Whisker Therapy

A family from Woodhaven, Michigan had a string of back luck recently. But, as they say, every cloud has a silver lining. The Stevensons were on their way to spend Christmas morning with their family. Unfortunately, they hit a slick spot on the interstate which resulted in a rollover accident. The slick spot sent their car flying as it flipped a few times before coming to a stop.

With The Good Comes The Bad

The silver lining is that nobody was hurt. Wade Stevenson, Ruth Stevenson, and toddler Hazel were left unharmed. 

“Just a couple scratches to be honest. Even the Christmas presents didn’t get scratched. I don’t understand,” Wade Stevenson told lex18.com.

There may have been no injuries but the fourth member of the family went missing. The family’s 1-year-old Golden Retriever, Red, darted into the woods immediately after the accident.

In addition to the Stevenson family, local animal control, the police department, and dozens of volunteers searched high and low for Red. Three live traps were set up and baited with food and clothing from Red’s family, hoping that the scent would lure him in. Several nearby businesses reported sightings so the family wasn’t losing hope. 

It Takes A Village

The Stevenson family was overwhelmed by the support they received from the community. Residents joined forces nearly instantaneously after the accident to bring Red home.

“We just want to thank (everyone) from the bottom of our hearts for everything you have done to help us. We still have not found red but we are doing everything we can to find/get him,” Ruth Stevenson wrote on Facebook.

The family started a GoFundMe which was able to raise enough money to pay for a search done by drones. Unfortunately, this search did not help them find Red.

“We reached a point in the funding to where we have covered the drone expenses from yesterday’s operation. While the operation did not find Red, the thermal visioning did show that he does not appear to be in the area,” Wade Stevenson posted to Facebook.

A Happy Ending To Close Out The Decade

Nearly one week after he went missing, Red was found safe and sound! He was reunited with his family just in time to celebrate the new year! The good news was announced on the “Bring Red Home” Facebook page. It’s unclear how exactly he was found.

It may not have been the ending the Stevensons expected for this decade, but it sure is a great one!

h/t: lex18.com
Featured Photo: @BringRedHome/Facebook

The post Community Finds Missing Golden Retriever After Rollover Accident appeared first on iHeartDogs.com.

River, like so many other 5-year-old Labs, loves to chase squirrels. For most dogs, this personality trait is a mere inconvenience; but for River, it resulted in her removal from a guide dog training program.

This gorgeous gal wasn’t cut out for work with the blind, but her calm, gentle nature made her the perfect choice for a new form of police service.

The “Custody Canine” pilot project at Maidstone Police Station in Kent, UK utilizes River’s unique skills to help soothe stressed detainees.

“We are often dealing with people in crisis and although their behavior has resulted in arrest, they could be suffering with depression, anxiety or mental illness,” says Sergeant Ian Sutton, coordinator of the program. “Young people may find themselves in custody too and in some cases they are scared and daunted by the experience, whilst others may have difficulty in communicating.”

“Being detained can exacerbate these issues and we are committed to ensure that police custody is a safe and supportive environment for both police, staff and detainees. We are always looking for new or innovative ways to achieve this,” Sutton adds.

After her removal from the guide dog program, River went on to receive her certification as a therapy dog. She worked in a special education school comforting and supporting the children.

The school was so impressed with River’s work, they went on to purchase their own therapy dog. River was out of a job, but ready for a new challenge.

Trainers at Kent Police’s dog unit assessed River’s temperament and found her to be a perfect fit for the unpredictable custody environment. She went to work at the beginning of December, and has been regularly supporting detainees at Maidstone Police Station ever since.

“River has joined the team to offer emotional support to people who are experiencing difficulties, she provides a therapeutic benefit to those in crisis and helps to counter some of the negative behavior we sometimes experience in custody,” Sergeant Sutton reports. “Since beginning work with us she has had a notable positive impact on those she has spent time with, and the atmosphere in custody improves when she is on shift. This allows staff and officers to use their time more effectively rather than diffusing situations.”

Those concerned about the potential dangers a “Custody Canine” may face can rest easy. A press release assures there are procedures in place to ensure River’s safety as she performs her duties.

