Unite solders and shelter dogs together for mutual healing. Veterans often struggle with mental health issues, and there are many shelter dogs in need of homes. It would be a great idea if there were a program that would help and assist veterans to adopt shelter dogs. This action would benefit the solder in terms of mental health and it would also benefit the dog.
-
Therapeutic Bonding: Interaction with dogs can produce oxytocin in humans, a hormone that promotes bonding, reduces stress, and fosters feelings of love and trust.
-
Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) Relief: Dogs can sense changes in human behavior and emotions. Their presence can provide a soothing effect on soldiers who suffer from PTSD, reducing the symptoms.
-
Purpose and Responsibility: Caring for a shelter dog gives soldiers a sense of purpose and responsibility, which can be therapeutic and help bring structure to their daily lives.
-
Social Support: Dogs often act as social bridges, leading to increased interactions between soldiers, which can combat feelings of loneliness and isolation.
-
Physical Activity: Regularly caring for and playing with dogs encourages physical activity, which can help with depression and anxiety.
-
Distraction from Traumatic Memories: The responsibilities and joys of caring for a dog can provide a healthy distraction from negative memories and intrusive thoughts.
-
Readjustment to Civilian Life: Soldiers returning from combat can sometimes struggle with reintegrating into civilian life. The routine and companionship of a dog can make this transition smoother.
-
Saving Lives: Adopting shelter dogs can mean saving them from being euthanized, giving soldiers the gratifying feeling of having made a difference.
-
Training and Discipline: Soldiers have acquired skills in discipline and training, which can be applied to dog training. This process can be therapeutic for the soldier and beneficial for the dog.
-
Loyalty and Companionship: Dogs are known for their unwavering loyalty. For soldiers who may feel out of place or misunderstood after returning from service, a loyal companion can be a tremendous comfort.
We will present the results of this petition to local and state politicians and organizations to show that enough people see the value in this issue. We will include the results of this petition to both county animal shelters and veterans groups to get them together and lay the framework for a program.
