Robin R. Ganzert has a pandering puppies problem.
I have lost count of how many fakes, posers and embellishing clowns we have exposed that were/are training puppies as PTSD companions. Robin Ganzert’s bio reads like some kind of superhero for pet philanthropy. You really need to read it.
I have nothing against puppies. It’s their pimps that piss me off. All of her do-gooder nonsense and self-aggrandizing by pimping out pets for patriots just rubs me the wrong way. Reading “opinion” promulgated by her is like forcing myself to sit through a relaxing session of fingernails running down chalkboards. Here are a few bites from one of her recent plugs for pups:
Service dogs could be a solution to the veteran suicide crisis
“There’s long been anecdotal evidence that service dogs can help treat these mental health afflictions. Service dogs can be trained to perform countless tasks that mitigate these conditions, including retrieving medication, searching homes for perceived threats, grounding handlers during a stressful episode, aiding with memory-related tasks, and even turning on lights during a night terror.”
Unfortunately, waiting lists for veterans in need of service dogs are long. The process is time-consuming and expensive, costing as much as $30,000 per dog. With the VA refusing to endorse service dogs as a PTSD and TBI treatment — awaiting the results of its own in-depth study — funding is scarce.
The new Congress should reintroduce and support the Pups for Patriots Act, which would direct the VA to provide more service dogs, trained to national standards developed in part by American Humane, to veterans afflicted with PTSD and TBI.
In the meantime, nonprofit groups are doing what they can to fill the void. For instance, American Humane’s Pups4Patriots program finds dogs in need of homes and trains them to become service animals for military veterans struggling with the invisible wounds of war, potentially saving lives at both ends of the leash.
Ya, there are countless GoFundMe accounts raising money for PTSD puppies. No dog on the planet is worth $30,000. Getting federal funding for “anecdotal” therapy is nutz. I have just a few other points for Mrs. Ganzert … let veterans take care of veterans and pimp your puppies in some other way.
PTSD is real, it can be devastating for a select very few to deal with. It is grossly over-diagnosed and its impact on an individual over exaggerated by people who use its victims for their own twisted form of philanthropy.
Suicide rates among veterans have been morphed out of context so many times that civilians seem to think we are all on the verge of jumping off a roof…or worse. Pushing nonsense like the “22 a Day” quote just adds to the false impression that we are damaged victims of our service to this country.
There are a far greater number of people in this country that have a severe allergy to dogs than there are PTSD patients that need to prance around with their puppy in public. I watched a woman in her 80’s being hauled out of Lowes in an ambulance because she had a reaction that was caused from her getting a cart that just moments before had some idiots dog in it. I have no doubt that puppies make many people feel better. If its all about making veterans feel better then I think we should pander to the majority of veterans and pass a Strippers4Patriots program.
I have no idea if Robin Ganzert is qualified to head such a program. She certainly has that cheesy smile for it. Maybe “MILFS4Militarymen” would work. I could recommend several training facilities for her. Fayetteville and Jacksonville have a few outstanding training facilities for veteran feel good programs.
Dr. Robin Ganzert, president and CEO of the American Humane Association (R) and guest attend the Sixth Annual American Humane Association Hero Dog Awards at The Beverly Hilton Hotel on September 10, 2016 in Beverly Hills, California.
I have no idea who the Force Recon Colonel is in this picture. I would love to have a chat with him… I don’t know him.
She cares so much it hurts to look at her.
Category: "Teh Stoopid", "Your Tax Dollars At Work", Exploitation, General Whackos, Phony Vet Charities, Satire
I seriously doubt she knew what anecdotal meant. Just made her sound more intelligent.
She is supposedly a Doctor of something, that would imply education. Any third grade teacher can tell you to use words correctly, and look them up if you don’t know what they mean!
According to her Wikipedia bio she has Bachelor of Science (BS) and MBA from Wake Forest University, and a Philosophical Doctorate (Ph. D) from UNC-Greensboro, both highly rated schools.
and AOC has a degree in Economics from B.U.
30,000 dollars?
I am in the wrong business!
