A NOT-for-profit organisation that helps returned servicemen and rescues pups from the pound — that description alone makes it almost impossible not to support this cause.
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But if you weren’t sold on it before, reading the story of Joshua New and his “miracle” dog Lucky will surely sway you.
Mr New, of Mount Beauty, found himself struggling after he was medically discharged form the army last year, and later received an assistance dog through Young Diggers Dog Squad program.
He credits Lucky with helping him through the toughest times, even identifying when Mr New was having a panic attack and trying to get his owner out of that situation. The benefits are two-fold, of course, with Young Diggers also rescuing dogs from shelters.
But at a cost of $2500 to rescue and train each dog, it’s not a cheap exercise and help is needed.
Mr New is hoping the Border will get behind the cause, particularly given the large defence population in the region.
Here’s hoping they do. Few would argue with the efforts our servicemen go to, and if a program like this can bring the some comfort amid the struggle of post-traumatic stress, then it ought to be encouraged.