“Her handler is always there watching over her, she has access to fresh water and food, and she is also taken out for regular breaks,” the release states.

What do you think of the “Custody Canine” pilot project at Maidstone Police Station? Would you like to see your local police initiate a similar program? Let us know in the comments!

Featured Image via Kent Police

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Children and dogs go together like peanut butter and jelly — especially when the child is on the Autism spectrum, and the dog is trained to keep him safe!

10-year-old Lewis Millar faces daily challenges stemming from Aspberger’s syndrome. After four years on a waiting list with Assistance Dogs Northern Ireland (ADNI), the boy’s heartfelt letter helped make his dream a reality.

A Black Lab named Jade joined the Miller family just in time for the holidays!

“It was the most emotional assessment I’ve ever done. It was a tearjerker,” ADNI’s Geraldine McGaughey told BBC News.

Lewis’ mother, Danielle Cooper, encouraged him to write a letter to help the assessors understand just how much an assistant dog would change his life for the better.

Lewis has trouble regulating his emotions and reading other peoples’ reactions, meaning he sometimes comes across “rough” to other children.

“He loves movement, swings, running, jumping, anything that is aggressive exercise. He would play football for hours,” Danielle says. She adds that at home, Lewis often has trouble sleeping. “He has very high anxiety. He hears noises at night that aren’t there.”

ADNI Autism dogs are trained to keep children safe outside the home as well as provide emotional support. When Lewis is out and about, he will wear a backpack with a tether connecting to Jade’s collar or harness.

Should he become frightened or overwhelmed, Jade will sit down, preventing Lewis from running away and getting lost.

At home, Jade’s calming presence will help reduce Lewis’ anxiety and improve interactions with his four siblings. Best of all, Jade will be Lewis’ best friend, something he greatly needs after the recent death of a close school friend.

If you are wondering what Lewis wrote to help sway the ADNI assessors, here is an excerpt from his letter:

“I would feed it and care for it because I would love it more than anything. If it was with me it would be like Superdog to me. I probably wouldn’t even be scared to go to the forest. I love dogs more than anything.”

He added that if he had an assistance dog he wouldn’t be scared to go upstairs at bedtime, to come downstairs to get his cereal, or to watch TV.

Jade hasn’t been with the family long, but Danielle reports, “it’s been going really well. It’s been like an early Christmas present. To get lying on the sofa with your son beside you and the dog in the middle is amazing.”

According to research from the University of Missouri College of Veterinary Medicine,having a dog helps improve social skills in children with Autism. Just imagine what a difference a dog like Jade can make!

H/T to BBC.com
Featured Image via Danielle Cooper

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Now that the holiday season is coming to a close and we’ve said goodbye to visiting family members, there’s time for a little pause and reflection. Time to think back on the thoughtful gifts, delicious meals, and of course all the ways your mischievous dogs and cats made a horrible mess of the season.

Itchpet recently performed some valuable research on this topic. A survey of 2,000 dog and cat people discovered a myriad of holiday “crimes” our furry friends commit each year. Whether it’s knocking over decorations or stealing figurines from nativity scenes, 53% of respondents indicated that their dogs or cats wreaked havoc over Christmas. 12% said their fur kids have embarrassed them in front of visiting guests.

To put it as Charlotte Harper, Co-founder of Itchpet did:

“Your cat or dog might be your best friend, but that doesn’t mean they can’t cause chaos from time to time.”

Most Common Dog/Cat “Crimes”

According to the survey, here are some of the most commonly reported ways furry family members drove people crazy over the holidays.

1. Damaged festive decorations
2. Climbed the Christmas tree
3. Knocked over the Christmas tree
4. Stole meat from a plate or counter
5. Damaged presents
6. Passed gas during dinner
7. Revealed his ‘lipstick’ in front of friends/family
8. Inappropriately sniffed a guest
9. Chewed up someone’s slippers
10. Brought a dead animal inside
11. Relieved themselves on the Christmas tree
12. Left their own little ‘present’ under the tree
13. Relieved themselves on a snowman/snowwoman/snowthing
14. Made a grandparent trip over them
15. Ate cookies left out for Santa
16. Chewed up gift cards with money in them
17. Stole a figure from the nativity scene
18. Destroyed the Fairy/Star from the Christmas tree
19. Stole underwear from visitors
20. Gave a relative or relatives’ animal fleas

The 12 Naughtiest Breeds

The research also pinpointed a few breeds that are more likely to be on the naughty list than others. If one of these happens to be your little guy or gal, don’t say we didn’t warn you!

