Animal Welfare Institute’s Post

In the journey of a client training alongside their service dog, progress lies not just in the physical steps, but in the deeper emotional strides taken. Each interaction, each moment of connection, is a step forward in rebuilding trust, rekindling hope, and rediscovering purpose. In the bond forged between a client and their service dog, there's an acknowledgment that progress isn't always linear. It's a dance of setbacks and breakthroughs, of moments of frustration and moments of profound connection. Yet, through it all, there's a commitment to moving forward, one step at a time, with the skills they've learned to shape and define the lives they now want to live. #veteransupport #veterans #firstresponders #servicedogs #healingjourneys

🇺🇸 Honoring Our Heroes This Memorial Day 🐾 As we gather to commemorate Memorial Day, let's take a moment to honor not only the brave men and women who have served our country but also the courageous service dogs who have stood alongside them. As you celebrate this important day, remember that large gatherings and celebrations can be overwhelming for our dogs. Here are a few tips to ensure they stay comfortable and safe during Memorial Day festivities: PROVIDE A QUIET SPACE: If you’re hosting or attending a busy event, make sure there’s a quiet, safe spot for your dog to retreat to if the festivities get too overwhelming. MONITOR FOOD AND TREATS: With barbecues and outdoor meals, be vigilant about what your dog might snatch up. Keep unhealthy or unsafe foods out of reach. KEEP THEM SECURE: If your celebration includes a lot of coming and going, make sure your dog can't slip out through an open door. Check that your yard is secure if they'll be spending time outside. FIREWORKS - if you are attending a fireworks celebration leave your dogs safelyat home. Let’s ensure this Memorial Day is enjoyable for everyone in the family, including our four-legged friends. Wishing everyone a peaceful and happy Memorial Day!  #MemorialDay #HonorOurHeroes #ServiceDogs #Veterans #JoyfulDog #VirginiaDogTrainer #DogTrainer #TimetoTrain

This weekend, The American Legion is hosting MCON, in partnership with Veteran Benefits Guide, in a continued saga of TAL saying one thing and doing the complete opposite (very DC of them). You see, The American Legion’s DC office has, continuously, for well over a year, touted their devotion to protecting #veterans from predatory actors. VBG, notoriously known as predatory company, has preyed upon veterans for their entire existence - shown by the mounting lawsuits they face across the nation. So, the partnership seems a bit bizarre. To explain this through another lens, let’s imagine I partnered with PETA or Vegan Outreach. That would be a wee bit peculiar, because my entire platform is dedicated to advocating for veterans and encouraging them to get outside - to hunt and fish. It might cause you to question my focus. You may start to ask yourself if, rather than prioritizing my personal beliefs, I’m willing to sacrifice my convictions for a dime. That’s kinda what it looks like when a #Veteran Service Organization says they’re against predatory claims companies and then signs a contract with them. Politicians play word games. Veteran Service Organizations should not. Take a stance, stand tall, don’t bend for a check, and don’t lie to your membership. _____ 📸: unrelated photo #va #veteranaffairs #betheone #toapplycriticalthinkingskills #veteransstrengtheningamerica #dontfeedthesharks #claimsharks

Discover the power of experiential learning — with horses. In partnership with The Equus Effect (TEE), we are offering immersive equine experiences designed to help participants build self-awareness, manage emotions, and develop healthier relationships. Click the link below for more details if you're a Guardian interested in this experience. FINESSE VS. FORCE | RESPONSE VS. REACTION | CAPACITY VS. CONTROL Horses are naturally sensitive to human emotions and intentions, making them incredible partners in this journey. Using ground-based horsemanship skills, we guide you through a hands-on experience to develop non-verbal communication skills, emotional agility, and tools to stay grounded in high-stress situations. Equine Experience Cohort #3 WHO: Guardians (active & retired) Active Military ᐧ Veterans ᐧ Reserves ᐧ National Guard ᐧ Law Enforcement ᐧ Fire & Rescue ᐧ Emergency Medical Services ᐧ Dispatchers ᐧ Corrections ᐧ Federal Agents WHEN: Friday Oct 25 & Saturday Oct 26 | 10 AM - 4 PM (6 hour sessions) #guardianrevival #theequuseffect #equineexperience #veterans #firstresponders #breakingstigmas https://lnkd.in/eR-cjAAc

