Warrior Buddies: Unconditional love for our nation’s heroes

Warrior Buddies is a program that “brings unconditional love to our nation’s heroes,” according to Lori Leary, president of the Prince William Humane Society.

She says there are similar programs around the country, but with the proximity to Fort Belvoir and Quantico she thought that the program would be a great way for homeless dogs to find homes and become service teams for wounded veterans.

Leary says that there are two trainers who volunteer to train service teams. Usually, the veteran will receive a referral from a doctor for a service animal to help with special needs.

Typically, Leary said, the veteran may be suffering from Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder, PTSD, or traumatic brain injuries, TBI.

She recalls a particular veteran who suffered from seizures and his service dog was an Airedale Terrier, a large dog, who was trained to brace himself when the man was having a seizure and lower the veteran to the ground.

Leary also tells the story of Ruby, a pit-bull puppy with a fractured cheek-bone. Leary says she was the sweetest dog and her foster family agreed that she should be service dog. She was selected by a trainer during evaluation and became inseparable with her owner.

When veterans are identified, trainers come to the Prince William County shelter to test dogs for their temperament. They will typically choose dogs that will be trainable and a good fit for the veteran’s needs. The veteran then visits the shelter and selects his or her dog.

Prince William Humane Society pays the adoption fee, for a check up with a veterinarian and for the microchip for the animal. The dog then goes into training for six to twelve weeks. Dogs are brought to the home and out in the community.

The Warrior Buddies program has been operating since March 2013 and so far has put together nine service teams.

Leary adds that the program is two parts. In addition to putting wounded veterans together with dogs that offer therapeutic aid, the group also offers half-price adoptions for military families.

Families only need to show a military identificiation card. PWHS has found families and homes for 110 homeless animals through the program.

For more information on the program and how you can help, go to http://www.pwhumane.org/ email, warrior-buddies@pwhumane .org or call 703-328-5885.