Naval Consolidated Brig Adopts Canines for Veterans Program

CHARLESTON, SC (NNS) -- Naval Weapons Station Charleston's Naval Consolidated Brig (NAVCONBRIG) announced a new program that will allow prisoners to train dogs for disabled veterans in conjunction with the Carolina Canines for Veterans (CCV) Program, Aug. 11.

Since its inception in 1996, Carolina Canines has successfully placed 41 service dogs, valued at more than $1.6 million, with disabled people nationwide and, since partnering with the Marine Brig aboard Camp Lejeune, it has placed 10 dogs with wounded warriors.

"We have been very happy with the support of the Marine Corps and the success of the Carolina Canines for Veterans program at Camp Lejeune," said Rick Hairston, Carolina Canines for Service president and CEO. "The move to Charleston will enable us to grow the program and serve more of our deserving veterans."

NAVCONBRIG Charleston expects to begin the program with seven dogs Aug. 31.

"This program will be a triple win for all involved," said Cmdr. Ray Drake, NAVCONBRIG Charleston commanding officer. "The wounded warrior gets a highly trained companion to greatly improve their quality of life, the Navy facilitates a useful program employing prisoners productively while helping them (to) develop marketable skills they can use after release, and the dogs are rescued from local shelters instead of being euthanized."

The service dogs will be placed with their respective trainer, prisoners who have displayed exceptional behavior and a temperament that will enable them to train the dog, who will care for and successfully train the dog. The training regimen can last from 1,800 to 2,000 hours and, after core training and the prospective wounded warrior is identified, training can be adjusted to accommodate any special needs the wounded warrior may need.

The canines, rescued from area animal shelters, go through an extensive screening process to ensure the future training is invested in a dog capable of meeting the rigors of the job. Some of the standards for acceptance are the animal's physical attributes and capabilities, temperament, and they must be within the age of 10-15 months.

"When we go look at these animals at the shelters, we may look at 60 of them but only a few will get selected," said Hairston. "Our service members deserve the best and that is what we are dedicated to giving them."

The service dogs are taught to fetch items like a coin on the floor, a brief case or a dropped cell phone. They are also trained to place clothes in a washing machine, place dishes in a sink, open a refrigerator to retrieve an item, retrieve prosthetic limbs, and open different types of doors.

The program's most recent development is teaching the dogs to help a service member with Post Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD). The dogs are taught to enter a room and break up a crowded area or open a path for the owner to walk. This is beneficial to many wounded warriors, because most PTSD patients often have difficulty in crowded situations.

Once the dogs are trained, the wounded warrior will be flown to Charleston to retrieve the service dog at no cost to them. During their stay, the new dog owner will have five to seven days to train with the dog and learn their special abilities. After this process, the owner and their new dog are returned home at no cost.

"Service members were just doing what we asked them to do and were injured while serving their country," said Hairston. "Now it's up to us to take care of them."

For more news from Naval Weapons Station Charleston, visit http://www.navy.mil/local/nwscharleston/.