The U.S. Department for Veterans Services reported that 1 in 10 veterans will experience post-traumatic stress disorder in their life. However, many veterans who are coping with PTSD find comfort in the company of a service dog. These animals are specifically trained to help their owners with their personal troubles. The Harahan Center in southeast Louisiana recently launched a program in which former servicemembers can train their own therapy dogs.
On Sept. 25, the center held the ribbon cutting ceremony for the new space where the training would occur. The program, led by two former servicemembers, is called "Companions for Life," and it gets other veterans involved with the training of their service dogs from an early stage. This creates a deeper bond between the animal and the veteran.
All of the animals involved in the program are rescues from the Jefferson Parish Animal Shelter, which makes the connect between owner and pet even stronger. Both are looking for a second chance.
The training classes will begin in October and will be held twice a week for 8 weeks. Each class has room for six veterans.