Shannon Walker is an esteemed canine expert, renowned dog trainer, and the CEO and founder of Northwest Battle Buddies -- a non-profit organization dedicated to providing service dogs to combat veterans with post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD).
These precisely-trained dogs (and their precisely-trained humans!) provide veterans a way forward, when they may not have seen one. The service dogs allow vets to live in a way that civilians often take for granted -- whether it's taking your 5 year old daughter to the park or grabbing some milk in the grocery store. These parts of life that seem so basic to others might often seem paralyzing an incredibly difficult for vets with PTSD.
Shannon shares why it is critical for a veterans to have service dogs, which she considers service equipment. Veterans with PTSD have a shockingly high suicide rate after returning home to civilian life.
After gifting more than 250 dogs to veterans (that would cost $25,000 per dog), they have not lost a single vet to suicide. These highly trained animals are very carefully matched with their owners based on their needs, including: if the vet has a family, if they are working, if they have any disabilities, and more.
Shannon has been in this field for nearly three decades and established Mans Best Friend – Dog Training in 1997, where she continues to make a positive impact in the lives of both dogs and their owners. She originally trained using the Schutzhund methodology, a European canine sport that evaluates a dog's tracking, obedience, and protection abilities.
Shannon Walker - Guest
Shannon's LinkedIn
Northwest Battle Buddies IG account
Northwest Battle Buddies website
Julie Berman - Podcast Host & Producer
Julie Berman's LinkedIn Profile
@womencooljobs (Instagram)
www.womenwithcooljobs.com
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