1. Jack Russell Terrier
2. Yorkshire Terrier
3. Chihuahua
4. Labrador
5. Springer Spaniel
6. Boxer
7. Mixed breed
8. German Shepherd
9. Cocker Spaniel
10. French Bulldog
11. Cockapoo
12. Dalmatian

No, our dogs don’t exactly follow our sociocultural norms when it comes to holidays, but we forgive them. Maybe that has something to do with how adorable they look in Santa hats. Many people surveyed said their dogs don’t bother them any more than any other relative over the holidays.

Here’s a little holiday tip from Charlotte from Itchpet: keep your animals’ routines the same as usual to keep them calm. Avoid overfeeding them with festive treats and snacks and tell your guests to do the same.

H/T: Country Living

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They say when one door closes, another one opens. Well this saying proved true when an adorable Labrador named River was sacked from her training as a guide dog for her love of chasing squirrels, and in turn found her way to a new career.

While River appeared to be wonderful candidate for a career as a guide dog, she began to raise some eyebrows when her love of chasing squirrels was able to distract her from just about anything. While this is usually a harmless past time for most pups, it’s not exactly ideal when your given the important task of leading the blind.

Though she wasn’t the right fit for a career as a guide dog, her sweet nature and kind heart pointed to another prestigious career in the dog world. She was exactly what the Kent Police Department was looking for in a therapy animal to help support vulnerable suspects and victims in their city.

When we see a suspect arrested, we don’t often think about the possible mental illnesses and complications that have led them down this road. A troubling past and possible mental distress is a huge factor in many crimes, and the Kent Police force understands this fact all too well.

 “We are often dealing with people in crisis and although their behavior has resulted in arrest, they could be suffering with depression, anxiety or mental illness.Young people may find themselves in custody too and in some cases they are scared and daunted by the experience, whilst others may have difficulty in communicating.” – Sergeant Ian Sutton

Being brought into custody can be a traumatic event for the suspect, especially if the suspect is young or suffering from any kind of mental illness.

“Being detained can exacerbate these issues and we are committed to ensure that police custody is a safe and supportive environment for both police, staff and detainees. We are always looking for new or innovative ways to achieve this.” – Sergeant Ian Sutton

A custody canine’s job is to provide support for suspects during the custody process, and hopefully help to reduce stress for vulnerable suspects and ease the difficulty of communicating with officers. Since beginning her work with the Kent Police Department, officers have noticed a positive impact on the custody process when she is present.

With dogs like River on board at the station, police officers can spend less time diffusing the situation, and more time on getting to the bottom of the crime. Custody canines can make a huge difference to staff and suspects involved in the custody process, and are beginning to be considered in police stations in other areas.

We’re so glad that River found the way to her perfect situation after her initial setback. Keep up the good work River!

H/T: tyla.com
Image Source: KentPolice/Facebook

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Dogs survive car accidents all the time (thank God.) But often injured and terrified dogs will wander from accidents, unknowingly denying themselves the care they need. That makes emotional support for canine car accident victims important too.

A police officer in New York knows that, and it’s a good thing he was there for a dog hit by a car this month. On Facebook, The Chautauqua County Sheriff’s Office shared a photo of Sergeant Chris Howlett and a dog on a roadside snowbank. The dog had just been struck by a vehicle and the deputy responded to a call.

A picture is worth a thousand words as we know, and this one definitely speaks volumes. The officer has his hand on the grim-looking dog’s head. His jacket is draped over the poor gal’s body. Howlett waited there with her for help to arrive. He let her know she wasn’t alone.

Everything about this says true compassion. The Sheriff’s Office notes how infrequently this aspect of law enforcement circulates around the web.