Yeah, I don’t know why they have so much overhead. The cost for a police K9 (tracking and bite) is about $10-12k, not counting the officer’s time.
I got a business idea.
Trump derangement syndrome dogs!
My company will be named “Dogs 4 Libs”, will train puppies to accompany and support libs as they survive 8 years of the Orange man.
How about training dogs to bite Libtards when they attack (physically or verbally) conservatives?
My dog bit a TARDO last week and had to lick his asshole for three hours straight to get the taste out of his mouth!
That would be cruelty to animals. Not cool.
Why does this make me think of the song “I Think My Dog’s A Democrat?”
https://youtu.be/H3VLqLLWxbQ
You know, the legal profession is plagued by high suicide rates –
https://www.law.com/americanlawyer/2018/11/12/as-attorney-suicides-mount-a-survivor-speaks-out/?slreturn=20190122153101
…so how about Canines for Counsellors? Labs for Lawyers? Mastiffs for Mouthpieces? Shih Tzus for Shysters?
Pomeranians for Posers
One of my dogs bit our very liberal neighbor. Poor dog had to lick his rear end for an hour to get the liberal’s taste out of its mouth.
Sorry- old joke….
How about this idea for your TDSD’s.
We teach them to piddle wherever they are when they hear the word “Trump” !!!
That’s gonna be a mess ~~~~
It’s always about either the money or the p*ssy. In this case the p*ssy is pimping puppies for money. I like puppies too. Can’t see spending 30 large to “train” one for feelz good purposes. Many local shelters will give you a real nice doggie or charge a very nominal fee for spaying/neutering/shots. In many cases the shelters now have sponsors that pay those fees. And the rescued dog knows it has been rescued and will be a very loyal loving critter.
Comfort strippers are a nice idea, but they won’t love you unconditionally like a rescued dog will. Once they relieve the swelling in your bank account, the stripper is gone.
If it helps … you can teach them to bark.
True dat, Dave, but even if they have had their shots, they can still go mad and get all foamy at the mouth.
And the rescue doggie is required by law to wear its shot record necklace all the time.
You talking about the dogs or the strippers there?
One wonders if IDC SARC would hit on Ms Ganzert’s sweater puppies?
For starters 🙂
Hey Sarc, i understand her nickname was “Lassie” in high school
Her resume says she was on the “Pork Network”
I heard she was the town bicycle. Everyone got a ride on it
https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=y4Jq3G069ow
I say let him HAVE AT IT!!! 😈😈
Hey, don’t forget to share with your friends???
Friends don’t let friends…
Real friends will make room even when she’s already air tight.
There’s a “Journal of Depression and Anxiety?”
That’s just sad.
You definitely have issues.
It’s all ads for meds with lots of coupons.
Judging from that glamour shot, unfortunately sans boa, she does seem to have a certain doggie style about her
That DOES scream “Glamour Shot” doesn’t it?
Put your hand…this way…
(Bonus points if you get the reference.)
Pekingese…
No dog on the planet is worth $30,000.
I would submit for your consideration that there are a shit ton of people who ain’t worth $3,000 never mind thirty and I’m strongly on team human.
I’ll bet the dogs suffer more from ptsd than the recipients.
File under “pimp the vet”
First off. Thanks Dave for saying that PTSD can be devastating. It strikes a balance with those who maybe or are faking I say maybe , bc I don’t know what goes on in other appointments and I want to say on a personal note to Dave for giving me some good advice via FB messenger a few years back about my issue with being over prescribed meds at VA. I went in and got them to adjust them to a manageable level. For that I’m truly grateful. I think sometimes vets with PTSD and other sc mental disorders get a bad rap esp from fellow veterans maybe they don’t see the work we put in in therapy / groups or the toll side effects from meds take on stuff like weight gain, bp etc. and I know that some here associate service dogs with fakers. And I know that. Is a real issue. But I just helped my best friend who is a retired special operations Soldier get a slot in a very reputable service dog school and I really hope it helps him. He , like myself has really put the work in as far as therapy. And I think a dog will augment his life. So I think folks shouldn’t let the fakers drive the narrative. My friend and I have been friends since we deployed and if any one deserves to have a good life it’s guys like him thanks
Next thing I know people will think I actually give a shit.
