Inmates Train Dogs to Help Veterans with PTSD

Houston, TXA number of women in a Texas prison have been training dogs to help disabled veterans, including those who have post traumatic stress disorder (PTSD).

Sharon Cooper, who is serving 30 years in prison for embezzlement, is one of 13 women who have been training the dogs at the Texas Department of Criminal Justice's Crain Unit, according to the Houston Chronicle. The inmates are helping Patriot Paws teach dogs to help disabled veterans accomplish every day tasks that many take for granted.

These dogs can fetch everything from medication to drinks from the refrigerator, in addition to helping with many other vital chores like opening doors.

Sergeant Clay Rankin, who was wounded in the Gulf War and in Iraq, now has his second dog from Patriot Paws. He says that the canines are particularly valuable for veterans with PTSD.

"They're a social bridge," he told the news source. "It gives people they meet something to talk about and helps the veterans meld back into society."

However, veterans are not the only ones being helped by the dogs, they have also helped some inmates find direction.

"I was in awe when I saw what these dogs did," Cooper told the news provider. "I never really had a passion in life. This could be my passion. This could be my career."