“During times that there seems to be negative press towards law enforcement this shows a bit of compassion on the part of law enforcement and specifically our deputies.”

Commenters took the opportunity to show their appreciation for local law enforcement and first responders.

“Thanks to all law enforcement, first responders, and all people that put their life on the line to make the world a safer place.” -Roger Gould via Facebook

“Thank you for your service and thank you for being so very kind to a fur baby in the frigid temperatures. Above and Beyond Duty!!!” – Pat Belbot via Facebook

The Pup Is Recovering!

The dog eventually got reunited with her family, but in that time after the accident she was never alone. She had comfort and protection from Howlett. She was safe.

Naturally you’re probably curious about how the dog is doing now. The Sheriff’s Office provided an update through the pup’s family. For starters, her name is Rogue.

“…she is being evaluated by Veterinarians. She is doing well and hopefully we will back home by Monday. I am sure the family has greatly appreciated the outpouring of support from everyone.”

For now, Rogue’s family will be monitoring her condition. Despite sustaining minor injuries  from the accident, she should be okay. It’s a good thing someone was there from the start to convince her of that.

H/T: WKBW
Featured Image: @Chautauqua-County-Sheriffs-Office/Facebook

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If you grew up with a dog by your side, you know what a rewarding experience it is. Having an adorable furry friend to play with is the dream for any kid. A new study suggests that there could be more benefits to dogs than just happiness. People that are exposed to dogs early in life are less likely to develop schizophrenia when they grow up. Having a dog during your childhood can keep you both happy and healthy!

Family dogs are one of the first living creatures children have close contact with. Kids can easily bond with a dog, which can affect their life in more ways than a parent could imagine. Serious psychiatric disorders are often linked to environmental exposures at a young age. So, it makes sense that exposure to an adorable furry friend would make a lifelong impact on a person.

What is the Study?

This study from Johns Hopkins Medicine looked at a total of 1,371 men and women between the ages of 18 and 65. Of those individuals, 396 had schizophrenia, 381 had bipolar disorder, and 594 had neither. Every participant in the study was asked if they grew up with a dog or cat in the first 12 years of their life. If they had a dog or cat in their family when they were born, they were considered to be exposed to animals since birth.

During the study, they paid close attention to the age that each person was exposed to a dog or cat. They carefully looked at the age ranges from birth to 3, 4 to 5, 6 to 8, and 9 to 12.

Study Results

There is still a lot more to research, but the results are good news for all dog lovers. This study revealed that people who were exposed to a dog before they turned 13 were 24% less likely to be diagnosed with schizophrenia in the future. Of course, most dog lovers already knew that dogs were good for our health just based on person experience!

While there is still lots to discover, it’s clear that growing up with a dog can benefit you. So, make sure your kids get to spend plenty of time with dogs to make them happier and healthier. Dogs truly can change your life for the better.

H/T: sciencedaily.com

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Almost every dog is scared of fireworks. New Year’s Eve can be a fun time of the year for humans, but not so much for our canine companions. But if we think ahead for them, they won’t have to be  running around nervously and frantically trying to find a place to hide and feel safe.

Now this family ensured their dog is soothed and relaxed all throughout the holiday. This 6-year-old Golden Retriever dog named Joey is scared of fireworks. So to help him relax, his family had him wear headphones and watch videos on an iPad.

Joey’s human, a woman named Emily, posted a short video of him on Twitter while he’s wearing headphones and watching videos, and everyone melted for him. Check out the video below!

he’s scared of the fireworks so my mom put on some dog videos for himpic.twitter.com/VTjYa6YIcK

— emily (@spaghemily) July 5, 2016

Awww…

Everyone loved Joey. The video garnered over 120,000 retweets and 200,000 LIKES! The video even got featured on Today’s news!

Joey is lucky to have such a wonderful family who’s concerned about his well-being.

How about you? How did you make your dog feel relaxed during fireworks? Tell us about it in the comments section below!

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Tragedy struck an Ohio family twice. Just over a year ago, Andrew Allen was hit by a car while crossing the road. This happened just days after his 2-year-old brother lost his battle with brain cancer. The circumstances were unimaginable. As Andrew laid in the hospital in a coma and dependent upon life support, his family prepared to say their goodbyes.