I swear people, its all bullshit.
S/F bro … we all do what we can when we can.
When I became terrified of all my guns, Dave was kind enough to take them off my hands. He’s a great guy! Much better than any boating accident!
Col Campbell is the bloke she’s with, former 2d Recon Bn/2D Force CO…among many other things.
Outstanding, thank you. I never cared for the “Dog and Pony show” duty.
Live life at the platoon level. 🙂
And that’s reason #2799 that I never cared to advance any further in rank. That’s where the fun is.
Word.
The answer to the trained puppy shortage for veterans is kittens. They are good companions, can crap in their kitty litter box, don’t eat as much and time petting a cat is not subtracted from one’s lifespan.
I love cats, I just can’t eat a whole one by myself.
Cats, the other white meat!
No shit, I do love my 7 cats and they are better for me than any drug! I always have at least one in my lap or laying on my desk! They are great service animals. Can I have a therapy pussy???
You’ve got SEVEN therapy pussies, and you want another one, Willy? Aren’t there any homeless strays around your house that show up looking for handouts like mine did?
Cats always know a “mark” when they see on. (Hey, he’s good for half a can of Friskie’s and a bowl full of kibble! And that’s only in the mornings.)
What VA study, VA depends on DVA for records which only looks at last DD-214 which is on top and only check to if served over 2 years and if less, if injured in service, and that is all they supply to VA hospitals. In my case I served only 4 years and no overseas in another’s case he served only 6 years. In his case he sat down with someone there and got things straightened out in files to show he retired from military with at least 20 years service. In my case I stupidly called and they found first DD-214 showing total of over 7 years in service as well as overseas service in SEA. Happened here starting on 28th of last month as I also asked VET Rep here to send for records. Course being slightly pissed I took ID to clinic here and told them pretty much to stick it. Was several phone calls and E-mails received here as to changing my records there and were sending my ID back and would get snail mail from VA hospital as to changes. Am still waiting and wondering as to how long it takes them to delete records out of computer and shred any paperwork pre 1969 and alter last DD-214 to only show 4 years, magic marker worked for me to get it correct mine so coincides with their records and files here are getting pitched as to all. VA study, big joke as is just a way for DVA and VA upper staff to put money in their pockets. And seeing as to I stupidly tried to register as to PTSD and AO am waiting for arrest here for fraud and stolen Valor. Yes Dave you tipped the shit pot here again, anger management again needed, oh heck is bottle whiskey to calm agitation, nope as to any other means as already tried twice in the 80’s and now is more fun waiting to see how folks get shit on more in life,
Dunno, Dave. I keep looking at the photo of Robin Ganzert and wondering how she would look in a training vest with a collar and leash…
I’ve been diagnosed with PTSD, dealt with it and depression and having done so, I’d like to see just how much money she harvests versus the number of Dogs she “trains” and provides to Vets! As to pets, I’ve had Dogs and Cats that I adopted from the pound and I loved every one of them!
The “Veteran” scam is only half of it, the other half is the whole “service dog fraud” that is rampant across the country.
You can literally buy a “service dog” vest on Amazon and slap it on your puppy and then dare the proprietor of any business to deny you entry. Most hourly employees don’t know the difference between a true “service animal” and an “emotional support animal” (and don’t even get me started on that steaming pile of BS…)
People have been using those to bring their ill mannered pets into places where they are otherwise forbidden for way too long.
Given the extensive (and well documented) abuse of the whole “service dog” program, it is probably regrettably necessary for state governments to get involved in certifying such animals. Issue the owners a photo id and a clear statement of what “service” the dog performs.
No card? Poochie stays outside. I don’t care if he prevents you from committing suicide by humping your leg when you start spinning the cylinder of that revolver, he’s either a SERVICE dog, trained to do a SERVICE, or he’s a PET. PERIOD.
