Page 7 - March ARB Beacon 11-20-15

wwTwfha.caeeebrBootoeekca.hcncoemow/nsT.ecaommM/maarrcchharb November 20, 2015 7

Dog, not diamonds are this girl’s best friend

by Tech. Sgt. Joseph McKee by having a service dog may help those U.S. Air National Guard photo/Tech. Sgt. Joseph McKee
163 ATKW public affairs veterans who have a difficult time being
in a crowd or unfamiliar place. Penelope, wearing her service dog vest, poses for a photograph, November 1,
They say diamonds are a girl’s best 2015, at her home in Redlands, California. Penelope, owned by former Air Force
friend, but Violet Mach, former Air- “Being able to bring my dog places member Violet Mach, and companion dogs like her, can help their veteran-own-
man, favors Penelope, her service dog. that dogs wouldn’t ordinarily be al- ers cope with stress and the symptoms of Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder.
lowed allows me to feel more secure
Returning home from deployment and makes me want to go in places PTSD, it does provide veterinary care cally necessary. To learn more visit
can be a difficult journey, both physi- that would not feel comfortable with- for service dogs that are deemed medi- va.gov and search “service dogs.”
cally and emotionally. Veterans who out her,” said Mach. “Smelling her,
had traumatic experiences while de- touching her, just being with her
ployed can feel alienated from family makes the stress of situations melt
and friends who may not have shared away, a feeling I didn’t have before
those experiences. In such cases, the having my service dog.”
companionship of a dog may improve
the veteran’s mood and help with If you are looking for a service or
stress by providing judgment-free an emotional-support dog, do I internet
companionship. search for “service dogs for veterans”
and carefully research any organiza-
Veterans who are diagnosed with tions you contact. Only get a dog if you
Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder are confident it is well trained and you
(PTSD) may especially experience have the ability to care for your com-
those benefits. panion. You need to be there for your
canine battle buddy because he or she
“My service dog allows me to live will be there for you.
with my PTSD with less stress,” said
Mach. “When I have a trigger, she dis- The good news is that although the
tracts me, allowing my mind to focus Veterans Administration does not cur-
on her and not on the stressfulness of rently provide service dogs for physical
a situation.” or mental health conditions, including

Additionally, the security provided

Military kids meet TV’s “Supergirl” and cast

by George A. Smith

AFN public affairs

Scores of military children at Naval Base

Coronado, California, watched the new televi-

sion hit “Supergirl” and met the stars of the

CBS show before its broadcast debut this

month. “Supergirl” cast members visited

Coronado before the program first aired on

American television, and according to Nielsen

ratings, episode one had the best ratings of a

new show debut this fall.

“I’m stoked,” said one boy.

“It’s not like you get to meet a famous

person every day,” explained a smiling,

teenage girl.

“Wonder Woman!” shouted a confused

four-year-old girl.

“We’re really appreciative of them showing

some love to the Sailors and their families. The

kids love this and the parents love it,” said Capt.

Stephen Barnett, commanding officer, NBC.

More than 500 people showed up to

watch the sneak peak of the show and meet DMA photo/Keren Olsen

“Supergirl” actress, Melissa Benoist, said The American Forces Broadcast Center’s Robert Sekula, interviews a young fan at Coronado Naval Air Base, Cali-
Brandon Workman, NBC Morale, Welfare fornia, November 2015. The CNAB military audience was treated to a sneak peak of the new CBS show, “Supergirl,”

and Recreation . and a meet and greet with its stars before it aired.

“‘Supergirl’ was the biggest draw (and)

there were several younger girls who came of the sneak preview was a fortunate accident. could cover it.”

in costume and posed for pictures with her,” he said. “We were driving to another shoot when we saw The AFN Broadcast Center-Riverside, located on

“Miss Benoist took time for each of them and pro- the theater marquee promoting the sneak peek the the former March Air Force Base, is a mission part-

vided a positive role-model for kids to look up to.” next day,” said Robert Sekula, AFN producer. “We ner of the current March Air Reserve Base.

The American Forces Network’s (AFN) coverage made some calls and re-arranged our schedule so we “Supergirl” airs on CBS, Mondays at 8 p.m.