Military dogs treated for war stress
American military dogs are having to be treated for post-traumatic stress disorder after serving in Iraq and Afghanistan.
The illness is well-documented among servicemen and women returning from wars but its existence in animals is less clear-cut.
"There is a condition in dogs which is almost precisely the same, if not precisely the same, as PTSD in humans," said US vet Nicholas Dodman .
But some vets dislike applying the diagnosis to animals, thinking it demeans servicemen and women, he said.
The military defines PTSD as a condition that develops after a life-threatening trauma. Victims suffer three types of experiences long afterward, even in a safe environment. They repeatedly re-experience the trauma in nightmares or vivid memories. They avoid situations or feelings that remind them of the event, and they feel keyed up all the time.
Gina was a playful two-year-old German shepherd when she went to Iraq as a highly trained bomb-sniffing dog, conducting door-to-door searches and witnessing all sorts of noisy explosions.
She returned home to Colorado cowering and fearful. When her handlers tried to take her into a building, she would stiffen her legs and resist. Once inside, she would tuck her tail beneath her body and slink along the floor. She would hide under furniture or in a corner to avoid people.
A military vet diagnosed with her PTSD.
"She showed all the symptoms and she had all the signs," said Master Sgt. Eric Haynes, the kennel master at Peterson Air Force Base. "She was terrified of everybody and it was obviously a condition that led her down that road."
A year later, Gina is on the mend. Frequent walks among friendly people and a gradual reintroduction to the noises of military life have begun to overcome her fears, Sgt. Haynes said.
The dog had been assigned to an Army unit, and her job was to search for explosives after soldiers entered a house. The troops sometimes used noisy, blinding stun grenades and kicked down doors and Gina was once in a convoy when another vehicle was hit by an improvised bomb.
Back home at Peterson, Gina wanted nothing to do with people.
Mr Dodman said he doubted Gina could recover completely.
"It's a fact that fears once learned are never unlearned," he said. "The best thing you can do is apply new learning, which is what (Gina's handlers are) doing," he said.
Popular Stories
Money has to serve, not to rule - Pope
Update 7 - Bombs kill 3 people, wound...
Updated - Boston bomb suspect 'identified'
Margaret Thatcher dies after stroke
Update 2 - Three missing women found...
Update 2: Gunman held in Rome police...
Investigators scour video, photos for...
Updated: Boston lockdown as bomber hunted
Many dead, injured in huge Texas...
In Discussion
Margaret Thatcher dies after stroke
Almost 500 migrants rescued in 24 hours...
Clashes as France approves gay marriages
More migrants arrive in Lampedusa
Boy, 8, killed in Boston blasts...
EU approves Cyprus bailout plan
England to ban wild animals at circuses
Pope washes feet of young inmates -...
Update 7 - Bombs kill 3 people, wound...
9 Comments
Post comment
Please sign in or create your Account to post comments.
M. Vella
Aug 4th 2010, 11:36
Poor animals, put into danger to save humans' lives, without having a say into this choice.
My respect towards animals grows by the minute, respect towards certain humans is dimishing!
Martin Cassar
Aug 3rd 2010, 19:00
@ M.Piccinino
Times of Malta.
Wednesday, 26th May 2010.
http://www.timesofmalta.com/articles/view/20100526/world-news/bush-why-i-stopped-drinking
Ex. USA president admitted that he was mislead and misinformed by both FBI and CIA.
'Although Mr Bush was criticised for not acknowledging errors during his presidency, he was more candid at the convention. He said his biggest regret was not finding weapons of mass destruction in Iraq and that he was misled by intelligence reports.'
............................................................................
Please have a look at:
HUNDREDS OF MOSSAD AGENTS CAUGHT RUNNING WILD IN AMERICA!
http://whatreallyhappened.com/WRHARTICLES/hundreds.html?q=hundreds.html
Also this site:
http://www.reopen911.org/ReOpen911_2007Archive/index.htm
Both Iraq and Afghanistan were never the actual target of these illegal wars-China was!
We are the victims who swallow what targeted - media wants us to know. Interested to know about, rarely, or hardly mentioned Axis of evil? Hit the following link:
The Master Plan for the World and its effect on Resource Stocks
http://www.321gold.com/editorials/maund/maund092906.html
M. Bugeja
Aug 3rd 2010, 19:55
I'm not sure if you were referring to me, but you didn't actually prove how the war in Afghanistan was illegal. There is no basis in reality for such an argument, quite frankly.
In terms of the links posted, they don't seem to be very professional in terms of layout and presentation. Not exactly what I would call very reliable sources.
Jesmond Micallef
Aug 3rd 2010, 17:30
Somewhat reminds of drug sniffer dogs too !! Poor dogs, poor humans !!
Jesmond Micallef
Aug 3rd 2010, 17:22
I would have tought that fear is what rules !! Even in society, fear exists. People are social beings and the leading alpha or feudalistic entity knows this. Thats were theatrical skills come into play. These animals undergo the same stress as humans do. Even worse, this stress is artificially induced upon them and by whom ? They did not invent the machinery and devices that explode with very loud bangs. Human technologists have. Indeed, these human technologists want to earn a living and maybe have a prosperous career with all the fringe benefits. Maybe its about time the animals learn theatrical skills, just like humans do. Image and impression are all a complete must in this game.
Indeed Poor Gina but also Poor humans !!
Martin Cassar
Aug 3rd 2010, 16:43
A heartfelt message to Gina!
Gina, along with the thousands of families of the troops and million of civilians that have been killed or dislocated as a result of USA illegal wars in both Iraq and Afghanistan should ask for compensation from current USA administration.
The more days goes by the more irreversible damages are surfacing. Under a transparent and clean democracy [ if something like that ever existed] all this in my view is enough to lead former USA president to face trial for war crimes.
M. Bugeja
Aug 3rd 2010, 16:52
The war in Afghanistan was by no means illegal. It had the authority of the UN Security Council prior to the invasion, as well as countless UN mandates for continued foreign presence in the country since 2001.
The war in Iraq was not mandated by the UN prior to the invasion, but the UN then gave mandates in order to facilitate and provide justification for the presence of foreign forces there, whilst also providing assistance in form of aid personnel and an official UN embassy of sorts prior to its bombing by insurgents.
Franco Farrugia
Aug 3rd 2010, 17:19
Huh! That will be the day.
This sure gives us the message how important animals are. We let them share in our wars - why not, then, give them 'human' treatment?
Jesmond Micallef
Aug 3rd 2010, 18:15
Good one, Mr. Franco Farrugia.
Please choose the reason of your report below: