Letters: Comfort dogs aid vets with PTSD
Re “Fake service dogs a problem,” March 3
As a veteran who served two combat tours, I wish I had been made aware of the recent state Senate hearing concerning service dogs. I would have gladly presented my long-haired chihuahua, who is in fact a service dog.
If the committee had taken the time to review the federal government’s current policies, it would have seen that comfort dogs are no longer classified as service animals. With some research, the committee would have seen that service dogs come in all stripes and flavors. When the government excluded certain dogs, it carved out an exemption for sufferers of post-traumatic stress disorder.
PTSD service dogs are not required to open doors or pick up dropped items, but they must respond to basic commands and be sociable with people and animals.
A PTSD veteran does not show obvious signs of combat trauma — but make no mistake, these veterans are suffering within.
Ronald Moya
La Verne
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