Puppies, Babies and Mounds Candy Bars

Two types of stories give me cause to pause—babies and dogs. I read a story today that touched my heart.

Animal therapy is a new form of treatment being used in Army installations, including Walter Reed National Military Medical Center and Fort Bragg. Military personnel are finding that therapy dogs help with post-traumatic stress disorder.

A German shepherd, Lexy is being used as a co-therapist. Other dogs routinely work as service animals and are often used for animal-assisted therapy, including visiting patients in the hospitals.

Lexy's move into therapy was unexpected. Her owner decided to put her new puppy through the training when she realized she was less of a guard dog and more of a calm cuddler. So, Lexy went through about 2 1/2 years of training before she was able to pin on her rank—lieutenant colonel—and become certified as Fort Bragg's only therapy dog. On her vest, Lexy sports an Army Ranger tab and a spray of other badges and patches that she was given by patients.

When I was buying snacks in the San Francisco Airport, the cashier asked if I would like to select and purchase one for military personnel. She told me that she marks it, puts in a box and sends it to the USO in the airport for distribution. Even though I couldn’t send a puppy, I certainly hope that a soldier will find a little bit of comfort in the Mounds bar that was bought just for them.

In Giving,

Robin