The two biggest scams in the US currently: “Emotional Support” animals and “fund raising to RAISE AWARENESS.” WTF does “raise awareness” even mean?
“I’m doing a charity motorcycle ride to RAISE AWARENESS” of Veterans issues!”
So, basically, I want you to pay me money to take a road trip, and while I’m on that road trip, I promise to tell people “hey, veterans are a thing!”
“Wow! You really raised my awareness! I had no idea that there were such things as Veterans, but now I do! Thanks!”
You’re a veteran, aren’t you?
You could sell popcorn by the microwave envelope and say it was to support veterans.
Supposedly on this date in history, 1630, English Colonists in the future Taxahussests Bay Colony, first sampled popcorn brought to them by Native American Quadequina.
The article did not say if said popcorn was microwaveable or if Quadequina contributed 1/1024th of Elizabeth “Lieawatha” Warren’s progeny.
Don’t laugh now, but Girl Scout cookies are on sale.
$5 a fucking box? GTFO!
What Martinjmpr said. My sentiments exactly
Anybody know anything about “Mutts withamission”? They have been flooding my mailbox with stuff. I do donate to Soldiers Angels, PVA, DAV, and Toys for Tots, but there seems to be a lot of bullshit out there. Just want my money to help vets and not scammers.
I got my ass on the ‘Don’t Send Me Junk Mail’ list several years ago. I get almost no mail from charities. I refuse to spend money so some jerk in a $3K suit can buy a larger rosewood desk for his office. And, frankly, I can’t tell the crooks from the honest ones. I use those web sites that show % used for fundraising, administration, etc., and I still think most of them are crooks. I give to St. Jude Children, Miles of Smiles, Sinise, Local Pound, my church and a few others. The money given to the charities for starving children could probably feed every kid five times over. A lot of that money is skimmed off for bullshit. Don’t misunderstand. I feel for these people, I really do. Bottom line is I don’t trust the majority of these charities to do what they say they will do.
Speaking of mutts … We have had many, all from the pound. Used to foster former greyhounds from the track prior to their being sent up North. We had to stop b/c I kept most of them. I loved them too much to give them up. So we stopped that. I have a cat, too. I never liked cats until I got this one. He’s an asshole but he’s my asshole. I love my cat. His name is Kitty. Pretty imaginative, huh?
Here’s a bio on Col. Scott Campbell, USMC from the American Humane website.
https://www.americanhumane.org/press-release/usmc-colonel-scott-campbell-elected-to-american-humane-association-board/
Discouraging when a Marine can not find better things to do with his retirement than pimp out his career.
His Birdness should look into supporting a program that hold the fakes and frauds accountable.
Disturbing.
Most animal shelters would be happy to find homes for their dogs. NO dog is unadoptable. Training makes a “bad” dog into a better dog, and reinforces the pack mentality that dogs own. You’re the pack leader, you’re the trainer, the dog looks to you for direction.
It is ridiculous to charge $30K for something that an individual can take on and do himself. Teaching a dog to “go get it” is simple. Once the dog is listening to you in basic obedience, the other things build on that. There are plenty of places that have obedience classes for dog owners – the kind that prep dog and owner for obedience trials – and there is absolutely no reason a vet and his/her/its dog can’t fit into that. And the classes do NOT cost $30 grand.
Dogs love to work. It takes about 5 minutes each for a dog to learn heel, sit, down, and stay. You want the pooch to learn to turn the lights on and off? That’s a simple thing. A real trainer will show you how to start, work with you on completing that part of training, and even get you into schutzhund trials if you want to go that direction.
This PTSD + service dog stuff is being grossly over-promoted by people who smell money in it. It is shameful. But then, so is having a handicapped hanger on your car mirror when you aren’t, and I’ve seen those in parking lots here and there.
I have yet to figure out how to get either of my two fat, lazy cats to get things off the high shelves for me, or pick up their toys, or do anything besides stuff themselves with food and take naps. But cats own you and dogs simply want to be on the sofa with you while you watch TV or read.
It’s easier to train guys to lift the commode seat and NOT hide their laundry.
