According to the United States Department of Defense, millions of Americans are currently enlisted in the military. Of these heroic men and women, a tragic number suffer from post-traumatic stress disorder. While no cure has been found to combat PTSD, an animal rescue group has found a way to ease a soldier’s suffering through the placement of service dogs. This Veteran’s Day, Guardians of Rescue is traveling to Culpeper, VA to deliver a German Shepherd to Marine Lance Corporal Ryan Rankins.
“It’s so tragic to see the men and women who have sacrificed everything for our country to come back and be in pain from mental wounds. The placement of service dogs in a home has proven to be a very successful method of treating PTSD,” affirms Robert Misseri, founder and president of Guardians of Rescue, a national animal rescue organization. “The dogs are rescued from shelters and trained to become service companions, to help soldiers in need by being dependable.”
Lance Corporal Ryan Rankins served in the Marines, completing a tour in Iraq and Afghanistan. He suffers from a combat injury as well as post-traumatic stress disorder and a traumatic brain injury. He is now 100% disabled and not comfortable with leaving his home where he resides with his wife and 3 young children.
According to the Center for Disease Control and Prevention, at least 1.7 million traumatic brain injuries (TBI) occur yearly. A TBI is caused by a bump, blow or jolt to the head or a penetrating head injury that disrupts the normal function of the brain. The National Institute of Mental Health defines PTSD as developing after a terrifying ordeal that involved physical harm or threat of physical harm. People who have PTSD may feel stressed or frightened, even when they’re no longer in danger.
On Sunday, November 10, 2013, Guardians of Rescue is traveling from their headquarters in New York to Culpeper, VA to deliver Madeline, a year old German Shepherd. Madeline has been trained by Guardians of Rescue to work as a therapy dog, providing comfort and support to Lance Corporal Rankins to ease his suffering.
“I’m very much looking forward to having Madeline in our home. I think this is a great way to celebrate Veteran’s Day and we can’t wait for a new addition to the family,” affirms Lance Corporal Ryan Rankins. “We are so grateful to Guardians of Rescue for arranging this for us and for everything they do, especially concerning our military.”
“This is not our first placement of a service dog with a veteran who is suffering from PTSD and we hope it won’t be our last,” affirms Misseri. “We have seen tremendous improvements and success with the veterans who have received our dogs and we hope Madeline makes a difference in Lance Corporal Rankins recovery.”
To learn more about service/therapy dogs, or to make a donation to support the Guardians of Rescue, log onto www.guardiansofrescue.org.