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Veterans with special medical needs may get some extra help soon. Beth Barkley trains the aides who would serve as veterans' live-in companions. "Their training includes reacting to a medical crisis in a specific way, physically assisting persons in or out of a wheelchair, a bed, or a bathroom facility . . ." The aides are dogs. They can pull wheelchairs, predict seizures and even detect skin cancer. The Department of Veterans Affairs already gives seeing-eye dogs to blind vets. A bill introduced by New Jersey Congressman Chris Smith would expand the program to vets with other disabilities. Maura Shea, who works for Maryland Congresswoman Connie Morella, told Smith's Veterans Affairs Committee that her dog has changed her life. Shea is hearing impaired and is slowly going blind. "In 1993 I thought I had MS. My legs would not move when I would go to cross the street. In reality, I was paralyzed with fear, too scared to move, fearing that I would be hit by either a car or a bike." Shea says her dog has allowed her to "see better" and during the torturous process of losing her sight, he's given her peace. Florida Congressman Cliff Stearns says Shea's testimony is all the convincing he needs to be a supporter of the bill. "You make the case that, having this dog, you no longer have the fear. I think that statement in itself is the most clear indication why veterans, who are in similar situations, or in need of this type of service, should have it." It costs $15,000 to $30,000 to train an assistive dog. But a committee staff member says he doesn't believe the cost will be a deterrent to the bill's passage because a minimal number of vets would need the dogs. And, pointing to the well-mannered German Shepherds and bouncy German Shepherd puppy that attended the hearing with Barkley he said, "who could vote against them?" |
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