Dogs love to work? You don’t know any dachshunds, do you? They’re renowned for their ability to stare at you with a “the fuck you want?” face when given a command.
Fiddlesticks! I’ve known doxy owners who took their doxies hunting for rabbits. The wiener dogs loved it. I’d hang out on the couch, too, if someone offered me free popcorn and a pillow I can snuggle up to. 🙂
I wonder what the PhD is in…?
Higher Education Finance
Undergrad and Masters Business and accounting and Business administration respectively.
Not a bad combo.
Credit should be given where it is due, regardless of opinion.
M-O-N-E-Y!
Call me. Here’s what happens…
“Hi. This is Bill.”
“What do you want?”
“Good evening, sir. How are…”
“Why are you calling me?”
“I’m calling on behalf of….”
“Click.”
Nomorobo works but give-me-your-money orgs are exempt from blocking. I wouldn’t mind so much if an actual fireman, police officer, or Veteran called, but none ever does. Instead, it’s the company that takes most of the donations that calls. I think I may have made a few of THEIR co not call lists.
Jonn Lilyea had great telephone demeanor.
There was a conversation posted between him and a guy threating to come for him.
In a calm dry voice Jonn suggested the guy bring a lunch because he would be there a while.
The other night:
Me: Hello
Telepest: Hello, is this Mr. Proud Infidel®™️? I’m calling on behalf of the-
Me: Greetings and thank you for calling the Astral Temple of the Great Flying Spaghetti Monster, would you like to make a donation today?
Telepest- Uhm, sorry, – *CLICK*
I’ve made MANY a Telepest cuss with that prank!
How to create a personal throwaway:
Have a cheap land line installed.
After a few days ask for a number change because whatever.
Lock down the the new number with non published and line blocking.
The old number is now a throwaway and will not be re issued because it is also the last part of your account number.
It will forever answer “not in service”
Put the new one on the do not call list and add a cheap answering machine with the greeting that came with it.
Disable the ringer if you have ptsd but let the dog get used to the greeting and handle the calls.
I’m not sure where all the ire is coming from. American Humane is a legit charity with an A-rating or the equivalent by Charity Watch, Charity navigator, Charity Review, and every other watchdog I checked out A-Rated charity. 90% of their donations go to the actual programs they support, which is pretty good when it comes to charities, especially veterans charities (go look up some of the more popular). If you don’t want to donate, don’t- capitalism at it’s finest. Robin Ganzert’s degrees are in fiduciary/financial management, by the way. This is just one of their programs- they also provide support to military K-9 teams, reunite retired dogs with their handlers, and get therapy dogs to veterans and their families. She is using the term ‘anecdotal’ correctly. Her point is that in addition to the anecdotal new studies (she cites two) are beginning to support the idea that service animals can help veterans with PTSD and TBI as well. No offense to PH, but I think there is a world of difference between what the typical household pet does in a domestic setting and what a professionally trained service dog is asked to do, so it takes a professional trainer to get them there. Most of the sources I looked at say this can take 6 months to two years of training 2 hours a day, and costs about $25,000 depending on what you are asking for (this is per the AKC website, but others were in that ball park) https://www.akc.org/expert-advice/training/service-dog-training-101/. My guess is that Dr Ganzert cited the high end of the spectrum for effect- I found an organization (SDA) that offers dogs for $20,000 Is that outrageous? If you figure it takes a year, $20,000 works out to less than $40 an hour of training, not accounting for kenneling and medical costs. That said, I would imagine that the training level varies according to the veteran’s issues- maybe therapy dogs are appropriate for PTSD while TBI requires a true service dog. As far as “Service Dog Stolen Valor”, that is an entirely different issue. Someone trying to pass… Read more »
