February 28, 2019

How Veterans Benefit from Service Dogs

Photo by Chris F under Pexels License

Many of us might already be aware that Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder or PTSD is a serious psychological problem commonly faced by our veterans. After taking part in combat missions and witnessing the brutalities of war, it’s no wonder that many of these men and women develop mental disorders.

However, it’s lamentable that despite the serious effects caused by depression, social anxiety, nightmares, paranoia, and flashbacks, reports say only less than 40% of our veterans seek professional help and treatment mostly due to the high cost of such treatment.

Fortunately for these troubled veterans, there’s a much more affordable way to ease their condition—one that involves the companionship of another. We’re not talking about a fellow human being here but a four-legged creature with a tail that wags uncontrollably when excited to see people. That’s right, a service dog!

So, how can veterans benefit from service dogs? How can these highly trained canines help our former troops recover from trauma and make life more worthwhile for them? Find out below!

How Service Dogs Make a Difference

Aside from the companionship and comfort that service dogs can provide, veterans can also derive other benefits for teaming up with these warm and lovable creatures. With their calm and friendly demeanor as well as their ability to respond well to pressure, trained service dogs have been known to improve the overall wellbeing of their handlers.

For instance, there have been numerous studies revealing that veterans with service dogs showed lower levels of anxiety, mental breakdowns, and depression. Additionally, by having these animals at their side, veterans tend to feel more secure and protected, enabling them to brush off feelings of paranoia. Seizures, extreme mood swings, and migraine attacks are also eased with the help of these trained dogs, thanks to their intuitive nature and alertness.

Service dogs aren’t just for the psychologically distressed veterans. In fact, they also play a huge role in assisting former soldiers who suffer from physical disabilities as a result of combat, including amputees, blind vets, and those with certain injuries.

Here are some of the everyday duties service dogs have been trained to provide:

• Interrupting nightmares or traumatic flashbacks by pawing, licking, or nudging their handlers
• Reducing feelings of panic and anxiety by placing their bodies on their handlers as grounding mechanism (deep pressure stimulation)
• Retrieving a bag with medication or a list of contact details when their handlers experience seizures, mental breakdowns, and other medical emergencies
• Making their handlers feel safe and secure by guarding them while out in public
• Reminding their handlers when to take their medication
• Picking up objects as well as opening and closing doors for handlers with ambulation or mobility problems
• Turning on lights when their handlers are experiencing nightmares

It’s really amazing how service dogs can do such tasks. Of course, it has to take years of practice and skilled dog trainers to make it possible.

Support Our Vets with a Car Donation

Photo by Negative Space under Pexel License

You, too, can make a difference in the lives of our struggling former military personnel. All you need to do is donate a vehicle you no longer need to Veteran Car Donations. We will auction off your donated vehicle and use the proceeds to support the programs of our nonprofit partners that cater to our veterans, particularly those who are saddled with service-connected disabilities, mental health issues, lack of jobs, and homelessness due to extreme poverty.

The funding they receive from us helps our charity partners in providing needy veterans with mortgage-free and specially adapted homes, free mental health care, employment opportunities, job training, transitioning assistance, tutoring support and education scholarships, financial assistance, and many other benefits. All these are meant to improve the quality of life of our veterans and enable them to regain their dignity.

In return for your charitable contribution, you’ll be entitled to enjoy huge tax incentives by way of the 100% tax-deductible receipt that we will send you by mail days after we sell your vehicle at auction.

For more information on our car donation program, feel free to visit our FAQs page. For inquiries, you can call our toll-free 24/7 hotline 877-594-5822 or send us a message online.

You can donate to Veteran Car Donations by either calling us or filling out our secure online donation form. We accept donations of nearly all types of vehicles wherever you are in the United States since we have car donation programs in all 50 states.

If Service Dogs Can Help Our Vets, So Can You!

Knowing how veterans benefit from service dogs gives you an idea of the special needs of our wounded and mentally troubled heroes. We owe these men and women a great deal for the invaluable service they’ve rendered—defending our freedoms and protecting our nation’s security when they were still in active service. Call us at 877-594-5822 and show your appreciation and gratitude for what they’ve done with your car donation.

Last Updated: March 8th, 2023