A warrior’s best friend

When military members are deployed, they don’t always have the opportunity to have man’s best friend with them during hard times.

For wounded warriors at Landstuhl Regional Medical Center, the dogs that visit them through the Pets and Warriors Program means a ray of light during a dark time.

The PAW program is a Red Cross-run program training volunteer dogs to visit patients in military hospitals. For wounded warriors like Cpl. Caitlin Thompson, a reservist with the 450th Military Police Squadron at LRMC receiving treatment for injuries sustained while deployed to Kuwait, having a happy four-legged friend come visit lets them know they aren’t alone.

“It’s a fantastic program,” she said. “It’s a way to brighten up the day for a patient who might be recovering from a severe injury.”

Keeping high morale during a time of stress could potentially speed up the healing process by giving patients a taste of home. Being able to relax knowing a dog is there to give wounded warriors the love and support they need could put a smile on almost anyone’s face.

“When I saw Tank walk in the room, it reminded me of home,” Thompson said about the 2-year-old Labrador retriever. “It was great, because I’m not able to have my own dog here with me.”

Thompson said a 45-minute visit with Tank — just simple K-9 affection — was all she needed to feel happy.

“It was great to look over at the door and have a smile and a wagging tail greet you,” she said.

Providing the needed happiness to patients wouldn’t be possible if it weren’t for the people and their pets who volunteer their time.

For some, it’s a way of giving to people who are going through what they experienced in the past.

“I volunteered for the program, because I came through LRMC in 2011,” said Ray Hall, PAW program volunteer. “It is fun to have a chance to cheer patients up by bringing Tank by to see them.”

Although there are many prerequisites, getting your dog certified with the American Kennel Club Canine Good Citizenship program is important. If a member wishes to have multiple pets in the program, each pet must be certified and enrolled separately.

“The program is a great way to make wounded warriors who are injured comfortable while they are being treated,” Hall said.

For more information contact the LRMC American Red Cross Center at 486-7298 or 06371-86-7298.