I will help you with where my ire comes from. When an organization like hers and her ilk get serious about the fakes and frauds that use dogs and veterans to scam money from people I will be more likely to consider them an A-Rated charity. “Service Dog Stolen Valor” is the issue. Try this: https://www.servicedogregistration.org/product/ultimate-service-dog-vip-kit-new/?gclid=Cj0KCQiA2L7jBRCBARIsAPeAsaNw5fhFo2f0b2uWfPeNYKaMSA-4W6Wu4H6_mAlh2bBx_CLqraj9zRYaAl1DEALw_wcB There are countless scams going on with dogs and veterans being used. They always seem to bring up the PTSD and cast a tone of veterans being victims of their service. We have been one of the few voices that were speaking out against the nonsense that organizations like Wounded Warriors were pulling. I don’t expect the world to provide an allergen-free environment, I expect people to respect the fact that other people are harmed by their prancing around in public with their pooch. Not everyone thinks their dog is cute and I do not have enough time and resources to file a FOIA on every clown with a PTSD dog in public. Of those that I have filed on, I can count the legit combat service I verified on one hand and have fingers left. Most of these people are full of shit and they will not go away until there is some kind of verification process in place. When that happens you will be more likely to run across an albino guy in the roofing business while at Lowes than a Combat Veteran that needs a puppy. A few bucks and any mongrel mutt gets a “PTSD” service vest. My opinion and position is that there are more scams than legit operators in the Doggie Training world these days and it is driven by people who are gullible and well-intentioned pissing money away on them. One article or opinion piece by the Princess of Pooch or His Birdness that actively does something about the thousands of dogs being victimized by scamming dog pimps would be nice. One article? If they really cared about the dogs they would be outraged and do something about it. It seems to me she is more interested… Read more »
Shame on me, Dave, but I’m having a hard time working up outrage over the 80-year-old lady and her allergy issue. Lowes has a dog-friendly store policy which applies not just to service animals but to mutts on leashes in general. My own dog practically has a fan club at the local store among the employees. The store also provides a dispenser of disinfectant wipes right next to where they park the shopping carts.
I’d also venture that somebody’s toddler with the flu is probably more of a potential health hazard than a typical dog.
My dog goes into places where she is welcome, and stays out of those places where she is not. Dogs able to socialize with other dogs or people at the feed store, or the lumber yard, or the oil change place also tend to end up being better dogs. Still, I’ll agree there are tedious people around who think putting a service vest on an animal is a free pass to go anywhere including into restaurants and grocery stores.
This issue seems to have gotten much more complicated than it needs to be, but to improve things might require that rare quality known as simple common sense.
Whiskey for my men, beer for my horses…
No need for outrage, its the people putting a service vest on their pooch as an excuse to bring the thing anywhere they want. Those people depend on the good nature of most people to get away with their shit. I just aint all that nice.
I had dogs most of my adult life. Cried when they died. I left them in the truck and if it was too hot I left them at home.
Please don’t start a GoFundMe account to pay for your dog to be trained.
S/F
Legit point about the scams, but that is the fault of those veterans, not the legit
Charities trying to help them.
Correction- it’s the fault of the scammer
I think one way to stem scammers getting charity help would be a more comprehensive vetting process. To me it wouldn’t be that hard to verify that someone was in theater and is sc for a particular mental / physical issue there are some great ones out there who do this and others who imho are too busy trying to earn a buck so they don’t really vett
“Household pets”? Tell any K-9 cop that his partner is a household pet. Go ahead. I dare you.
You have a serious misunderstanding of what “service dogs” do or don’t do. Any dog that is trained properly by its handler or owner can do every single thing that ANY service dog can do, period and it does NOT cost $30grand!!
I have no idea where you get your information about dog training, but in the REAL world, it starts with the handler/owner and dog at the beginning of training. Since they are partners, they train together. They also frequently live together, with the cop’s family.
Uh, not so much.
First, I was making a distinction between household pets and working dogs. Re-read mynpost.
But…
In the real world, service dogs and working dogs are the product of a great deal of specialized training. Some do explosives, some dondrugs, some do security. Same with MWDs. You seem to know a lot about dog training- have you ever trained a drug dog, an explosives dog, or a tracking dog? Not for animals, for bad guys.
I get this information from a long association with Workong dog handlers and actually developing policy for how the servixes trains them.
