March 13, 2019 —

President Trump’s executive order creating a cabinet-level task force to address veteran suicides should be applauded (“Task Force Ordered on Veteran Suicides,” U.S. News, March 6). Addressing this epidemic will take bold solutions. We believe the task force’s plan should include using specially trained service dogs. We have seen life-changing and lifesaving support to affected veterans when they are paired with service dogs, which are often in need of homes, generating benefits on both ends of the leash.

Service dogs can help veterans cope with post-traumatic stress and traumatic brain injury. Dogs can be trained to perform countless tasks to help, including retrieving medication, grounding handlers during stressful episodes, aiding with memory-related tasks and waking veterans during nightmares.

Robin Ganzert, Ph.D.
President and CEO
American Humane
Washington