Today's installment takes its cue from "Psychiatric service dogs use senses to aid owners" by Carol Ann Alaimo, Arizona Daily Star.
Watching Their Backs
A quiet wolfhound reads a ragged breath,
A nervous heart, and hidden signs of fear.
And even though it sees no sign of death,
It works to keep a soldier calm and clear
Against the battles raging on inside.
The stresses veterans have carried home,
Immune to drugs and therapies they've tried,
Retreat before companions trained to roam
Beside the troubled steps of humankind,
To lick a face or paw a light switch on,
A psychiatric service dog inclined
To chase the nightmares off, its mission done.
New research grants bring canine care to heal,
To find and fetch a peace of mind that's real.
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