Canadian veterans with PTSD to be connected with government-funded service dogs

After years of study, the Harper government is moving forward with a plan to connect veterans suffering from post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) with service animals.

Yesterday, CTV News reported that the Veterans Affairs Department will be funding a two-and-a-half year pilot project that will provide service dogs for up to 50 veterans with PTSD. The announcement comes after a long investigation into the benefits of animal therapy.

"We're looking at how to move the yard stick forward in a way we can provide benefits," Julian Fantino said this morning. "We can't do everything but some of these things are moving along, and service dogs are one of them."

Currently, these service dogs, which can cost up to $15,000 each and take up to three years to train, are funded by charitable donations. Sources told CTV News that the government would be providing up to $500,000 for the project, but Veterans Affairs isn't releasing a specific dollar amount.

Recognizing a need for service dogs

PTSD is one of the most common mental health issues in the military, and its symptoms — including depression, anxiety and sleep, anger and mood disorders — can take years to appear.

In April, Global News reported that Canadian charities were pushing for greater acceptance of animal therapy, as it appears to be a valuable tool for struggling veterans.

The Canadian military does not currently prescribe animal therapy to its members because it doesn't believe there's sufficient evidence to support the treatment. If a military member wants to seek out animal therapy outside of the military, they must first get permission from their chain of command.

Earlier this month, New Brunswick Senator Carolyn Stewart Olsen said she wanted to see PTSD-suffering veterans in her province to have better access to service dogs. She invited some veterans with dogs to a local school to show young students how service dogs can improve lives.

"Children should learn that this is something they can deal with and there are people to help and I think the dogs. I know at the ceremony we had, [there were] stats that said all of those vets who had dogs, had no attempted suicide," she told CBC News.

Corporal Johnny Langevin, an Intelligence Operator based out of Kingston, Ontario, was one of the veterans Olsen introduced to students.

Langevin, who was diagnosed with PTSD in 2006 after returning home from Afghanistan, takes his service dog Hank to work with him every day. He was partnered with Hank through Wounder Warriors Canada's Courageous Companions program.

"There's a lot of guys out there that have it that don't want to come forward because they're afraid," Langevin told Global News.

"There are struggles. But the more awareness that gets out there, the more [PTSD] gets accepted as an actual injury," he added. "There's nothing wrong with the member, it's just like if you had a broken leg – there's certain things you need to do to get better and carry on."

More than just a furry friend

George Leonard, the owner of Courageous Companions in Winnipeg, told CTV News that returning Afghan war veterans are upping the demand for service dogs.

"We figure it'll be in the thousands," Leonard said. "And it's not just PTSD, it's physical disabilities, traumatic brain injuries, it's seizures, it's diabetes."

Veteran Daniel Drapeau, who served in Cyprus, credits his service dog 'Kenya' with saving his life.

"When my diabetes is too low, too high, she tells me right away," Drapeau, who suffers from PTSD and physical injuries, told CTV News. "She takes care of my PTSD, she helps me undress, she'll push on the handicap button on the door, elevator.

"Any veteran who has a service dog can never kill himself."

The Canadian Service Dog Foundation (CSDF) cites an independent American study that found that 82 per cent of PTSD sufferers reported a reduction in symptoms — 40 per cent were even able to reduce their medications — after being paired with a service dog.

According to the CSDF website, "History has shown that people are able to regain an increased level of functional independence, mobility and confidence through the support of these magnificent animals."

Senator Olsen hopes PTSD service dogs will eventually be available to every Canadian veteran who needs one.

Fantino's pilot project promises to be a good start.

Service animals of a different colour

The government has also been looking into the therapeutic role of horses.

Alberta-based Can Praxis uses horses to help Canadian Forces members re-enter civilian life with a three-day program for veterans and their families.

"I know people that have gone to Can Praxis and have come back changed people. They have something to live for," Veterans Affairs critic Peter Stoffer told Global News last month.

"Can Praxis should be talked about from the rooftops across Canada – the more we talk about it, the more we can help these people," Stoffer said. "It's a pharmaceutical-free, free way to help veterans who are suffering with PTSD."