Bill Campbell's Labrador Helps Cope With PTSD

Heading to Iraq

Campbell, 46, was a biologist for the state Department of Fish and Wildlife for 19 years. He served as an executive officer in the National Guard for nearly a decade.

When the war in Iraq broke out, Campbell volunteered to re-enlist. He said he wanted to be involved, even if that meant taking a cut in rank and pay and putting his life on the line.

May 9, 2008

Dog helps heal wounds of war: Veteran suffering from PTSD finds an anchor in canine companion

MASON COUNTY - Bill Campbell took a long pause as he searched for the right words to describe what happened to him in Iraq.

He looked over at his wife, Domenica, who often tackles questions for him, especially when he's struggling to think of the answers.

Then Campbell reached down and brushed his hands against Pax, a specially trained yellow Labrador, whose mission is to help the Army National Guard sergeant heal after serving on the front lines of war, where he witnessed death, destruction and despair.

"It was a car bomb - shrapnel," he said, his voice trailing off. "I was at a place that was just outside the Green Zone."

Pax stays close to Campbell around the clock. He reminds Campbell to take medication. He can sense the onset of panic attacks, hallucinations and other symptoms of the post-traumatic stress disorder that afflicts Campbell.

Pax even sleeps in the same room with Campbell and serves as "a reality check" during his frequent nightmares.

Campbell is the first veteran in the country to receive a companion dog through the Puppies Behind Bars' Dog Tags program. The New York City-based nonprofit organization works with inmates to train service dogs.

Although there are several programs that produce psychiatric service dogs, the Dog Tags program was established last year to raise companions specifically for U.S. servicemen and servicewomen injured in Iraq and Afghanistan.

"We wanted to do something to thank our vets for serving their country," said Gloria Gilbert Stoga, who founded Puppies Behind Bars in 1997.

What: Puppies Behind Bars' Dog Tags program was created to match service dogs with injured veterans who have served in Iraq or Afghanistan.

To qualify: A veteran or service member must be out of the hospital for at least eight months and be able to incorporate a dog into his or her life. After a dog is placed, the recipient is responsible for providing exercise, food, annual veterinarian visits, and love for the dog. "(It's for) somebody who's serious about getting better - somebody who's stable, so they're home life is stable enough to have a dog in it," said Gloria Gilbert Stoga, founder and president of Puppies Behind Bars.

Applying: Veterans are required to fill out an application and go through several interviews. In most cases, those selected will need to travel to New York or Colorado to be matched up with a dog and complete specialized training.

Costs: Puppies Behind Bars pays for all costs associated with raising puppies in prison - including dog supplies, educational supplies for puppy raisers, teachers' salaries and travel. The nonprofit organization, which is funded through private donations, pays for related training and travel expenses for a veteran and a support person if needed.

How to help: For more details about the Puppies Behind Bars and Dog Tags programs, including how to donate, go to www.puppiesbehindbars.com or call 212-680-9562.
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