Police K9s are highly specialized, and there are different specialties. Most cops do not do the training themselves, they are paired with a trained dog, at which point they begin their team training.
Of course some live with the officers at home, but that is not the extent of their training and they are not household pets.
Gee, I didn’t know this was going to be a contest of some kind. Have I trained bomb dogs or drug dogs? No, of course not. I said ‘start with obedience training’. Read what I said. The majority of these so-called “service dogs” are exactly what Dave Hardin says: dogs wearing “look at me” vests so they’re “special”.
Yes, I’ve trained dogs for obedience and field (hunting) trials and I’ve also trained horses for competition. I don’t have to blow a balloon and post my resume on it, nor do I have to train war dogs.
The point I was making is that the majority of this is, as Dave Hardin has clearly pointed out, a scam foisted on the public by people who want to get attention to make themselves feel “special”. I have yet to see a service dog at Walmart getting stuff off the bottom or high shelves for anyone.
When you have to take your pet raccoon in a sweater to a restaurant, it is to get attention and nothing else. That is my point.
There is a huge distinction between a service dog and a pet (well trained or not) that someone has dressed in a vest to get attention. People that do that are scammers, plain and simple- and it is the person at fault, not the dog. However, the fact that American Humane and a number of companies like them trains service dogs is not a scam. There is growing scientific evidence that dogs can help improve the lives of people with PTSD and it is obvious that a service dog can help someone with TBI that may lack mobility, coordination, or awareness to their surroundings due to their injury. As far as comparisons, service dogs are trained to a level far beyond obedience and hunting. Like police K-9s, Military Working Dogs (we have a few different flavors), Service Dogs (seeing eye dogs, medical assistance dogs, etc.), are expensive to train and therefore the companies that train them have fairly strict guidelines regarding who gets one of their dogs. American Humane is, first and foremost, concerned with the humane treatment of their dogs. Out of curiosity, I looked at 3 different dog training companies, and all three required a DD214 and documentation of a PTSD diagnosis. On top of that, since the VA does not currently pay for these dogs, the potential client has to come up with the cash to pay for it. Does this stop someone from putting a vest on their dog to get attention? No, of course not. People will find a way, just like they do with medals and uniforms they haven’t earned. Should there be a law governing the wear of these vests? Sure. Start a petition and I’ll sign it. That does not diminish the fact that there is plenty of scientific evidence that dogs can help people deal with PTSD and TBIs, and these companies are providing a valuable service. I have a buddy who had a therapy dog, and it worked wonders for him. I work with a lady with a medical assistance dog- she is diabetic and has seizures, and the dog… Read more »
Ol’ Poe’s inclined to side with the Devil on this one: the reddevil, that is. American Humane, much to my surprise, has no affiliation with the more widely known Humane Society, with its constant (and suspect) television pleas for money. In fact I was unfamiliar with American Humane and was surprised to discover it’s 75 years older than the television supplicants. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/American_Humane Red says AH has high marks from the charity watchdogs and I believe him. His intel is always good although he and I don’t always agree on the conclusions to be drawn. I think TAH may want to consider cutting Ms. Ganzert and her organization some slack rather than lump them in with all the suspect pooch-providers trying to get a suck at the teat. I say this because I know full well how difficult it can be for a legitimate charity to fund-raise in a poisoned environment. Back when my Big Pharma military sales department was eliminated by corporate downsizing, a marketing job with a United Way agency hospice was my lifeline. Fundraising was part of my job description. Unfortunately for me, shortly after I took over the position and was enjoying substantial success, the United Way CEO salary scandal hit. Even though our local agency had absolutely nothing to do with the goings on in Washington, more than a thousand miles away, we were immediately tarred with that brush. Needless to say, it made things very difficult both in the fundraising and marketing areas and it was some time before we got past it. I also think Red is likely on-target with his figures regarding dog training costs for the kinds of canines Ms. Ganzert is promoting. While it’s comforting to think that your old mutts can do anything those showboats can do, the reality is that they can’t, at least not without hundreds, even thousands, of hours of intensive, repetitive training. So let’s consider cutting American Humane some slack–perhaps even renewing the offer to chase down the bad actors if they will make the referrals. The reason they may not have responded to previous offers… Read more »
Old Softie,
There are not that many veterans with legit PTSD and that want a puppie in the first place.
