Tuesday, May 21, 2013
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Soldier Stripped of Service DogA service dog was taken away from a soldier suffering from post-traumatic stress disorder Thursday after serving a 15-month tour in Afghanistan.
It’s a heart-wrenching tale about man and his dog, but neither side can be called a winner.
A service dog was taken away from a soldier suffering from post-traumatic stress disorder Thursday after serving a 15-month tour in Afghanistan. According to Alaska Assistance Dogs representatives, Sgt. Jason Wideman didn’t finish the training required to keep the service dog, and it remains unclear why he didn’t complete the training. In July, the organization gave the soldier a 2-year-old golden retriever named Scotty. According to the agency, it sent Wideman emails and letters asking him to come back and continue training, but claims the soldier never responded. Dodd Shay, dog trainer and founder of Alaska Assistance Dogs, said “it’s an industry standard” that service dogs must work full time with a client and it can take up to a year before a client gets to keep the dog. Wideman and the former president of Alaska Service Dogs have started their own service dog agency. “The loss of Scotty is huge, but, that being said, I'm going to keep going,” he said, and plans to find another dog to train and “reap the benefits.” |
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AlaskaWoman1 said on Thursday, Dec 8 at 2:33 PM
Wow is that the “new” claim now that the reason why Jason couldn’t do the training is because he was deployed? He wasn't shipped during this time. And just like anyone else in the program if for some reason you are unable to make a training date, you call and let them know. You don’t quit training and stop all communication and keep the dog. I use to believe that the military held all their service members to a high standard of honoring commitments that they make and if you can’t fulfill your end of the deal then it’s your job to return any item that you might have without whining and complaining!
78123554Jennie said on Thursday, Dec 8 at 10:33 AM
How did they expect him to keep up appointments and such with the agency, when he was deployed and serving his country? on top of that, the FORMER president of the agency is on his side. that to me tells me A LOT about this agency. what were they doing to cause such an event? this sounds to me like its retaliation from the agency, for wideman and the president leaving the agency board.
78106607AlaskaWoman1 said on Saturday, Dec 3 at 2:06 AM
Your right AAD didn’t want to take his check, they get grants and donations for the dogs. However, that doesn’t negate Jason’s required time in training. Doing a couple training classes isn’t completing the full year of training which Jason knew was the requirement. He couldn’t handle completing the training just like he couldn’t handle being a board member! It’s the board that sets the direction of how a company is run.
77834494interested said on Sunday, Nov 20 at 3:07 PM
I think we are all missing one thing here. The soldier was on the board of directors for the agency and resigned? Why? I think that is where this all started. There must have been a reason why he resigned. Was the agency doing something he considered unethical, did he not agree with a decision they were making, or how things were run? Why did he resign? And in my opinion, that is why the agency decided to take his dog away. He disagreed with something they were doing, resigned from the board of directors because of it, and because he disagreed with them on something, they decided to no longer "help him out" with a dog, and decided to throw the book at him on the "rules". Think about it. Bottom line soldier- move on, start your own agency as stated, and do it right! Right on! There is definately more to this story then the public is being told. Just my humble opinion.
77245726Scott P. said on Friday, Nov 18 at 4:43 PM
I would like to point out one more thing. From what I have read on service dogs, they should not be intact. Right? Service dogs should be spay or neutered! That dog had a set on him that could knock you out!!! What is up with that AAD?????
77173623Scott P. said on Friday, Nov 18 at 4:39 PM
@ have some respect.....I agree with you about the PTSD, I have seen many a war in my life, but, Do YOU know for a fact that this soldier did not keep up his end of the bargain? On the contrary, he traveled several times to Anchorage from Fairbanks for training, he has done several interviews for AAD. I saw him on the news several times and in the july 4th parade. One of the news stories showed the letter stating that this family tried to pay for the dog but AAD said they would rather place the dog with the famiy as it was a grave injustice to our veterans to take money after they so bravely fought for our country. Is this AAD a joke? I think someone just rattled a wild animals cage when asking questions about the way the organization was run. We all can learn something from this!
77173423Scott P. said on Friday, Nov 18 at 4:32 PM
What many people did not hear was that this soldier sat on the board of directors for AAD. After he voiced concerns on some of the activity from AAD founders, he resigned. There was no paperwork or contracts signed when AAD placed Scotty with Jason. Scotty was a trained service dog that was working in the capacity of a service dog. The letter shown that was written to a senators office by the founders of AAD stated that they "GAVE" Scotty to Jason and would not accept the money from this highly decorated soldier. A month after Jason left the board, AAD decided to take Scotty back. Also, what people don't know is that the AAD founder that picked Scotty up did not bring the so called trained therapist from AAD with him, no, instead, he brought another CLIENT with him that walked up to Jason and threatened him on Camera!!!! How is that right? involving other clients? Especially those with PTSD? Read all the facts people. The fact is that AAD did this out of spite.
