Smoky Mountain Service Dogs said it is expanding its reach to help servicemembers with post-traumatic injuries.
KNOXVILLE, Tenn. — An East Tennessee nonprofit is working to help wounded military veterans and first responders by pairing them with dogs to help them through post-traumatic stress.
The Smoky Mountain Service Dogs said it was expanding its reach to help more servicemembers, pairing them with service dogs trained to help them with post-traumatic stress.
One service member, Bryan Gross, said dogs with the non-profit are saving lives. He was given York, a 6-year-old, 61 lbs. Yellow Labrador tasked with helping him.
“He’s me. He acts a lot like me,” Gross said. “He’s concerned about me right now because he knows I have some anxiety.”
York was checking on Gross as he spoke, nuzzling him and signaling his presence. Gross said York primarily helps him with mobility assistance, like preventing him from falling in one direction. York is also trained on how to handle some post-traumatic stressors.
Gross is a Sergeant First Class and served in the Navy, the Army and was a police officer in New York City. He dedicated more than 20 years of service in the armed forces and in law enforcement. He said the cost of that service left physical and emotional wounds.
“I didn’t want to go anywhere. I was in a lot of pain. I had issues walking around and falling,” he said. “I was having a lot of anxiety due to that.”
Mike Kitchens, Chairman of Smoky Mountain Service Dogs, said his nonprofit aims to support people like Gross as they live with post-traumatic stress. The dogs are custom-trained at no cost to recipients, according to the nonprofit’s website.
“The dog’s there. If the veteran starts going to a dark place, and that 70 lbs. lab gets up in their chest, then the world is a better place,” he said. “The injuries that you don’t see are the more significant injuries.”
The United States Department of Veterans Affairs said more than 17 veterans took their own lives per day in 2022. Kitchens said that a dog could help lower anxiety levels among veterans and help them cope with traumatic experiences, ultimately lowering suicide rates.
“The dog might see the veteran’s leg shake and the dog will place their head on the leg,” he said.
The nonprofit has given out more than 70 dogs so far.
This post was originally published on this site be sure to check out more of their content.
