fly off the handle and just get along with people and not be as stressed, not have as much anxiety,” Atkinson said. “Or even if I do, she (Lexi) is right there with me.”
Timothy Siebenmorgen, 61, said his relationships also are better with help from his 1-year-old American bulldog, Rosie, and Dogs 4 Valor, which he joined in July. He served in both the Marines and the Army, deploying 18 times.
Tim Siebenmorgan (left) and Rosie. Mark Atkinson and Lexi – Photo by Mark Ingram
“You’re in the military, kind of taught not to show weakness,” Siebenmorgen said. “So you figure you can tackle everything yourself, and you honestly believe that. And then you realize you can’t do it on your own.”
Veterans said the dogs and the program have given them new hope and a renewed ability to move forward.
“I got my life back,” O’Brien said.
The good news in this article is that these heroes are getting the help they need. Today’s JohnKu talks about the need for help. I hope you have a super weekend.
Reach out by John W. Howell © 2024
When all seems too dark,
Do not try to go alone . . .
Reach out to find help.
Fiction Favorites 
Wonderful post, John. My doctor served in the Navy for 30 years, and the phlebotomist served in the Army at Desert Storm. Each of them has a service dog. These canine friends have given them a new life. ❤️🤍💙
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That is wonderful to hear, Gwen. Service dogs are miracles for sure. Thanks for sharing.
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They do a wonderful service for our vets. Once again, animals come to our aid.
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Animals can make a difference. Thanks, GP.
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Wonderful success stories. Thanks, John.
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I agree. Thanks to you.
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Always love hearing about programs where dogs help those with ptsd.
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I do too. Thanks, Charles.
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It’s wonderful that help for veterans is given.
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I agree, Tim. So needed too.
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I read about this somewhere earlier this week. What a wonderful story. Have a great weekend, John!
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Thanks, Teri. 😊
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‘Reach out to find help’…and this kind of help is a wonderful thing. This is great, John.
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Thank you, Lois. 😊
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Great stories John. Dogs are the best companions. I especially liked reading the one where both dog and new owner were rescued. We were service humans to our last dog and it was a wonderful relationship.
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We have always only had rescues and you are right. To see them enjoy life is the reward.
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I can’t imagine what these servicemen have gone through. It’s so good that there are programs like this to help them. These dogs sound wonderful.
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I agree, Esther. They deserve to get the best support possible.
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Another heart-warming story, John. Dogs are amazing, unconditional love and no judgement!
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So true, Noelle. 😁
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What a great post. Sharing…
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I agree. Thanks for the share.
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I love these stories that you share, John. They’re so important. And of course dogs would improve someone’s life. It’s practically a given. Thanks for the good news and starting my day with a smile. 🙂
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Always happy to help the day. Thanks for letting me know you enjoyed the story, Diana
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A big-hearted story for after Veteran’s Day — or for any week. I love that dogs are helping these folks. And your JohnKu hits the message with powerful lines.
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Thank you, Dave. A lovely comment. 😊
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I am in tears from the joy of this for the Vets and the dogs! How wonderful!!
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I agree, Annette. Thank you.
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Beautiful and important Haiku, John.
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Aw. So nice to hear. 😁
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Such a good program for dogs and vets! Thanks for telling us about it, John — and well done on your JohnKu, too.
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Thank you, Debbie. I think this is a terrific program.
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Such a good program for dogs and vets! Thanks for telling us about it, John — and well done on your JohnKu, too.
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This is good news!
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It is.
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This seems like a wonderful program. It is amazing what dogs can do.
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It is amazing, Thomas. Thanks.
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I love service dogs! It’s wonderful how they can give a traumatic person his life back.
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I love that too, Liz. 😁
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😊
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😊
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This is such a great program! I’m glad the dogs are helping them to get their lives back.
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I am too, Deborah. Such a great cause.
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What wonderful stories, Dogs are healers in so many ways. And they do not judge… They are loyal and loving. The perfect companion to help these wonderful Veterans.. Loved the share John.. Thank you x 💖
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That you for your added words, Sue. All that you say is true. 😊
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Awwww. Thanks for sharing!
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My pleasure, Chel.
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This might have brought tears to my eyes. Okay, it did.
What a lovely story Boss
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I’m so glad you liked it.
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Loved it
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It doesn’t get much better than this. They are doing great work. Thank you for sharing.
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I love these kinds of stories, Michele. Thanks. 😊
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Clearly an investment worth making.
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I think so as well, Pete.
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This sounds like a great program. So happy that the rescue dogs give the Veterans love and a reason to get out and walk.
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They make a big difference. Thanks, Rebecca.
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Love, love, love this story, John. We are near to Dogs, Inc., a facility that trains dogs for people with sight issues and PTSD. Amazing work, incredible results.
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It is amazing work, Lori. Thank you for the lovely comment. 😊
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I am glad to see that these veterans with PTSD, anxiety and depression are able to get support. It’s wonderful how healing a support dog can be. Thank you for sharing this good news, John!
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It is good to see the vets get help.
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Yes
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Stories like this is why WP needs a “love” button. Like just isn’t adequate. As you can imagine, this animal/human connection thing is something extremely important to me personally, especially after Wilson passed his pet therapy test on Monday. Now he can officially bring joy to staff and patients and allow them some respite in a crazy world. Thank you so much for sharing this wonderful story. We hope Dogs4Valor continues their mission to help veterans and pets.
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Congratulations to Wilson. I’ll bet he will make a great therapy pal. 😊
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Thanks, John. He really lit some folks up. It helps when you’re the Clark Gable of the canine world (big nose and all) 😉
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I can just imagine.
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This is an awesome project, John. Thank you for highlighting it. Yes, oftentimes they don’t reach out when help is needed most, hopefully this can be a way out of the darkness 🙏
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I agree, Laura. This program can make a difference.
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This is wonderful! Dogs are miracle workers.
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They are. They do the job with no thought for themselves.
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Humans, take notice.
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Too dumb
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Haha!
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😊
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I absolutely believe animal pets can destress us. Love – having and giving of love and affection makes life seem worthwhile.
I like your reaching out JohnKu. Reach out and touch a pet today! …. or pet a touch… another way.
🐕X 🦮X 🐩X 🐕🦺X
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Pet a touch. I like that. 😊X 😁X 😂X 🤣X
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Yay! Makes sense!
😊X 😁X 😂X 🤣X
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😊X 😁X 😂X 🤣X🥬
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🥬 😊X 😁X 😂X 🤣X🥬
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🏆X we win
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That’s so great. Dogs are so loving and helpful.
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They really are.
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Great idea, dear John! Indeed, animals on duty are great help!👍👍👍
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Yes to have a dog who loves you unconditionally is a healing thing.
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