A WARRIOR’S BEST FRIEND HOW A RESCUE DOG CHANGED A VETERAN’S LIFE
It may not be surprising that dogs are easily America’s most popular animal companions. Nearly 66 million U.S. households have at least one, and the pet industry is expected to reach almost $360 billion by 2027. With more dogs finding new homes every year, it is critical for guardians, particularly here in Missouri, to understand the law regarding bites — and follow basic tips for keeping people safe when interacting with furry friends. LEGAL LESSONS FOR PET PARENTS If you’re a dog guardian in Missouri, you’re subject to some of the nation’s strictest laws. For one thing, the state doesn’t adhere to the “one-bite rule” that would normally relieve guardians of legal liability in a one-time incident. Additionally, someone who’s been bitten by your dog has up to five years to pursue legal action against you. COMPENSATION FOR CANINE COMPLAINTS Missouri follows the “comparative negligence rule,” which states that both the offending dog’s guardian and the victim could share fault in a bite incident. If it is shown that the person who was bitten provoked the animals or ignored signs of aggression, they may be determined to share liability — and thus be awarded less money. Strange Laws From the Show-Me State Bear Wrestling and Beyond Treats, Not Thr STAY SAFE FROM DOG
When Marine William “Bill” Lins returned home from deployments in Iraq and Afghanistan, he felt ruined.
He wasn’t the same man anymore and felt like he didn’t fit in anywhere. After sustaining multiple injuries and witnessing the horrors of battle, he never thought he would be able to go back to living a normal life. That is until the nonprofit K-9s For Warriors helped him find his missing link — a rescue dog appropriately named Link.
K-9 For Warriors has been pairing highly trained service dogs with military veterans suffering from PTSD, traumatic brain injury, and military sexual trauma since 2011. The free program strives to better the lives of veterans through special canine bonds and ultimately end veteran suicide, which claims the lives of roughly 20 veterans every day. When Bill returned from deployment, he had to recover from two surgeries and realized he had PTSD. He had developed severe alcoholism, drinking every day nonstop as his only coping mechanism. In a hopeless place, the Marine felt like he was losing every piece of his identity and had nothing left. After seeing a friend at the VA bring in his service dog, he noticed a remarkable change in him and decided to apply for the program. Bill felt an instant connection to the goofy rescue dog Link, who was recovering from his own trauma after living a rough life in a kill shelter. Bill said his canine companion is his 24/7 therapist, providing him with support and safety at all hours. Link doesn’t just impact Bill’s life; he makes a difference with everyone he encounters, from Bill’s children to the youth athletes he coaches.
From regulating at-home wrestling parties to determining how unattached men should spend their money, Missouri’s legal history is filled with surprising rules. Here are three strange laws from our state’s past and present that may make you want to avoid a certain large mammal, hug your spouse, or refine your child’s chore list. BE CAUTIOUS OF WHO CARRIES THE TRASH. No responsible adult would willingly provide a minor with alcohol, but Missouri parents may be doing exactly that
“Together, we kind of make each other whole,” Bill said. “He makes everyone’s world better, and he makes it seem effortless.”
Link has inspired Bill to help others and spread a message of awareness that asking for help is not a sign of weakness but a symbol of strength. Bill has since earned his master’s in social work and provides mental health services with his tail-wagging companion by his side for every session.
Together, the pair are showing veterans everywhere that there is hope and that life can get better with a little help from a four-legged friend.
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