When Man's Best Friend Becomes a Veteran with PTSD Published July 8, 2014 By Jessica Salter Enlisted Spouse Club DOVER AIR FORCE BASE, Del. -- -- Editor's note: This article has been submitted by Jessica Salter, 2014 Dover AFB Spouse of the Year, wife of Tech. Sgt. Matthew Salter of the 436th Security Forces Military Working Dog Section, as part of her platform in bringing awareness, not just to PTSD in military personnel, but also to Military Working Dogs. All too often there is a story on the news about a veteran who is suffering from Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder and decides to end their life. When we hear these stories, we worry. Could my spouse be next? Could yours? What if I told you the four legged warriors who help fight for our spouses' safety and for our freedom, suffer from war as well. Today, MWDs fill many roles. These dogs have an amazing sense of smell, making them an asset in the detection of narcotics and explosives. Having an amazing drive and stamina, they can track suspects, and if necessary take down a suspect by force. Working hand-and-paw with their canine handlers and trainers, these four-legged soldiers are a huge advantage to the war overseas. Though there are no official statistics on canine PTSD, of the approximately 650 military working dog teams deployed nearly five percent are coming down with PTSD. Our fur warriors are under the same duress as our men and women fighting overseas. The Holland Hospital, the canine version of Walter Reed Army Medical Center, assists the military veterinarians in the consultation of potential canine PTSD cases. Much like when a human suffers from PTSD, these dogs can feel it too. Dogs that see their job as a big game, are suddenly transformed due to the accumulation of high stress and the uncertainty of loud noises, high emotion and the death that surrounds them. This condition now threatens their combat effectiveness. Their cases can range from mild to severe. Sometimes it's as simple as retraining and conditioning, and sometimes these faithful warriors need medication to make it easier so they can continue working as they normally do. Many of the harsher cases are often adopted out of service to lead less stressful lives. However the idea of canine PTSD is mired in speculation and controversy. Very little research has been conducted on the mental effects of war time in our canine troops. Being the spouse of an Air Force Military Dog Handler, it's been amazing to see the bond that builds between handler and dog. It's the bond as fierce and loyal as any human counterpart, one that strengthens when put into dangerous situations, such as deployments. These MWD's would put their lives at great risk to protect the unit. They would and have laid down their lives for their handlers and vice versa. Back in the Vietnam War, many dogs were left behind as the military deemed them as excess equipment. Today, these dogs aren't seen as equipment to their team. They are simply seen as fellow warriors and part of the team, part of the whole because they do the duty asked of them. They do it with pride and they do it to the best of their ability. So as a spouse, it's rough to hear about these unsung heroes, deserving of love and thanks, coming home and having to adjust to the normalcy of being home. There is a stigma for those in this country who are seeking help for PTSD, and it's a silent killer. It's estimated that one in five will return from Iraq and Afghanistan will suffer from PTSD. Over the last six years, the estimated number has climbed to over 300,000 and that's only those who have reported it, many will never seek help. So when you put it into a canine perspective, how can we help our four legged soldiers who suffer, when we have such a hard time accepting it in our military members today? Who will be the voice to one who doesn't have one? When do we get help to those who need it?