San Antonio, TX (Photo Credit: Bryce Harper, New York Times) – Dogs have had a long history in combat since ancients times. The Romans, Greeks, Persians, and Egyptians used dogs in war as sentries, trackers and scouts, and still to this day dogs are sent to combat zones like Afghanistan and Iraq.
Just as war has changed over the millennia, the dog’s role in combat has changed. Combat dogs in today’s world are exposed to loud noises from gunfire, bombs, heavy machinery, and other combat stresses.
We’re now learning that not only are our soldiers returning from Iraq and Afghanistan suffering from post-traumatic stress disorders, but our combat dog heroes are suffering the ill-effects of the stress of war as well.
From the NY Times –
“The four-legged, wet-nosed troops used to sniff out mines, track down enemy fighters and clear buildings are struggling with the mental strains of combat nearly as much as their human counterparts.
More than 5 percent of the roughly 650 military dogs deployed by American combat forces are coming down with what researchers call canine PTSD.”
Dogs will show symptoms of PTSD in many different ways, much the like soldiers who are battling the illness. Dogs suffering from combat stress will often show an aversion to loud noises, a fear of going to areas they once weren’t afraid of, they may become timid and clingy, and worse case they may display signs of aggression with people, other dogs and even their trainers.
The good news -
According to NPR’s All Things Considered — “Dogs who have served alongside U.S. military personnel in Iraq and Afghanistan now typically go on to live with their handlers in the civilian world after their service days are over.”
Typically in the past, dogs that served in war zones were euthanized after their return home. War dogs are now cared for and encouraged to heal from their psychological wounds though play and exercise, and though the companionship of their wartime handlers.
I’m glad to see a new level of compassion and concern has arisen for our four legged heroes of war. What do you think? Leave a comment below and share your opinion with us!
Here’s a video of the great dog trainer Cesar Millan working with a dog that is suffering from PTSD.
