Press Release – K9 Partners for Patriots Reaches 200 Graduates Among Veterans & Service Dogs

K9 Partners for Patriots Service Dog Team Graduates

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Written by K9 Partners for Patriots

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Press Release

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March 12, 2019

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.

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FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Contact: Gregg Laskoski
(352) 397-5306

K9 PARTNERS FOR PATRIOTS REACHES 200 GRADUATES AMONG VETERANS & SERVICE DOGS

BROOKSVILLE, FL (March 12, 2019) â€“ K9 Partners for Patriots reached a new milestone when its graduating class of veterans and service dogs completed their 19-week training course today. This class now brings the total number of graduates to 200.

K9 Partners for Patriots is a nonprofit program for veterans-only, where veterans with Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD); Traumatic Brain Injury (TBI) and/or Military Sexual Trauma (MST) train together with their service dog. Select dogs are capable of alerting to the scent of adrenaline which enables them –with proper trainingâ€” to help veterans better manage the debilitating stress and anxieties that accompany PTSD.

â€œSuccess at programs like ours is essential because among veterans with PTSD we have a veteran suicide rate of 22 per day in the U.S. according to the Dept. of Veterans Affairs,â€ says Mary Peter, founder and CEO, K9 Partners for Patriots. â€œSadly, many veterans with PTSD never seek help; they feel thereâ€™s a stigma to it… and those who do often withdraw even more when the pills and prescriptions tried on them fail,â€ she noted.

â€œBy creating and strengthening a bond between them and their service dog, they gain confidence because for the first time in a long time they now see a path forward,â€ said Peter.

â€œItâ€™s extremely gratifying to see the progress our veterans make. When they first get here, many are overwhelmed with anxiety and stress; some can barely make it in the door,â€ she added. â€œBut over
time they recognize that this is a family. They build mutual trust and companionship with their service dog and they are at home training with other veterans with similar struggles.â€

â€œThey see from week to week what they are accomplishing together and that helps them regain confidence and hope,â€ noted Peter. â€œAnd in the process, theyâ€™re replacing isolation with socialization and camaraderie.â€

The first graduate of the program was on hand for the milestone too. Ron Flaville, a Marine Corps and Army veteran, today serves as Chief Operating Officer for K9P4P.

And now itâ€™s grown into a success that has drawn the praise of participating veterans and the support of federal and state officials. The Dept. of Defense provides some grant funding aimed at enabling K9
Partners for Patriots daily operations as well as replicating its methodology with like-minded veterans organizations across the U.S.

â€œThe number of veterans with PTSD and related disabilities from all eras seems to be growing faster than the VA can manage,â€ says Flaville. â€œBut what our program has proven is that a well-trained service dog can be far more effective than pills. Among the 320,000 veterans just in the greater Tampa Bay area, anywhere from 10% to 20% of them could be suffering from PTSD, TBI, or MST. We want these veterans to benefit from what we provide for free. They just need to take the first step.â€

K9 Partners for Patriots is a nonprofit 501c3 organization based in Brooksville, FL. Its mission is to give veterans and active military a second chance at life by empowering those with Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD), Traumatic Brain Injury (TBI) and Military Sexual Trauma (MST) through the experience of training and caring for their own service dog.