Coming Home: Service Dogs Help War Veterans Heal
Since entering Christopher Maddeford's life, A.J., the affectionate 80-pound black Labrador retriever, has been trained to perform dozens of tasks that has helped the Afghan war vet keep his job and enter college. (Photo: YouTube)
While it is easy to "support our troops" with bumperstickers and flags, meeting the needs of returning soldiers brutalized by combat in the Middle East is a lot more challenging.
He’s my best friend. He’s everything to me.
Christopher Maddeford's story is unfortunately all too common. The DailyTail.com reports that when he returned from Afghanistan to Chelsea, Massachusetts, in 2003, Maddeford, an Army sergeant, suffered from depression, insomnia, and memory loss. He also sustained lifelong injuries that hindered his mobility. Like many of the 43,000 veterans returning to civilian life, Maddeford had trouble keeping a job or a relationship and soon turned to drugs.
Enter A.J., a black labrador retriever and assistance animal, one of 700 specialized canines who serve veterans in this country. Service dogs perform a variety of tasks, from opening drawers and doors to barking for help. Since A.J. began assisting Maddeford with things like retrieving items and stress relief (licking his face) Maddeford has entered college, cut back on his medication, and now has a girlfriend.
"I owe it all to A.J," says Maddeford.
With increasing numbers of soldiers returning from Iraq and Afghanistan, suffering from PTSD or physical injuries, there aren't enough service dogs to go around. Each animal requires a tremendous amount of preparation and care. A.J.'s training took 16 months and cost around $20,000.
Others question if so much training is even necessary.
Although A.J. wasn't trained for dealing with emotional trauma, according to Christopher Maddeford, he's quite good at emotional support.
"Sometimes when I'm having a really bad night, he'll wake me up," says Maddeford. "I wake up and he's laying on me, and he's licking my face … and it snaps me out of it. He’s my best friend. He’s everything to me.”
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