Human suffering inevitably follows armed combat. Anguish occurs whether or not the war was just, righteous or necessary to thwart an evil aggressor. Shattered buildings and scorched lands give testimony to war's destructive power, however, the soldiers' fractured bodies and battered souls reveal the true horror of war.
We at Mobility Service Dogs believe our nation has a fundamental responsibility to care for wounded veterans. This responsibility transcends political affiliation and personal views regarding when and where to deploy military personnel. An implicit covenant demands that a nation and its citizens care for those individuals who, during their service protecting and defending our rights and freedoms, are injured. This pledge does not, and should not, ask us to provide only inadequate financial handouts. The soldier's enormous sacrifice requires us to help this person reach his highest possible level of functioning. We need to help these individuals (to the degree possible based on disability) get and keep a job, attend school, move about in their community, socialize with less anxiety and depression and develop a stronger state of independence.
Clearly, the federal government has the primary responsibility to care for injured soldiers. However, the governmental response has not met all the significant and varied needs of these veterans. Private citizens, corporations and nonprofit organizations attempt to fill this substantial therapeutic void.
Treatment plans for the disabled are multidisciplinary and include physicians, physical therapists, mental health professionals, nurses, community agencies and personnel aiding employment, financial and educational needs. The most important support network is provided by family and loved ones. Nothing lessens the suffering as much as the tender hand of a loving wife or smiling face of a happy child.
Unfortunately, these family supports are not always available. Many veterans live alone or with others who are unable to provide anything but transient assistance. Even with good medical and community support, these veterans spend a disproportionate amount of time alone. This is particularly true for those with mobility disabilities that limit or preclude public access.
On special days, Americans celebrate and honor their wounded soldiers with 4th of July parades, moments of recognition at major sporting events and benefit concerts. But at some point the parade ends, the cheering stops and the music quiets. Who helps the veteran with substantial mobility problems cross the street, climb the apartment stairs, get in and out of the bathtub, retrieve the telephone, carry a package left outside, turn on the light switch across the room or get to work by negotiating trains, buses, and crowded streets? Who will be on-call 24/7 - and do so without a nanosecond of complaint? Who becomes happier and more content by helping the veteran?
Mobility Service Dogs, a private nonprofit 501(c)(3) organization, was established to help veterans with mobility disabilities by the use of specifically trained service dogs. Service dogs make a unique contribution to the overall care of wounded veterans. Above and beyond the comfort and emotional support many pets and therapy dogs provide, service dogs are formally trained to lessen their partner's particular disability. These special dogs learn task-specific skills, obedience to commands, and the ability to negotiate the challenges of public access. Veterans partnered with our service dogs attain a better quality of life through increased competence, independence, self-esteem and hope.
All our dogs are given to the disabled without cost.
