Vets’ best friend | va eastern colorado health care | veterans affairs

Colorado VA facility dog brings love and comfort to disabled Veterans at home or on slopes of the Winter Sports Clinic. As Jessica Conyer’s boots crunch across the snow toward the ski lift,

she is fully aware of people bustling about, the whir of the ski lifts and the swoosh of skiers flying by at the National Disabled Veterans Winter Sports Clinic in Snowmass, Colorado. But,

foremost on her mind are the needs of the Veterans attending the event, and a close second, her facility service dog, Wicker, who heels by her side. “Wicker is a very good boy,” said

Conyers, the head coach for the Rocky Mountain Regional VA Medical Center. “He is loving, fun, playful and sweet.”  Wicker is one of the few professional-trained facility service dogs in the

VA network. Facility dogs are expertly trained dogs who partner with a facilitator and work in a health care or visitation facility. Born on National Dog Day, Aug. 26, the two-year-old,

yellow, Labrador retriever was trained by Canine Companions – a nationwide organization that trains service dogs, including facility, hearing and skill companion dogs.  At the 37-bed

residential bed rehab facility where he works, Wicker provides comfort and support for Veterans living in the domiciliary, which primarily houses Veterans diagnosed with homelessness or

those escaping domestic violence.  “Veterans come into our program with an average length of stay being six months. So, it is their home while they stay there,” said Conyers, a recreational

therapist. “We really try to help Veterans coming into Valor Point to work on any underlying issues they might be dealing with like substance abuse, PTSD, or other mental health diagnosis.

We really help them get back to a better place. Ultimately, the end goal is to help them get back into independent housing.”  This is where Wicker’s mission begins. Many Veterans enjoy

having a dog’s presence, and the presence of a dog makes the facility more home-like for them. Wicker makes it feel less sterile, less medical, and just makes it a little more friendly and

inviting and homelike, Conyer said. It took more than a year to complete the application process, background check and interview to match Wicker with his potential handler, Coyner.   “He has

been an amazing fit,” Conyers said. “He is just the perfect blend of dog. He is just the perfect dog for Valor Point.”  Wicker brought with him his special brand of medicine for the soul to

the disabled Veterans at the Winter Sports Clinic.  “We were at the new Veteran orientation, all sitting together. Across the way, somebody who was with me was getting anxious, tapping

their foot. I walked over and asked if they were doing alright. They said they were starting to feel anxious.”  After a few belly rubs, a moment of love and affection, the Veteran felt at

ease again.  “He has done amazing,” said Conyers. “This is a big environment. There is a lot of other people here and a lot of other dog distractions here – other working dogs. But, he has

really, really impressed me. He knows when it is time to work.”  Despite only having Wicker for seven months, Conyers is convinced that every VA should consider having a facility dig.  “I

hope having him out and about, around Veterans here at the Winter Sports Clinic will inspire more people to get a facility dog,” said Conyers. “We have talked to several therapists here and

maybe inspired some Veterans who can benefit from a service dog to look into it. I hope to spread the word about how awesome these working dogs really are.”