Source: http://www.armytimes.com/news/2011/10/ap-dogs-greet-returning-soldiers-100911/

---

To abbreviate the above article, there is a program being conducted at some Army posts where canines are being allowed to interact with returning Soldiers. Studies, not necessarily related to the military, show that interacting with pets, dogs in this case, help relieve stress and a myriad of other physical stress-related ailments. For Soldiers returning from deployments, de-briefing, going through courses sometimes, worrying about things on the home front (bills, mortgages, missing family and their own pets), etc., the return is definitely as stressful as leaving.

 

As a lover of dogs and a veteran, I can definitely appreciate this somewhat unorthodox approach to helping Soldiers re-assimilate from the battlefield. I see this growing and becoming even bigger.

As an academic, I'm really intrigued because the study of interaction between humans and pets, specifically canines, has really gained ground in the past decade or so. Recent evidence shows that unlike what researchers and scientists first had assumed, canines most likely adapted to become pets, and were not forced to become pets. (Similar to the interaction between Kevin Costner's character and the wolf in 'Dances with Wolves'.) This theory, with evidence, has paved the way to maybe prove why the bond between humans and canines is so innately strong-- with Soldiers in this case benefiting.

 

Any returning troops experience this first-hand? It would be interesting to hear about that.

This is definatly a good thing.. they dont call them mans best friend for no reason..