77173188eparry said on Thursday, Nov 10 at 10:58 AM
Service dogs are allowed in populated areas in close proximity to the public. An untrained dog could present a hazard.The headline was sensationalized with the term "stripped".
76735139KK said on Wednesday, Nov 9 at 9:45 AM
The Vet didn't complete the training with the dog that was required, which means the dog would have been walking around Anchorage as a "service dog" with little to no training therefore giving other service dogs a bad name! Did you watch the video, the service dog jumped up on the guy that had come to take him away, a properly and completely trained service dog wouldn't do that! Give the Alaska Assistance Dog owners a break they are nice people, but they cannot have a service dog running around from "Alaska Assistance Dogs" without training! I have personally met the owners of Alaska Assistance Dogs and know that they are good hearted people who really care about vets however, the vets must comply with the dog training otherwise why doesn't he just get a pet dog for his kids because that is all the dog would be anyway without training.
76670603Alaskawoman1 said on Wednesday, Nov 9 at 9:36 AM
Jason being part of Alaska Assistance Dogs board knew what the requirements were for obtaining a service dog. He chose to stop training and all communications with AAD. Where is his honor being a military officer for honoring agreements? It is sad that he did this to Scotty. If he truly was interested in obtaining a service dog he would have stuck with the program. All he wanted Scotty for was for breading his own service dog at Midnight Suns Service Dogs. Both he and April Merchant should be a ashamed of themselves for trying to pull a media stunt to gain recognition for a company that doesn't have credentials or a proven track record of training and placing service dogs. Who this is really going to hurt in the end is the military because now they can pull the service dog program because is problematic; all because of an Army Officer that didn't want to honor his agreement with AAD. When that happens remember to thank Jason Weidman!
76669994Northwoodsman said on Tuesday, Nov 8 at 12:46 PM
I'm for whatever it takes to make our soldiers healthy again, if it be a dog so be it. A trained dog or pet understands us humans 24/7, and they're always there for us.
76622432Doc said on Tuesday, Nov 8 at 11:59 AM
Okay so he didn't complete the training. However, he was happy with the dog. So taking the dog and putting them both through the trauma of separation is the answer? This because the paradigms of structure dictated it be that way? In all of the trouble that we've been through as a nation, are you telling me that even still we cannot do what is most civil and the humanly thing to do for this soldier and his dog? Give the dog back to him.
76619824Service Dog Handler said on Monday, Nov 7 at 7:08 PM
(Continued from previous post....) While it does tug at the heartstrings for the dog to be taken away, it makes a whole lot of sense and is the right thing to do. The man could have easily avoided this situation, but chose not to. His choice ended up being losing the dog. He had to have known the consequences, but chose to not finish the training classes and instead lose the dog. The training is what makes a service dog a service dog.
76582202Service Dog Handler said on Monday, Nov 7 at 7:02 PM
Service dogs cost a LOT of money - up to $50,000 per dog - for programs to train. This money is donated to them. The man in this story did not complete the training program, as per the requirements, so if the program had let him keep the dog, they would have spent a lot of donated money on a pet. That wouldn't be right and it wouldn't be legal, as that money is donated for dogs to become service dogs, not pets. This man likely signed a contract stating he would finish the training classes with the dog, but then broke the contract by not doing what he swore he would do. The program had every right to take the dog back and it is a good thing they did. Now the dog can go to somebody who will utilize the dog's training (and finish the dog's training). Most dogs don't have what it takes to become a service dog, so the right type of dog is hard to find - another reason not to let this dog go to waste as an expensive pet.
76581961Reason said on Sunday, Nov 6 at 6:57 PM
He didn't fulfill the required amount of training. Why let him keep the dog. He may be a vet but even they must follow the rules. If you want a pet buy one, but if you want a service dog follow the rules to get one.
76530042Brenda said on Sunday, Nov 6 at 6:52 PM
Why didn't the guy just finish his training?? Then he could keep the dog right??
76529849Hattie in Seward said on Sunday, Nov 6 at 6:32 PM
That is So messed up. there are so many ways that a dog can reach a person and be more of a companion then a human. I would have been lost without my dog after I lost my husband. Whether he finished training or not you know he LOVED that dog. GIVE IT BACK. and let the man live, he put his life on the line for us, the least we can do is let him have a companion.
76529106CurtJ said on Sunday, Nov 6 at 9:41 AM
The dog provided therapy that actually helped the veteran better than a lot of other treatments and drugs could accomplish. If we can't help our veterans mend their shattered lives done in our name, maybe our crooked politicians better quit sending them overseas as cannon fodder in the interests of the weapons, munitions, military supply and hardware corporations and the foreign owned multi national, transglobal oil, energy and mining conglomerates. Who in turn bought off the politicians and officials in all three branches of our government, with bribes, past and promised employment and their investment portfolios. They get the millions, billions and tens of billions in profits off the sale of wares of destruction and stolen natural resources and lands. America gets the trillions of dollars worth of bills and the resulting terrorist attacks from people p.o.'ed at seeing their resources and lands stolen and people killed in order for it.
