WASHINGTON – By using trained dogs, a local Navy veteran is helping other vets who are dealing with the visible and invisible wounds of war.
Karen Jeffries is the founder of Veterans Moving Forward, a non-profit that trains service dogs for veterans at no cost.
Jeffries, who served 24 years in the Navy, says she first got the idea for the organization after raising a dog for a different group and seeing the profound impact the animal had on her husband, a veteran who suffers from depression and anxiety.
Veterans Moving Forward is two-years-old and its first dog will soon be deployed.
“This one is a Golden Retriever and her name is Lori,” Jeffries says.
In a few weeks, Lori will be permanently placed with a Marine at Quantico who has done four back-to-back combat tours in Iraq. The Marine suffers from Post Traumatic Stress Disorder.
“It’s so bad, and he doesn’t sleep. And hasn’t slept in a long, long time. And never sleeps beyond three or four hours because of the nightmares,” Jeffries says.
The dog, Lori, is being trained to turn on the lights to wake him from his nightmares.
Jeffries says the Marine already has Lori, but both still need some more training.
WTOP’s Kathy Stewart contributed to this report. Follow WTOP on Twitter.
(Copyright 2012 by WTOP. All Rights Reserved.)
