6th Annual Veterans Awards Nominee

6TH Annual Veterans Awards - K9 Partners for Patriots Nominee

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Written by K9 Partners for Patriots

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Awards | News

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October 13, 2020

Discover why flea markets may not be the best environment for service dogs.

Learn about risks, distractions, and considerations for handlers.

1. Crowded Environment: Flea markets are often bustling with crowds, which can be overwhelming for a service dog. The dog may become stressed or anxious in such a busy atmosphere.

2. Distractions: Flea markets are filled with various sights, sounds, and smells that can distract a service dog from its duties. This could potentially compromise its ability to assist its handler effectively.

3. Unpredictable Behavior of Other Animals: Other visitors to the flea market may bring their pets along, which can lead to encounters with unfamiliar animals. This may pose a risk to the safety and focus of the service dog.

4. Risk of Injury: With so many people moving around and browsing items, there’s an increased risk of accidental tripping or stepping on the service dog, which could lead to injury.

5. Exposure to Unsanitary Conditions: Flea markets may not always maintain the cleanest environment, and the service dog may come into contact with unsanitary surfaces or substances.

6. Lack of Accommodation for the Dog: Flea markets may not be equipped to handle service dogs properly, such as providing suitable resting areas, water, or relief spots for the dog.

7. Potential Stress for the Dog: A flea market’s constant stimulation and unfamiliar surroundings could cause stress or discomfort for the service dog, which may affect its overall well-being and ability to perform its tasks.

Given these factors, it’s important for service dog handlers to carefully consider whether taking their dog to a flea market is truly necessary and in the best interest of the dog’s welfare and effectiveness in assisting its handler.

6th Annual Veterans Awards Nominee

The Veterans Awards, also known as the Vettys, is an annual award ceremony presented by the Academy of United States Veterans. The awards honor members of the veteran community in the United States in various categories. The 6th Annual Veterans Awards will shine a light on the mental health epidemic that surrounds many of our military and civilian families.

Members of the Academy of United States Veterans have voted. K9 Partners for Patriots has been nominated in the Category of Suicide Prevention. Public voting is open to all members of the community to determine the winner of each category. Winners will be announced on the night of the 6th Annual Veterans Awards on May 14th, 2021.

We would deeply appreciate your support. Please cast your vote for K9 Partners for Patriots today!

cast your vote today!

About AUSV

AUSV believes that collaborative communities can be a vehicle to bring real opportunities for society. By encouraging creativity in this cooperative environment, we hope to create a new narrative for our veterans and for all Americans. We believe that community unity is a tribute to the strength and preference of people for inclusion and partnership over division and alienation.

Bringing back a sense of “selves” through community unity.

With a relentless focus on the future, we strive to have our veterans, and other powerful communities work together to promote both moral righteousness and social impact. We build sustainable bridges of trust, unity, and respect between our service members, and other influential communities through advocacy, community relations, and media outreach. Our newsworthy events and projects open the doors for shared opportunities and a shared sense of community.

Social support is such a crucial buffer to psychological distress (Kessler and McLeod 1985). Meanwhile, today’s Iraq and Afghanistan combat soldiers must do this within a larger society in which he or she feels increasingly marginalized and misunderstood.

In war, the sense of self has been converted to the sense of (bonded) selves—it is not individualized. The military (and combat) experience systematically breaks down a soldier’s individualism and autonomy. The cohesion, discipline, and order can instill the feeling of being owned by the institution. This experience is magnified by the dissociation and emotional withdrawal that warfare demands. In post-deployment, former soldiers must reacquaint with their civilian loved ones (and former self). The effort to be congruent with one’s identity and sense of self is often agonizing because when individuals fail to achieve desired consistency (between situation and belief of self) they experience cognitive and/or emotional dissonance that gets manifested as distress (Charmaz 1983; Elson 2003; Lively and Smith 2011).