Chuck Norris Is awesome and his suggestion to veterans is an absolutely wonderful idea.
According to the Conservative Tribune:
Outspoken conservative Chuck Norris is urging veterans suffering from the toll of serving in the military to consider a somewhat unconventional practice to help them deal with their struggles. What he’s suggesting costs very little but has huge gains.
For veterans suffering from depression, anxiety and PTSD, something like a pet could provide the necessary therapy to help improve not only the life of the veteran but that of the pet as well.
Animal-assisted therapy is by no means new. Used to reduce anxiety, depression and fatigue, pet therapy is an often a positive solution for many people, and Norris wrote in his weekly column that he believed veterans could benefit greatly from this treatment.
Norris cited the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, which claimed that having a pet can help decrease blood pressure, cholesterol and loneliness. Caring for a pet encourages people to exercise and socialize with others.
Interacting with pets can also help people cope with challenges such as PTSD.
Norris specifically mentioned the work of Dr. Tracy Stecker, a clinical psychologist. She said for many returning from war, keeping a dog in the room mimics the buddy system that military personnel are familiar with.
A pet can also help an individual deal with symptoms developed in war by letting them know they are safe and not alone.
Norris is not alone in thinking pet therapy would be good for veterans. A bill introduced to the House of Representatives by Rep. Ron DeSantis, R., Fla., Wednesday would create a program that would help those suffering from PTSD by bringing them together with trained service dogs.
Puppies Assisting Wounded Service members, or the PAWS Act, would help veterans who are not responding well to traditional treatments by giving them a friend and a partner.
I think this is something we can all get on board with if anyone has ever owned a pet. It is impossible not to smile when your little buddy comes in the room wagging his tail. Share this story to spread the word.