Did you know that 25% of all returning veterans suffer from post-traumatic stress, with families and communities hanging in the balance? Even worse, approximately every hour of every day, one U.S. veteran commits suicide. (source)

If more veterans knew about the medical benefits that a service animal and emotional support animal can offer, perhaps this number would improve. Health care professionals and families of veterans need to help their patient or loved one research the possibility of having a service animal or emotional support animal to help alleviate the symptoms of PTSD and severe depression.

What many veterans don’t realize is that a veteran or loved one can train the service animal him or herself. It does not require expensive training or certification. A self-trained animal may qualify as the disabled owner’s service animal. And emotional support animals do not require training at all, simply a recommendation from a health professional.

We wish all veterans who suffer from PTSD and depression the best recovery possible, and if owning a service animal or emotional support animal can help speed that recovery, we hope this message inspired at least one veteran to research and discover the benefits that owning such an assistance animal can provide.