🇺🇸 Honoring Our Heroes This Memorial Day 🐾 As we gather to commemorate Memorial Day, let's take a moment to honor not only the brave men and women who have served our country but also the courageous service dogs who have stood alongside them. As you celebrate this important day, remember that large gatherings and celebrations can be overwhelming for our dogs. Here are a few tips to ensure they stay comfortable and safe during Memorial Day festivities: PROVIDE A QUIET SPACE: If you’re hosting or attending a busy event, make sure there’s a quiet, safe spot for your dog to retreat to if the festivities get too overwhelming. MONITOR FOOD AND TREATS: With barbecues and outdoor meals, be vigilant about what your dog might snatch up. Keep unhealthy or unsafe foods out of reach. KEEP THEM SECURE: If your celebration includes a lot of coming and going, make sure your dog can't slip out through an open door. Check that your yard is secure if they'll be spending time outside. FIREWORKS - if you are attending a fireworks celebration leave your dogs safelyat home. Let’s ensure this Memorial Day is enjoyable for everyone in the family, including our four-legged friends. Wishing everyone a peaceful and happy Memorial Day!  #MemorialDay #HonorOurHeroes #ServiceDogs #Veterans #JoyfulDog #VirginiaDogTrainer #DogTrainer #TimetoTrain

The Challenges of Camp Lejeune Cases: Time Length, Client Comfort, and Criteria Changes Discover the complexities of handling Camp Lejeune cases, from the time length and client comfort to the ever-changing criteria. Learn why it's a long-term battle for justice and how to navigate the challenges. #CampLejeuneCases #LegalChallenges #ClientComfort #JusticeForVets #LegalCriteria #LegalProcess #LongTermBattles #VeteransRights #LegalAdvice #LegalSupport

Why are canines so suited to be service companions for #military & #veteran pros? Dogs thrive on COMMUNICATION, on COMMUNITY & on objectives-based CARE. Sound familiar? That was one of the things discussed at last night's kick-off meeting for our new campus-wide Warrior Canine Connection Club at the University of Maryland. A room full of nexgen motivation ready to serve allgen #veterans & families... it was a great sight to host at the University of Maryland - Robert H. Smith School of Business. What else did I learn? - Many dogs may be born to serve, but not all are born to be service dogs. For that special mission, they need to be both bred & trained with purpose. - Intelligence & demeanor are critical factors, but so too is health. Not unlike joining the #armedforces, these dogs need to be reliably fit & up-rounds from day-1. - Once screened, that's when the real tests begins. Again like the military, each dog spends up to 18 months in basic training with screening throughout. The best will promote to advanced training & then be assigned to serve where they're needed the most. - Finally, along the way, they may even see a transition! A dog with a great nose may become a Sent Tracker. One with great genes could have a tour as a Breeder. Others may be tagged for Facility service, or many may be selected as Ambassador Dogs. ... the commonalities abound! Thanks to Molly Elmore M.A. Education, PMP for a great presentation (+ some tasty pizza). Dogs + Vets + Students = Awesome! Initiative for Veteran Lifelong Leadership

#veteranshelpingveterans where would I start to find out more about the my husbands benefits for being in the service of the USCG

Independence Day is nearly here for us treasonous former British colonists. And, for those of us with dogs, it also means we need to keep our pooches safe from the crazy level of noise. Here are a few tips that might help your babies make it through just a little easier: https://lnkd.in/g9uXR-qE

This week, I address several topics that I have been discussing with other #grandparents and #parents. A few of the topics that I share my thoughts on include the importance of taking basic first aid and #CPR classes, spoiling #grandchildren, and the upcoming #VeteransDay holiday. You can also check out this episode on YouTube as well. #TheCoolGrandpaPodcast #Grandfathers #Grandchildren #Parents #BabyBoomers #GenX #Communications #Traditions https://lnkd.in/e3RnUNZs