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How Veterans Benefit From a Calming Relationship with Service Animals
Post-traumatic stress disorder: we all know what it means, but do we understand the impact of PTSD on the daily lives of those who suffer from it? Probably not–how on earth could anyone comprehend the experience of a military veteran in a war-torn area without having a shared or even similar experience?
According to the American Psychiatric Association, PTSD is clinically defined as “a psychiatric disorder that may occur in people who have experienced or witnessed a traumatic event such as a natural disaster, a serious accident, a terrorist act, war/combat or rape, or who have been threatened with death, sexual violence or serious injury.”
Although anyone can experience PTSD, for our purposes here, we will look at it from the perspective of a local military veteran.
But there is hope for sufferers. While it is unlikely a PTSD patient would ever fully “recover” from their trauma, they can—and do—live with their symptoms daily. This manageability is made possible through different therapies and even anti-anxiety medication when deemed necessary, but perhaps the sweetest comfort comes from the furriest among us.
Under South Carolina law, “service animal” means an animal is trained for the purposes of assisting or accommodating the mental or physical disability of a disabled person.
At our initial meeting, Sadie was excited and exuberant. A few minutes later, the vest and leash were attached, and her entire demeanor shifted to a more serious working mode. Her pace slowed, her gait adjusted, and her full attention was on Beahm. And although the Americans with Disabilities Act does not require service animals to wear a vest, tag or any specific harness, and Beahm personally prefers to not call attention to it, he recognizes that these identifying accessories encourage others to not disturb service animals while they are working.
Beahm is a former Acting Platoon Sergeant who incurred a traumatic amputation in Vietnam, and while surgeons were able to reattach the limb, it is non-functioning. For the last several years, he has worn a knee-to-ankle brace with computer elements to help monitor and improve his gait, but Sadie is also present for physical support if it’s needed. Her primary job, though, is to see him through the bouts of PTSD that can be triggered all-too-often by everyday things like news reports of violence which, according to him, are ever-present and can be overwhelming. Service animals like Sadie become adept at detecting physical anxiety and distress and can interrupt the process before it becomes a full-blown attack. “She’s a Godsend, truly,” said Beahm.
Jake Nold, Director of Philanthropy with Operation Patriots FOB, offered suggestions for family members of PTSD patients, stating, “A service dog is not the end-all be-all when it comes to PTSD. In the absence of a service dog, the companionship of a well-trained dog at home can be of great benefit to some. Working with organizations such as OPFOB and getting outside to enjoy the naturally therapeutic benefits of the outdoors is highly recommended. The key thing for families to understand is that some things will simply never be the same for their family members who suffer from PTSD, but there is no need to enable negative coping behaviors. Empower the individual to learn to live life to the best of their ability and reach out to organizations and people willing to help them do so.”
While Sadie was acquired and trained privately and continues her training daily through real-life experiences, there are other resources and organizations that support veterans in their pursuit of service animals. For more information, contact the VA or your health care provider, or visit petsforvets.com and servicedogs4vets.org.
Charleston Animal Society is Leading the Way For a No Kill State
The town of Mount Pleasant and the Charleston Animal Society have a long-standing relationship of saving animals together. This teamwork is continuing to flourish as the Society introduces a new initiative to the state. At its 147th annual meeting, Charleston Animal Society announced that the Palmetto State can become a No Kill State by 2024. The initiative is funded through a grant from Petco Love, formerly Petco Foundation.
The Society’s statewide initiative, “No Kill South Carolina,” now has a timeline. “No Kill South Carolina 2024” aligns with Charleston Animal Society’s 150th anniversary. Charleston Animal Society rescues over 90% of animals in Charleston County.
“No Kill” is a term used in animal welfare circles that refers to the goal of saving “all healthy and treatable dogs and cats,” typically about 90%. No Kill communities do not euthanize animals for space and use data-driven and research-based strategies to bring euthanasia rates down and improve the quality of care for animals.
AN INITIATIVE THAT’S WORKING
Since No Kill South Carolina began six years ago, animal shelters across the state have saved more than 500,000 animal lives with 30,000 fewer animals euthanized—something unheard of in the South, a region historically plagued with high euthanasia rates.
“Our efforts with No Kill South Carolina over the past six years have made tremendous gains in the fight to save animals in every corner of the state,” said Charleston Animal Society President and CEO Joe Elmore. “The trending shows that we can make this groundbreaking initiative a reality by 2024, but the last couple of years, like many things, will be the most challenging.”
THE DATA
No Kill South Carolina began after Charleston Animal Society led Charleston County to become the first No Kill Community in the Southeast. The No Kill South Carolina team found 19% of dogs and 47% of cats were euthanized in shelters across the state. Six years later, through effective collaborations, innovative adoption strategies and other leading practices among shelters around the state, the euthanasia rate of dogs has dropped more than half—to 8%—and the euthanasia rate for cats is down to 18%.
