Military Service Dogs The History and Tails
“Most of the vets I’ve spoken to don’t want dogs to do tricks. We just want companionship,” he says. “Eighteen vets commit suicide every day in this country, and one animal is put to sleep every eight seconds. They can help save each other.” Sharpe told the Washington Post regarding his vision in linking pound dogs and suffering soldiers.
“I couldn’t talk to anybody — not my father, not the counselors — but I could talk to that dog, and she never judged me,” Sharpe says. “We don’t want to hear, ‘Wow, that must have been horrible.’ We just want to talk.”
Cheyenne couldn’t ask Sharpe why he was doing it, however she could listen if he wanted her too. All Cheyenne knew as she stared at Sharpe was that if he pulled that trigger no one would be around to take care of her, and pits are not exactly known to be favorites among rescue shelters.
Pit bulls and soldiers have one main thing in common and that is they are both misunderstood and alienated because of society’s lack of acceptance. Soldiers fight everyday for our freedom, they are not the ones who started this war and pits are just as innocent as any other breed, unfortunately celebrities such as Michael Vick have attributed to the bad wrap.
Personally I believe animals are sent to us as guardians and what is going to result from this story of David Sharpe and Cheyenne will be exactly that. To find out more about the program visit the Huffington Post’s article Service Dogs for Veterans. Soldiers will find comfort in the silence and unconditional love offered by their canine companions and hopefully shelter dogs can find homes in the arms of returning veterans in the years to come.
Quartermasters Museum-History of Canines in Combat http://www.qmmuseum.lee.army.mil/dogs_and_national_defense.htm#History%20of%20Military%20Use%20of%20Dogs
David Sharpe and Cheyenne: Veterans and Shelter Dogs Find Common Bond
Huffington Post Service Dogs For Veterans
http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2011/06/24/service-dogs-for-veterans_n_883938.html
Military Service Dogs
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