War veterans find peace of mind with pets

[moonglow]

(CBS News) http://www.cbsnews.com/stories/2011/...UpperPromoArea

For too many veterans, the battles don't end when they come home from war. Combat stress has no easy cure. But one vet found peace was a lot closer than he thought and now he's helping others find it, too. CBS News correspondent Chip Reid has his story.

Dave Sharpe calls his pit bull Cheyenne his savior, and that's no exaggeration. When she was just a puppy, she saved his life

Sharpe served with the U.S. Air Force security forces in Saudi Arabia and Pakistan. After two near-death experiences, he returned home with severe post-traumatic stress disorder.

"Before I met her, I was a wreck," said Sharpe. "I was out of control, I would start fights for no reason."

Deeply depressed and filled with rage, he decided to end his misery with his pistol.

"[I] cocked it back, put it right in my mouth and I sat there and cried for about a minute or two," Sharpe recalled. "I was this close to pulling the trigger."

That's when Cheyenne, who was then six months old, came to his rescue.

"She came up behind me and she licked my ear, said Sharpe. "And she gave me this look of, 'What are you doing man, who's going to let me sleep in your bed? Listen, if you take care of me, I'll take care of you.'"

Sharpe realized at that moment he had something to live for. But he didn't stop there, as he decided that what saved him might save others like him

So he started Pets2Vets, now known as P2V, an organization that has put dozens injured veterans together with their own four-legged saviors -- dogs and cats. P2V makes sure it's a good match, provides training, even pays for the pet's health insurance.

The pets come from a shelter in Washington, D.C., so the rescuing goes both ways. Veterans get a desperately needed companion and some of these guys get a new lease on life.(read the rest at the link or just watch the video)

I thought it was a very touching story that saves two lives...the vets and homeless pets that might otherwise be put down....

God bless

[Jeanne D]

(CBS News) http://www.cbsnews.com/stories/2011/...UpperPromoArea

For too many veterans, the battles don't end when they come home from war. Combat stress has no easy cure. But one vet found peace was a lot closer than he thought and now he's helping others find it, too. CBS News correspondent Chip Reid has his story.

Dave Sharpe calls his pit bull Cheyenne his savior, and that's no exaggeration. When she was just a puppy, she saved his life

Sharpe served with the U.S. Air Force security forces in Saudi Arabia and Pakistan. After two near-death experiences, he returned home with severe post-traumatic stress disorder.

"Before I met her, I was a wreck," said Sharpe. "I was out of control, I would start fights for no reason."

Deeply depressed and filled with rage, he decided to end his misery with his pistol.

"[I] cocked it back, put it right in my mouth and I sat there and cried for about a minute or two," Sharpe recalled. "I was this close to pulling the trigger."

That's when Cheyenne, who was then six months old, came to his rescue.

"She came up behind me and she licked my ear, said Sharpe. "And she gave me this look of, 'What are you doing man, who's going to let me sleep in your bed? Listen, if you take care of me, I'll take care of you.'"

Sharpe realized at that moment he had something to live for. But he didn't stop there, as he decided that what saved him might save others like him

So he started Pets2Vets, now known as P2V, an organization that has put dozens injured veterans together with their own four-legged saviors -- dogs and cats. P2V makes sure it's a good match, provides training, even pays for the pet's health insurance.

The pets come from a shelter in Washington, D.C., so the rescuing goes both ways. Veterans get a desperately needed companion and some of these guys get a new lease on life.(read the rest at the link or just watch the video)

I thought it was a very touching story that saves two lives...the vets and homeless pets that might otherwise be put down....

God bless

This is a great idea. Pets are very therapeutic for all kinds of illnesses and disorders.

Jeanne

[Saved7]

Pets are a wonderful idea, my sister suffers from depression all her own and one day she got a dog and that thing lifted her spirits up and I saw a huge change in her. She still suffers, especially now that her dog is dead, but she's far better off than she was.
It makes me so sad to think of our vets killing themselves...or even just continuing to suffer mentally and emotionally when they should be able to be at peace and feel safe here at home. Every time I hear or read a story like this, I just want to go and hug on them and make them feel safe.
Too all our vets and those currently serving...

[moonglow]

Pets are a wonderful idea, my sister suffers from depression all her own and one day she got a dog and that thing lifted her spirits up and I saw a huge change in her. She still suffers, especially now that her dog is dead, but she's far better off than she was.
It makes me so sad to think of our vets killing themselves...or even just continuing to suffer mentally and emotionally when they should be able to be at peace and feel safe here at home. Every time I hear or read a story like this, I just want to go and hug on them and make them feel safe.
Too all our vets and those currently serving...

Yea me too. I am glad the cats and dogs are so healing for them. I hope this spreads across the country and all humane societies are involved and help their local vets. Not sure how they get these pets in Washington to those around the state. Seems like it would be simpler to use local ones. Unconditional love for sure. (unless you have one of my cats that only loves me if I give him want he wants...lol).

God bless

[Saved7]

Unconditional love for sure. (unless you have one of my cats that only loves me if I give him want he wants...lol).

God bless

Cats.....

[moonglow]

Cats.....

Yea Cats....

[Saved7]

Yea Cats....

I knew you'd understand.

[quiet dove]

This isn't about cats but animals though. I watched a show one time about, I think his name is Monte something, but he is a horse trainer and also works with troubled teens incorporating his skills with horses. He did a short show one time about 3 or 4 vets, all having real difficulty adjusting and coping with some of the terrible experiences they had regarding service. Tearing their lives apart and/or keeping them from being able to even have much of a 'normal' life after having served our country. I cried through some of it. Monte himself came from a rough background and can relate to not only the teens, but the hurt and pain suffered by so many.

It was really a good show on how the psychology in terms of horse training, and the vets working with the horses, helped them in sorting through the hurt inside.

[moonglow]

This isn't about cats but animals though. I watched a show one time about, I think his name is Monte something, but he is a horse trainer and also works with troubled teens incorporating his skills with horses. He did a short show one time about 3 or 4 vets, all having real difficulty adjusting and coping with some of the terrible experiences they had regarding service. Tearing their lives apart and/or keeping them from being able to even have much of a 'normal' life after having served our country. I cried through some of it. Monte himself came from a rough background and can relate to not only the teens, but the hurt and pain suffered by so many.

It was really a good show on how the psychology in terms of horse training, and the vets working with the horses, helped them in sorting through the hurt inside.

Wow that is great. I have heard of them using horses for all types of therapy with a wide range of people and children too. Its amazing how many people they help! Everything from this to helping children with cancer or Cerebral palsy(riding the horses helps their balance)...to helping abused children. Thanks for sharing this.

God bless