Episode 166 - Service Dogs for our Veterans with Anthony Longo (Part 1)

In this episode of The Fearless Mindset Podcast, host Mark Ledlow is joined by Anthony Longo, a Founding President and Executive Director of Warrior’s Choice Foundation, Inc., a nonprofit organization that provides service dogs to combat veterans. Anthony stumbled into this work while contracting overseas and found solace and purpose in working with canines. He saw the demand for service dogs among veterans struggling with mental health issues and decided to create a program that could help fill the gaps in the system. Anthony is a fellow veteran and is passionate about supporting his fellow servicemen and women.

Anthony shares his journey of how he stumbled into working with service dogs for combat veterans. He discusses the demand for service dogs among veterans struggling with mental health issues and the need to fill the gaps in the system. Anthony explains the application process for veterans to receive a service dog and the associated costs. He also highlights the positive impact that service dogs can have on veterans' lives, providing them with a sense of purpose and confidence. Anthony shares his own experience with his service dog, Bourbon, and the bond they have developed over the years.

Learn about all this and more in this episode of The Fearless Mindset Podcast.

GOLDEN NUGGETS

The Healing Power of Service Dogs - Anthony Longo: "With us, it was really like, how do we use hypervigilance as a skill set? How do you channel that energy? How do you channel that anxiety, that force, that kind of makes you feel less inclined to want to deal with other people? With us, it was really about how we kind of incorporate that into the mindset and into the animals' training to bring peace of mind for the veterans and help them overcome their challenges."

The Dog as Doctor, Nurse, and Psychiatrist - Anthony Longo: “And that's the problem. You know, it's, we'll say this, the VA does do a good job. And for what it has to do, could it be better? A hundred percent. I mean, some of these bureaucrats and Hey, if you're an elected official, that's the healthcare you get. So, yeah, see some pretty rapid changes. But I still feel just the access to progressive medicine and alternative holistic care. Needs to be something that should be highlighted a little bit more because it's not always just like keep shoving drugs down guys' throats. Because, I mean, look at the side effects of the streets of the United States. Yeah, it's crazy and, you know, the side effects of owning an animal. Patience is one of those things you learn to develop. Having to take the dog outside, having to move, having to get up, having to just work with the animal. Um, I think those are a little bit more constructive, constructive side effects than they are, you know, whatever drug that we're on. You know, causing anal leakage or whatever. I think I'd rather take out and let my dog out.”

Get to know more about Anthony:

• LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/anthony-j-longo-993b9a2b/
• Website: https://www.warriorschoice.org/

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