“The progress is amazing, but we still have substantial work to do, especially in saving more felines from euthanasia,” said Chief Project Officer Abigail Appleton.
THE PETCO LOVE CHALLENGE
Petco Love has been funding the efforts of No Kill South Carolina since its beginning. Now, with the goal in sight, the foundation is hosting a challenge with a million-dollar reward. “If the organizations in South Carolina work together and achieve the goal of No Kill South Carolina by 2024, Petco Love will invest $1 million in the lifesaving work of organizations across South Carolina,” said Petco Love President Susanne Kogut. “These funds can be used to sustain No Kill South Carolina.”
HOW YOU CAN GET INVOLVED
The No Kill South Carolina 2024 challenge is a great way for everyone to get involved in this statewide effort. “Go to your local shelter and let them know you’d like to help. You can adopt, volunteer or donate and help us all reach this tremendous achievement,” Appleton said.
You Can’t Spell Leadership without LADIES
It is no secret that there is a huge homeless animal population in the Lowcountry. There are five animal shelters and 31 private rescue groups just in the tri-county area, with new smaller groups emerging all the time, according to NoKill South Carolina in May 2021. Many are foster-based, and the efforts of all our shelters and rescue groups are tireless undertakings. While men do, of course, participate in many ways, including leadership, volunteer and staff roles, through this article, we will hear from several of the strong, compassionate women behind our area shelters and rescues, serving in leadership roles.
- Berkeley Animal Center: Heather McDowell, Director
- Carolina Coonhound Rescue: Kelly Postell, Founder and Director
- Charleston Animal Society: Laurel Greer, Chairwoman of the Board
- Dorchester Paws: Maddie Moore, Co-Executive Director
- Hallie Hill Animal Sanctuary: Jennifer Middleton, Executive Director
- Libby & Mace’s Place Rescue: Laura Phillips, Founder and President
- Pet Helpers Adoption Center & Spay Neuter Clinic: Carol Linville, Founder and President
I have had the privilege of working with each of these groups on some level in recent years through my volunteering. These ladies give so much of themselves, sacrificing their own schedules, participating financially, giving up valuable sleep and vacation opportunities – 
all to continue to help the innocent animals in our area. To say they are softhearted animal lovers does not properly describe their commitment. These women are involved in the weeds, from shelter visits and transports to medical and end-of-life decisions; from planning and working events to fundraisers for their groups. “Animal rescue is like emptying the ocean with a spoon” – this phrase rings particularly true in the Lowcountry.
When asked about their personal histories, most of the respondents reflected back to finding and caring for strays in their neighborhoods as children and carrying this calling into their adult lives. Their work and other professional experience are of varying backgrounds, including service with military working dogs, working as groomers or vet techs and even teaching. What they share in common, however, is a lifelong connection to animals.
On the subject of adoption, Jennifer Middleton, executive director at Hallie Hill Animal Sanctuary remarked, “The number one cause of death for dogs and cats in the United States is not cancer or heartworm infection, but homelessness. I can’t imagine suffering death for not having a home. If you are willing to open your home to a pet, check out a local shelter because many wonderful animals enter the doors daily through no fault of their own. You would not only be giving a better life to the animal you take home, but you would open a space at the shelter for another animal who needs it.” Laurel Greer, chairwoman of the Board of Charleston Animal Society, added, “I understand people wanting a specific breed, but I ask them to consider adopting from an animal shelter to save a life. If that doesn’t work, I suggest that they at least adopt from a breed-specific rescue group. We are killing too many adoptable animals in this state. “
Maddie Moore, co-executive director of Dorchester Paws, went on to say, “Getting a new pet is a lifelong commitment, and everyone should do their research before starting on the journey. The best part of adopting, besides the lifesaving, is the cost savings. You are 
getting a fully vaccinated and spayed/neutered animal for a fraction of the cost of the resources that went into that animal to make it ready for a forever family. “
I wanted to know how these leaders felt about fostering and the common perception that it’s too hard to let the animals go, causing many people to shy away from fostering. Heather McDowell, director of Berkeley Animal Center, shared, “I don’t know where we would be without the help of our foster parents. They have so much love to give and feel fulfilled just knowing that they got to be part of an animal’s journey to a loving home. Debbie Allen, our shelter manager, is amazing at encouraging people to foster. She is passionate and knows how to effectively communicate with others the importance of fostering. Since she has become manager, our number of animals being fostered has more than quadrupled — and she fosters, too.”
As a foster-based rescue group, Carolina Coonhound Rescue relies heavily on fostering to successfully continue its mission, and Kelly Postell, founder and director, added her thoughts. “You won’t fall in love with every one of your fosters, believe me. Most rescues work extremely hard to match you with a good fit, but sometimes it doesn’t work out. Try to volunteer with a group that supports foster families and can swap animals if needed. It’s better to cry a little when they leave and see an animal happy in their forever homes than to think of them being euthanized because a shelter didn’t have a place for them to go.”