Surviving And Thriving

The odds were stacked against Andrew. He was hit by multiple cars and suffered a traumatic brain injury, damage to his internal organs, compound fractures in both legs, and a fractured shoulder blade. He became stable but then he eventually regressed and required emergency brain surgery. And yet, he beat the odds.

If you didn’t know about his accident, you may not even notice any deficit when speaking to Andrew. He has some short term memory problems and he sometimes needs a little more time to think before answering a question. Doctors didn’t think he would walk again but he proved them wrong. Not only did he prove them wrong by walking again, but he recently ran a 5K and completed an 11-week fire and EMS academy! One thing he is certainly excellent at is smiling. Andrew’s smile has gotten even bigger with the newest addition to his family.

Good Things Come In Small Packages (And With Three Legs)

The Allens had talked about finding a puppy for Andrew, so Andrew’s dad had gone to the shelter to take a peek around. The shelter was closed when he got there. But, as he was walking back to his car, a voice called out, asking him if he needed help. It was Denise Johnson, the Senior Operations Manager of the SPCA Cincinnati.

“We started discussing puppies, and he told me he was Mr. Allen from the Allen family. And then the tears flowed,” Denise Johnson told wcpo.com.

She knew she had the perfect match for Andrew.

In the shelter sat a three-legged puppy named Harland. Harland had been left inside a garbage bag that was zip-tied shut and dumped on the side of the road. He was left to die. But, just like his new best friend, Harland beat the odds.

“Today Harland is alive and enjoying every moment to the fullest. He still has some serious injuries that will ultimately cost him his front right leg,” Andrew’s dad, Todd, posted to Facebook. “In the coming weeks when his rear leg fracture is fully healed he will undergo the amputation surgery of the front right leg.”

The two instantly built an unbreakable bond, fortified by their resiliency and second chances at life.

“These two unstoppable survivors have in each other a common bond in their past. It’s an unfortunate and sad connection. But as we’ve all seen so many times before it’s often the broken among us that end up inspiring us the most,” said Todd.

h/t: wcponews.com
Featured Photo: @teambrody/Facebook

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About 12 years ago, Claire-Louise Nixon rescued her very first special needs dog that was in danger of being let go without rescue intervention. Though caring for this handicapped puppy was an experience like no other, this Milton Keynes resident had no idea that the love and dedication to this one pup would open the door to a long future in animal rescue.

After the rescue of her first special needs resident, a tiny Cocker Spaniel named Thomas Cook with a cleft palate, Claire-Louise was officially initiated into the animal rescue lifestyle. Caring for the helpless Cocker puppy ignited a passion inside Nixon that she had never experienced before, and she knew she had to continue this work for the sake of animals. It was then that she decided to make it her mission to rescue as many handicapped, or otherwise “different” pups that crossed her path.

Once word spread of the incredible efforts of the dedicated dog rescuer in Milton Keynes, the Nixon brood continued to grow. Fast forward to 2019, and Claire-Louise has opened her home to 27 rescues from all around the world.

Some of her daily tasks include medicating the rescues in her home, giving paralyzed pups daily baths to keep them clean and free of infection, and constantly keeping up with the cleaning in a house that holds 27 dogs. Caring for the dogs in her care is an around the clock job.

Though her job can be quite tedious, she explains that the wonderful rescues in her home make everything worth it. There is Sherlock Holmes, who was shot by a security guard. There is Freddie Mercury, the previously paralyzed pup who has since gained his strength to walk. There is Patrick Swayze, a lovable canine with a disorder that causes him to twitch.

In addition to these extraordinary pooches listed above are dogs who have been injured from living in war-torn areas, dogs who have been in automobile accidents, and some with severe spinal injuries. There seems to be no limit to the dogs that Claire-Louise is willing to rescue, but one thing is certain; she will stop at nothing to save a dog in need!

Though some of the dogs in her care will struggle for the rest of their lives, she takes a particular interest in helping paralyzed pups gain back some of their abilities. With success helping some of her previously down rescues gain strength and walk again, she knows that nothing is impossible!

