Byron Warren presented the program on Veterans Assistance Dogs of Kerrville.
Suzie was a special canine guest, and she assists local veteran John.
Byron is a board member of VA Dogs, and this organization provides trained service dogs to disabled veterans. The veterans qualify if they are VA rated as 50% disabled, and the dogs are trained to help with their specific needs. The most common needs the dogs serve are PTSD, physical handicaps, diabetes, and anxiety. They also help veterans return to the workplace, and help family relationships.
Labradors are the most common breed used, although some medium size mixed breeds also qualify. They are usually rescue dogs, and go through an intensive training lasting up to three months. Part of that training is with the veteran, and is a big factor in the success of the relationship. Currently there are about seventy veterans on the waiting list, and the cost to train a dog is $20-25,000.