Pet Helpers’ Founder and President Carol Linville offered further reassurance, stating, “Any reputable shelter or rescue will give you all the info and tools you need to care for the animal you are helping. Fostering can be for days, a week, a month or more, which gives you the chance to train and teach good behaviors, helping to ensure a successful lifetime adoption. With a good shelter or rescue to guide you, you will find fostering is the most rewarding thing you can do.”
While all the ladies shared at least one memorable story with me, Laura Phillips, founder and president of Libby and Mace’s Place Animal Rescue, recounted a recent situation. “Hoarding cases involve so many aspects – and it’s a complex psychological issue as well, and not something that some people can help. I helped a lady recently who had gotten in way over her head. Before she knew it, she was overwhelmed and thankfully reached out for help. A few groups got together and pulled over 40 dogs from her house, and they have been doing amazingly well in their foster homes. Showing compassion instead of judgement has allowed us to help more animals, and that is our primary goal.”
All these women were able to tell sad stories of abuse or neglect or abandonment and to discuss the hopefulness and inspiration of others. All noted the significance each played in shaping their roles within the animal sheltering community. These leaders of different roles and backgrounds shared similar views of the biggest problems in our community: pet overpopulation, the need for spaying/neutering, fighting animal cruelty and improving owner education.
The bottom line is, our community’s animals need our help, and these caring professionals all see eye-to-eye on how the public can support the shelters and rescues, from volunteering and donations to fostering and adoption. Everyone can do something, and these admirable ladies are certainly doing all they can.
Celebrating Mother’s and Father’s Day With Fur Babies
Calling All Parents of Four-Legged Children
In a year that saw most people spending a lot more time at home, it’s no surprise that our pets have further solidified their bond with us as bonafide members of the family. According to the American Pet Products Association’s (APPA) biennial National Pet Owners Survey, an estimated 67% of American households had a pet, with 50% owning at least one dog and 34% owning at least one cat.
It’s also safe to assume that those pet parents have been spoiling their furry companions with treats, toys, clothing and more. The pet care industry experienced a boom in 2020, with the APPA projecting that Americans would spend $99 billion on their pets by the end of this year.
And with good reason. Family pets have become exercise partners, co-workers, playmates, reading coaches for home-schooled children and even emotional support, as families spent many more hours with Fido or Fluffy. These furry family members certainly deserve to be celebrated for all those hours of hard work and cuddles.
So, for those pet parents who consider their pets as much a part of their family as their human children, here are some options for celebrating Mother’s Day and Father’s Day with your cat or dog.
1. Go on a Family Adventure
Consider an outing based around your furry friend. The Charleston County park system has several options for exploring the great outdoors with your pet in tow, including Mount Pleasant’s Palmetto Islands County Park. Explore its extensive trail system through a tropical, tidal creekside setting, or choose to launch and paddle a kayak for especially brave doggies. You can also make the drive to North Charleston to check out Wannamaker County Park’s newly constructed off-leash dog park, which features separate large and small dog areas and a splash pad for those hot summer days. Adventurous kitties on leash or in one of those nifty backpack carriers are also encouraged. Find more parks and pet-friendly amenities at ccprc.com.
2. Schedule a Check-Up
A healthy pet is a happy pet. Take the time to ensure your fur-baby is in top shape and up to date on all necessary vaccines and preventative medications by scheduling an appointment with Advanced Animal Care of Mount Pleasant. Regular visits to the vet can improve your pet’s quality of life and even extend their lifespan so you can enjoy many more happy years (and Mother’s and Father’s Days) with them. Call 843-884-9838, or email [email protected] to book.
3. Make a Donation in Your Pet’s Name
There’s no better way to honor the heart and soul of your family pet than by helping other pets find loving forever homes of their own. The Charleston Animal Society’s mission is to prevent cruelty to animals. You can support them in their work of caring for and protecting nearly 20,000 pets each year by making a monetary donation in your pet’s name through a Pet Honorarium or Memorial on the organization’s website. According to CAS, a donation of just $50 helps feed homeless kittens for a week. Visit them at charlestonanimalsociety.org for more information.
4. Spoil Them Rotten
When all else fails, buy their love! Show enduring love and appreciation for your pup or cat with a shopping spree at Michael’s Barkery Pet Spa and Boutique. You’ll find everything there to spoil your pet, including special cakes and treats baked in-house, boutique FriendshipCollar collars that come with matching bracelets, which you can wear alongside your furry pal, and a full-service grooming salon to keep your fluffy babe looking and smelling fresh. Visit them at 864 Island Park Drive, Suite 103 in Daniel Island.
