To Be of Service

As someone who works with service dog organizations, it is a great reminder that service dogs can truly change lives and make a difference for those who need it most. I'm proud to support US Veterans.

Although I'm not a regular watcher of documentaries, I do have friends and family who are combat veterans. I've observed them, listened to their stories, hugged them and cried with them and experienced a fuller understanding of how they literally put their lives on the line. And our military services are all volunteer. Then they come home from war, and our government says, "Thanks for that. Good luck." And we and they know better. PTSD is not a new thing. The healing power of the relationship between dogs--who love unconditionally and heal through that love--and our veterans is amazing, emotional, and critical. We send them to war and they come back broken; dogs can and do assist them in becoming "Un-broken." As Hemingway said, "The broken parts are where the light gets in." Service dogs are the glue that puts them back together so that light can shine within. I have some issues artistically and editorial with some aspects of the documentary, but the overriding trope of how important these dog/veteran relationships are is clearly delineated. I spent large portions of the documentary with my mouth open wondering, "WHY?" Why isn't this a covered benefit by the VA?? Regardless, watch the film, step up your compassion and appreciation for our warriors. I did.

This is an impactful, thought-provoking documentary that touches on service animals saving the lives of service members.

It is well worth watching and discussing the many topics on which it touched.

The criticism here is that it was too ambitious for a less than 1.5 hr documentary. This topic is deep and wide enough to easily make a multi-episode documentary that provides more depth on specific aspects of service, shortcomings of our systems that are supposed to take care of service members, and the benefits and process of service animals.

Still well worth watching and reflecting on it.

I found this difficult to watch, but powerful and subtle. I hope it gets more resources to those who would benefit.

Not an easy film to watch - but needs to be watched. It focuses on the impact of war on these amazing veterans and how these service dogs can help with PTSD. These organizations need resources asap.