“When I get these dogs who are in such a bad way, the vet would say: ‘Claire, you won’t get them walking again’, But now they say nothing is impossible! They say we work miracles with them! I think all they need is love, kindness and patience. When they walk into my house they see other dogs like them so they don’t feel any different, that’s why I think they do so well here. If you give them a reason to walk again then they will.” – Claire-Louise

Claire-Louise has an incredible support system with her animal loving husband and daughter, and is able to support these incredible pups with the donations to her organization called Wheels to Paws UK. We are so grateful for dedicated animal lovers like them, and send all of our love and support for their future efforts.

If you would like to support the continued efforts of Wheels to Paws UK, you can contact Claire-Louise through the rescues Facebook page.

H/T: tyla.com
Image Source: WheelsToPawsUK/Facebook

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San Francisco resident Emilie Talermo would do absolutely anything for her beloved Australian Shepherd Jackson. Since he was taken from her, that’s all she’s been doing. The pup was stolen from outside a grocery store in Bernal Heights neighborhood in San Francisco on December 14th.

Talermo first adopted her best friend in New York. They’ve been together over 5 years and crossed the country together. For weeks now the two have been apart, and she has no idea where he is or who he’s with. It’s the worst feeling imaginable.

A GoFundMe page describes what security cameras captured of the theft.

“He was taken by someone who looks unassuming (not homeless). The man took a photo of him, pet him, sat next to him and then untied him from the bench and walked off with him.”

The website www.bringjacksonhome.com seeks assistance from the San Fransisco and Oakland communities to return the dog to his rightful parent.

“If you recently purchased a dog from a private party, please contact your nearest vet or animal control to have him scanned (Jackson is microchipped). Maybe the one you purchased is Jackson! Or maybe it’s someone else’s! Good to get awareness around this.”

Heartbreakingly, Talermo has been posting updates and images of Jackson on her personal Instagram page since he’s been missing. She really just wants him back home with her!

Talermo does not intend to punish the person who took Jackson. She won’t ask any questions of whoever returns her best friend to her and has no plans to involve police. In theory, whoever has him now has absolutely no clue he was taken.

Community members have pitched in with donations on the GoFundMe page so Talermo can offer a reward to the person who finds or returns Jackson. There have been search parties throughout the city. Talermo made a Tinder account for Jackson.She even hired a $1,200 airplane to fly a banner with the search website address on it for two hours over San Francisco and Oakland.

Nearly in tears, Talermo told Fox how much she misses her pup.”

“He’s always with me. It’s a very real love. I just need help finding him.”

All we can hope is this heartbroken mom’s tireless efforts will be rewarded.

“Our hope is to bring Jackson back, but it is also a callout to community to be cautious with your dog. Christmas is just around the corner and the thought of a little kid getting gifted this handsome dog for Christmas makes my heart hurt—for me, my dog, and the kid (if we were to find him and have to take him back).”

As of this post, Jackson still has yet to be found. Anyone in the San Francisco area is encouraged to keep their eyes out for an Australian Shepherd with two blue eyes who responds to Jackson. You can also help by re-sharing the flyer and website information. If you do adopt a dog that looks like Jackson, make sure to have his chip scanned!

H/T: Fox11
Featured Image: @emilie.talermo/Instagram

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Davina Liberty and Sarah Grimes were shocked when they found an animal in need. They came across a dog limping when they were horseback riding in the Jackson State Forest in California. He appeared to be in really rough shape, but that wasn’t the most noticeable part. The poor dog was wearing a medical cone on his head and he had lots of wounds. So, Liberty knew that she had to do something to save this sweet pup.

The dog was clearly very scared. He was hesitant whenever people approached him, but Liberty refused to let that stop her. She carefully walked over to him and gently pet him. He showed no signs of aggression. In fact, he seemed to enjoy the affection. He was clearly just a loving dog that had somehow ended up in a horrible situation.

Right away, Liberty called for help. She could tell that the dog was in grave condition, so he needed to get proper medical attention as soon as possible. 

