German Shepherd Serves Warriors in Transition

[AbbyK9]

I wasn't sure whether I should put this in here or in the military dogs section, since it kinda fits into both. I saw this article in the AMEDD Mercury, the newspaper of military medicine, when I got my print copy yesterday. Fortunately, it's on their website as well, so I can share it without trying to fit it on the scanner. (Their site only shows select stories from the paper. The one this is from has another therapy dog article in it as well, I'll have to scan that one.)



http://www.armymedicine.army.mil/new...04/mamcdog.cfm

Quote:Fritz lowers blood pressure. He reduces anxiety. He encourages relaxation. He?s an altogether different type of medicine.

As a certified pet therapy dog, the 6-year-old German shepherd visits the warrior transition battalion of Madigan Army Medical Center, Fort Lewis, Wash. on a regular basis with his handler Amanda Hackbarth.

“Fritz gives them a chance to vent out their problems,” said Hackbarth, a Red Cross volunteer. The canine started visiting warriors last spring, and since then has met with everyone from the secretary of the Army to Madigan inpatients to warriors. He soothes Soldiers who need a respite from stress, dealing with crowds, or just a few moments to enjoy playing with a dog. For CPL Tyler Nash, a medic who spent nine months working in a Baghdad emergency room, visiting with Fritz calms him.

“Dogs always sense what type of mood you’re in, and always cheer me up,” said Nash.

(read the full article at the link)

[Kayos and Havoc]

That is so neat! Thanks for posting that!

[littledmc17]

Awesome

[xwildman138x]

Great story!

[OllieGSD]

I know Amanda and Fritz. The are very active in the GSd world out here in Seattle. Fritz also has a beautiful sister named Gretta, but unfortunately they have some health issues so they can not be bred. Very nice family....