K9 Partners for Patriots Joins AmerisourceBergen Effort to Erase Mental Health Stigma

Press Release - K9 Partners for Patriots

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Written by K9 Partners for Patriots

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News | Press Release

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October 31, 2022

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.

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Contact: Gregg Laskoski
Mobile: 352-345-5829

K9 PARTNERS FOR PATRIOTS JOINS AMERISOURCE-BERGEN EFFORT TO ERASE MENTAL HEALTH STIGMA

BROOKSVILLE, FL (Oct. 31, 2022) — When the AmerisourceBergen Foundation, an independent not-for-profit charitable giving organization, gathered to discuss health-related causes that enrich the global community, K9 Partners for Patriots was honored to be among more than 50 nonprofit partners attending the foundation’s fourth annual Grantee & Nonprofit Partner Conference. The two-day event held in Conshohocken, PA helped to facilitate collaboration, best-practice sharing and discussions about how to improve and impact the quality, equity and access to healthcare for global change.

Leaders from nonprofit partners such as the CDC Foundation spoke to the importance of tapping into the power of policy and partnerships to make an impact on communities; and the opportunity to build trust on a local-level by listening with intention and collaboration with fellow community-organizations and businesses.

Several nonprofit partners, including Not One More Vet, Community Anti-Drug Coalitions of America (CADCA), Nurse-Family Partnership and K9 Partners for Patriots, shared their common goal and challenge of breaking down the stigma of mental health.

Robert White, chief operating officer for K9 Partners for Patriots, told the gathering:
“Educating service members, veterans as well as the local community about the signs and symptoms of PTSD is key in eliminating the stigma of accessing mental health care. The perilous pattern of self-isolation too often leads to the premature end of life. Admitting that you have symptoms of PTSD does not mean that you are broken or weak. Not all scars are visible and seeking mental health care should be viewed the same as seeking care for physical problems.”

He added, “Mental healthcare needs more awareness from the general public as well as the V.A. which will hopefully lead to more funding and treatment solutions. Too many lives have been lost to PTSD and our goal is to eliminate this tragedy.”

Panelists noted the importance or working collectively and recounted the challenges that the COVID-19 pandemic had on the increase in mental health-related incidents and the urgency people must now have to eliminate the problem and ultimately giving people an opportunity at life.

About the AmerisourceBergen Foundation
The AmerisourceBergen Foundation is an independent not-for-profit charitable giving organization established by AmerisourceBergen Corporation to support health-related causes that enrich the global community. The Foundation aims to improve the health and well-being of its patient populations – both human and animal – by investing in its communities. Through strategic partnerships and community collaboration, the Foundation works to expand access to quality healthcare and provide resources to ensure prescription drug safety. For more information, visit www.amerisourcebergenfoundation.org.

K9 Partners for Patriots K9PartnersForPatriots.org is a nonprofit 501c3 organization based in Brooksville, FL. We exist to prevent veteran suicide, to provide hope and healing for those struggling with Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder, Traumatic Brain Injury or Military Sexual Trauma. Together we provide a positive path forward through the experience of training and caring for their own service dog in a safe environment of camaraderie, friendship & family that brings veterans from self-doubt to self-confidence; from isolation to reconnection.
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