Thunder the Wonder Dog

This sweet dog received the name ‘Thunder the Wonder Dog: the Cone Dog from the Woods’. Madison Wade from ABC10 explained that his name is so long because his journey is even longer. 

The Mendocino Coast Humane Society took Thunder in. Their medical team was able to look at his wounds and injuries more closely. They soon discovered that his condition was more serious than they thought. 

The cone had been on his head so long that it was digging into his skin, so,it had to be surgically removed. In addition to that surgery, Thunder also had multiple wounds likely from wild animals.

Thunder has slowly started to recover since he was found. He is a sweet 7-year-old dog that just needed some love. It will take a long time for him to fully recover, but there are plenty of loving people that have helped him so far. 

Is Thunder Adoptable?

When Thunder arrived at the humane society, they discovered that he had a microchip. However, the information in that microchip hadn’t been updated since 2015. It said that he was from Nevada, so he had traveled about 300 miles!

Law enforcement was able to locate Thunder’s family. Since then, the family signed paperwork releasing Thunder into the humane society’s custody. Animal control is still investigating the situation, so they can’t give out much information on his past.

Even though Thunder is in need of a forever family, he’s not ready to be adopted just yet. He has a lot of healing left to do, so he won’t be adoptable until he fully recovers. 

Many people have expressed interest in adopting Thunder, but the humane society thinks it will take him a long time to heal. They encourage everyone that is interested in him to go out and adopt another dog in need. Only one family will be able to adopt him, but there are plenty of other dogs out there waiting for a forever family.

“If you have room in your heart and home for Thunder, you have room for another dog in need,” said Liberty.

So far, over $10,000 has been donated to help with Thunder’s needs. Everyone involved is very moved by the generosity of those supporting him. They even created a Facebook page for Thunder to keep everyone updated on his progress. He’s very lucky to have so many people cheering him on! 

H/T: abc10.com
Featured Image: Thunder, The Wonder Dog: The Cone Dog From The Woods Facebook

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For years, the community has worked hard to raise money to help veterans get service dogs. The cost of a service dog is expensive, so many people in need cannot afford to have one by their side. Currently, Veterans Affairs supports veterans that need a service dog for mobility issues, but they don’t cover costs for those with mental health problems. However, a new potential bill could change this completely.

This new bill is called the Puppies Assisting Wounded Servicemembers Act of 2019, or the PAWS Act for short. This act is currently being looked at more closely, and there are many people supporting it.

Veterans Need Service Dogs

Rep. John Rutherford from Florida and Sen. Deb Fischer from Nebraska created this bill. Their goal is to make service dogs accessible for more veterans, especially for those with mental health problems such as PTSD.

Sadly, the suicide rates for veterans with PTSD is very high. Around 20 veterans commit suicide each day. Also, around 30% of veterans from Vietnam experience PTSD. Sadly, the percentages of veterans from other wars are just as high.

A service dog could greatly help some of these veterans, but the price is just too much. Service dogs trained to help with PTSD start at around $5,000, but many are even more expensive. 

“Veterans with PTSD may have left the battlefield, but they are still in a tough fight,” Fischer said. “Service dogs can provide support, peace, and joy to these Americans as they confront the invisible scars of war.”

Of course, dogs cannot fully cure a mental illness, but they can make a huge difference in a person’s life. They have proven to have a positive effect on the veterans they help. So, the more veterans that can have a service dog by their side, the better.

Supporting the New Bill

Luckily, there are many advocates for the PAWS Act. They will all continue to push for it to make sure it gets passed as soon as possible. 

“People are always asking me what is it the dogs actually do,” said Rory Diamond, the CEO of K9s for Warriors. “The genius of the dog, or the magic, is it gets the warrior out the front door. You have a reason to get up in the morning because the dog needs to be fed and walked.”

Unfortunately, the VA has not taken a stance on the PAWS Act just yet. So, it’s important to share information about it with the world. Veterans deserve to have their own service dogs when they need it. If supporters keep pushing for this bill, then hopefully it will be passed very soon!

H/T: blog.theveteranssite.greatergood.com

Featured Image: Lyndon Villone Facebook

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