Noteboom The Law Firm

Positive Veteran Disability News: Military Dogs & Their Handlers After Service

As military disability lawyers, we report daily on veteran disability news and services that are of interest to our readers and their families. Once in awhile a story comes along that isn't necessarily about VA disability claims, but is one we think our readers will find to be as compelling as we do.

Today's good veteran news comes from a recent public radio story about military working dogs who are finding new lives in their post-service time. The end of military service traditionally meant these dogs were euthanized. Thanks to the demands of both civilian and military families, the Department of Defense (DoD) is now allowing the dogs' handlers to adopt these "veteran dogs" after the dogs' last day of service.

Handlers equate their bonds with their working dogs to those bonds between combat veterans. The accomplishments and failures throughout the deployment are shared by man and canine together, and serve to form the basis of an incredible relationship.

Military service dogs are used for multiple reasons, to include bomb detection, which involves them walking in front of their handlers during their missions. The bond that is formed between the handlers and their dogs over the course of a deployment are the kind that can last a lifetime, and many handlers have a hard time letting go at the end of the tour.

As a result, many handlers want to adopt their dogs after the military dogs' service is over. There is a "priority process," however. The dogs' first priority is to be used a trainer for other handlers, and then the priority moves to law enforcement agencies. The third priority goes to families who lost a military member in combat. Fourth is former handlers, and the final priority goes to the general public.

The benefits to the veteran-handlers returning stateside are immeasurable; they continue a relationship with a bond understood by very few. The veteran dogs are able to enjoy long lives bringing joy to their handlers and their families.

If you are a disabled veteran who has been denied veteran disability compensation or have not yet applied for benefits from the VA, the South Florida military disability lawyers from LaVan & Neidenberg are ready to help. To learn if you are entitled to certain programs and benefits contact our veterans disability rights firm today - 1-888-234-5758.