The problem is people like her using them for fundraising purposes.
Trump likes veterans lets get him to make the VA fund puppies.
The training for the PTSD dogs and their use is extremely subjective.
1 in 6 veterans do not suffer from PTSD, that is complete and utter nonsense.
I know there are a very small number of people that actually have PTSD and find that a trained dog does help them. Ok, so lets leave those few hundred people in the world alone. No problem.
She is using Veterans and PTSD as a attention getting device to find more funding…that is what professional fundraisers do.
Cut them slack if you like, they can both kiss my ass.
Love you long time.
With this rare endorsement I will call it a night…
Have a great night, it is indeed a rare endorsement from a well respected TAH contributor.
Just goes to show even PT can be wrong!
Best Regards
Still juxtaposing conflicting sentiments, huh, Dave?
Heh…
Seems like a lot of folks getting pissed at service dogs because of a few idiots… sort of like tarring all vets as BS artists because of Bernath et al. (Think the American Humane Society, a good group, is being mixed up with the anti-gun scam artists Humane Society of the US…..AHS vs. HSUS.)
I think it’s convenient that the blue dress she’s wearing has a zipper in the front for easy access….
For the picture of her and Mr. Nameless Col. my guess would be a 36 D D. Betcha she could nurse a litter of at least four of us at one time. Much better that she does not have testicles to lick. Even Lars wold find that unappetizing.
That sad pity seeking picture which resembles Sally Fields just breaks my heart. But after reading her bio, I wonder if all of this is somehow due to the fact that she simply likes it Doggy Style? The picture of her and that bewildered-looking full bird, referred to only as her “GUEST” pretty much tells the story….”Ain’t no room in this life story for recognition beyond the Shameless Self-Promoter who seeks the white hot spotlight.” Surely Mr. Nameless has not learned how to bark and end up in the pimp’s stable. As for the woman in her 80’s being hauled out of Lowes, you don’t suppose she was pushing her cart when finally she noticed a big steaming pile of doggie BM right in the little fold down area of her cart? Now there’s a good diagnosis for PTSD (Puppy Turd Sphincter Dilation) if ever known. Maybe she can get a 50% rating from Lowes after such a terrible tragedy.
Only thing missing from this story is the likelihood
of failure to report a degree in Hustling from the University of Phoenix. That and a Puppy Pimp degree from the same university is truly the key to recognition and wealth.
No mention of a husband, and this woman definitely makes me hot! Trouble is I’m hung like a chihuahua.
Guess that leaves me out of Top Dog contention. Just have to read and glaze over the pictures in Dogboy.
“About 1 veteran in 6 suffers from PTSD. According to research in the journal Depression and Anxiety, 28 percent of those who reported a past traumatic event had attempted suicide.”
Google says there are 20.4 million veterans. Do 3.4 million suffer from PTSD? Have 5.7 million who have suffered a traumatic event attempted suicide?
I’m not minimizing the seriousness of either of these, but I’m not convinced of those numbers. I genuinely pray they are both much lower.
Best I can recall is statements claiming only 10% of all RVN veterans actually served in combat. So how has that figure increased to a now 16.5% ? The group I attend with once monthly meets and pretty much discusses what we want, without interruption by the attending shrink. Yep, just about all of us at one time or another (including pre-RVN time) have considered ending it all.
One of our members once discussed very lightly with a different shrink the thought of doing some harm to some guy who had wronged him. Big mistake! She called the Sheriff’s office, city police and VA IMMEDIATELY to report a dangerous veteran on hand. Last time for anything like that. From then on the standard answer to the obvious question was, “Nope, I have NEVER thought of it or even simply doing harm to another person.” Live and learn, some of those VA shrinks are way overboard in their assessment of one’s mental state.
Well, at the risk of sounding like IDC Sarc, she can pander my puppy anytime she wants !!!