Research studies have shown that the positive impact of adopting a pet on the healing of the mental and emotional scars that war indelibly leaves on the battle-hardened warrior. No amount of top brass lip service, medals or accolades from politicians can temper the emotional trauma the average field soldier suffers the way pets can. It is this adoption process instigated by the Pets for Patriots program to that combines the best of both worlds by providing shelters for homeless animals as well as enriching the lives of our valiant troopers.
Background on the Effects of War on the Human Psyche
Ever since the first militias were formed, there has always been a uniform way of indoctrinating a normal ordinary civilian to become an obedient, efficient killing machine. Without such discipline and austerity, no army, ancient or modern would ever hope to survive first contact with the enemy. But as efficient the system of indoctrination maybe, times have changed. No longer is the modern day world beset by constant demand for aggression and war mongering as before the 21st century. People today who are educated would now opt for a more pacifistic approach into dealing with trade disputes, land border disputes or disputes in all its various forms. However, there comes a time when the solution to these problems comes to the use of force. Ordinary civilians conscripted or volunteering out of concern for the freedom of the nation are once again subjected to same dehumanizing indoctrination of training to kill the enemy.
But at what cost does this bear to the modern, peace-loving civilian? As the civilian becomes a soldier, all the innocence is lost, all the built-in morality system of not doing harm to others and mental and emotional distortions that come with it. Some people can hold out better than others in keeping the façade of strength and fortitude in the midst of bloody conflict, others enjoy the thought of a blood bath which may or may not be a good thing depending on which sides the soldier in question is on. But the one we are most concerned with are those who have trouble dealing with the stress of war and reintegration to society that comes with it. Exposure to the horrors of war leaves one to become more violent, hyper-aggressive and a lot less empathy than before. This is no less an important quality when faced with an enemy who has no qualms with killing you in a split-second.
But such qualities are not needed in times of peace, or at least, in the community in which the former, retired soldier wishes to live out the rest of his days in. Thus comes into the picture the Pets for Patriots program.
Specific Effects of Pets on Rehabilitation on the Soldier’s Psyche
After having been removed abruptly from an extremely stressful and state-of mind changing event, the human brain becomes confused and cannot determine what is the next most possible course of action upon finding out that there is no more war to do. It is at this point where two things can happen. One, the soldier has an effective defence and coping mechanism that allows him make sense of the death that has happened around him and can fully justify his participation that allows him to sleep at night, reintegrate to society and live the rest of life in peace. Or two, these mechanisms fail and soldier experiences what in Psychiatry is called Post Traumatic Stress Disorder. The soldier cannot make sense of the deaths that happened, may experience survivor’s guilt; delve into depression, further rage and exasperation. It is at this point where the soldier may commit suicide; turn to alcoholism or even more serious problems such as turning to a life of crime. What do we do about it?
The answer is to give the soldier a pet, preferably a homeless dog or cat that the soldier can take care of. The effects are profound. One is that the soldier now has something to take care of that needs constant care and attention. This practice causes the brain to reboot from “kill all enemies” into “I’ve got something to take good care of”. A complex set of neurotransmitters in the brain are responsible for this change in attitude as the soldier takes care of the pet, these are the same chemical responsible for altering mood and disposition but this time, it works in the favour of restoring the soldier’s mind to that of a caring person, someone whom the society accepts and loves. Not only that, it also give homeless animals a place to stay and to be loved.
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