76512023SoldierOfFortunes said on Saturday, Nov 5 at 11:22 PM
Feel the love eh? Ouch folks...Really? Look I will hire soldiers and throw them in the forest where I cut trees...let me blow a gasket who cares...run it out...chop it out... Whatever...I gar un tee at the end of the day the energy to get angry will be put on a back burner after a nap or break...lol...so back off the soldier boys and girls folks...I want them to work with me...why well when the Sh*t hits the fan I just pick up a phone and hand it to them...well time to switch jobs bubba... they will be primed and ready to serve civilians and has carnal knowledge of military systems and can calm down a brood of crowds faster than a slick talking politician...lol...
76497234no knitter said on Saturday, Nov 5 at 10:52 PM
knitter go knit something you really know about oh have a nice day . Those soldiers deserve anything that helps.
76496936knitteralaska said on Saturday, Nov 5 at 7:47 PM
back at you annoyed.: who's army are you? certain americans or all? I know my taxes go to all the military not just the ones i " agree with".
76493403Back at you Annoyed said on Saturday, Nov 5 at 7:01 PM
Why don't you try and make us be monitered annoyed? Bring your army with you. I didn't know that suffering from PTSD meant I didn't have rights anymore...
76492571Carl in Soldotna said on Saturday, Nov 5 at 1:42 PM
From what i read here this soldier is suffering from PTSD, but now he'll be than likely to suffer more from the degrading of a special person that has gone to war for you and for me. Whomever has the dog should return it immediately soldiers suffer enough without coming home to such treatment.
76484659Bob Rehbock said on Saturday, Nov 5 at 1:41 PM
Saw the hand over too. I agree with Mike (yesterday 1 PM.) and join him in saying "The Alaska Assistance Dogs organization should forget about calling me for donations".
76484589like we dont have other dogs to train for the next person/s said on Saturday, Nov 5 at 12:40 PM
you dont let a dog bond with someone or a family and then break them up (for a lameass reason), that is not cool
76482969knitteralaska said on Saturday, Nov 5 at 11:13 AM
I should have mentioned I have vets in my family with PTSD. No matter how it is sugar-coated the truth is that it is a very dangerous and complicated disorder and although it is very sad I do stand by my statement that PTSD needs to be monitored by people rather than dogs.
76480724Have Some Respect said on Saturday, Nov 5 at 6:51 AM
Knitteralaska and Annoyed are obviously uneducated and should think, if they can, before throwing out broad, insulting and untrue stereotypes about vets with PTSD. Almost everyone that has been through a traumatic experience be it war or a serious car wreck has suffered from some degree of PTSD. It has wide ranging manifestations from mild to the extreme. To suggest that any soldier that has PTSD is "irrational, delusional, and are at extreme risk of exploding into violent episodes" and "should be monitored by people" is in itself irrational and delusional. Yes, there are extreme cases of PTSD and those soldiers and vets do need help but please do not suggest all vets with PTSD need institutionalized. There are good and bad soldiers just like any other group of people, there is obviously more to this than what was told above to support an eye grabbing headline. Assistance dogs need tons of training and if he wasn't keeping up with the requirements he deserves to lose the dog.
76472527doc suzi said on Friday, Nov 4 at 7:01 PM
knitteralaska, You might want to find out more about the work of service dogs with people who have a variety of disabling conditions. They can be nothing short of miraculous in the changes they bring to people's lives. In years of working with people who have service dogs, I just haven't seen or heard of the instances of abuse/neglect you seem so concerned about.
76459279Mike in Anchorage said on Friday, Nov 4 at 5:00 PM
I watched as that family turned over their dog and their tears were real. That dog was a well loved member of that family and the people who run that program should be ashamed of themselves. The fact that they couldn't find a way to make accommodations that would benefit the patient and the dog speaks volumes about their program. The Alaska Assistance Dogs organization should forget about calling me for donations.
76455028knitteralaska said on Friday, Nov 4 at 4:24 PM
I don't think people with tbi or ptsd should have a dog. they are very angry and scary and dangerous at times. they need to be monitored by people not a defenseless dog.
76453598Annoyed said on Friday, Nov 4 at 3:03 PM
I'm very annoyed with people and institutions who think you can just throw a dog or something at vets with PTSD. People with military-nutured PTSD/GWS are very frequently irrational, delusional, and are at an extreme risk of exploding into violent episodes. They are not capable of making rational decisions (like showing up for a training) as often as people without. These people need serious advanced help and monitoring, and must be ordered to do so if they refuse to do it independently.
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