Pets for Veterans Day is celebrated at a national level each year on October 21. On this day, service animals are recognized for their assistance in helping veterans rehabilitate, transition, and heal from mental and physical setbacks resulting from their deployment. This week, we highlight local service dog, Chaos, and her handler, Joey Blackmon.
Meet the Handler
Blackmon joined the U.S. Army in 2001 as a Combat Engineer with the 30th HSB Alpha Company 105th Combat Engineers serving under the 1st Infantry Division, and was deployed to Iraq as part of Operation Iraqi Freedom in 2003. His military career assignments dealt primarily with explosives and route reconnaissance, and he was tasked with clearing roadside bombs from supply routes in Iraq. During his time in service, Blackmon was diagnosed with combat PTSD and medically retired.
“I was medevacked from Iraq to Landstuhl, Germany, where I was medically retired out of service at the age of 24. After my exit out of the military, I was faced with obstacles I had no issues handling in the past, but these situations were more stressful after the war than usual,” Blackmon explained. “I found myself unable to go out to restaurants, go shopping for groceries, attend family functions, and even church.”
After enrolling in the Veterans Affairs, Blackmon was introduced to what veterans refer to as the "combat cocktail" and was prescribed over 13 medications, which did not aid his trauma from overseas, but intensified it instead, which led to suicide attempts being made.
“I failed horribly at life and as a man. After getting off all medications and clearing my head of intrusive thoughts and actions, I decided to find alternate means to cope with PTSD – a military service animal,” Blackmon stated.
In 2014, Blackmon traveled to Salisbury, North Carolina, to receive treatment at a PTSD Inpatient Treatment Program when he was introduced to his loyal service dog, Chaos – a solid black German Shepard PTSD service dog.
Intro – Chaos
Chaos and Blackmon have been inseparable since being introduced in 2014, and she has played a vital role in her handler’s life by aiding Blackmon into normal life routines such as going out into crowds or going shopping without stress - showing him that life at a "normal" rate is obtainable.
“She is trained by smell. Our bodies give off scents when happy, stressed, sad, angry, etc. Chaos targets those senses by distracting me when she detects something is wrong. She stands up and puts her paws on pressure points on my body that relieve stress. She identifies previous stressors and prevents me from approaching situations that have caused anxiety in the past. She also wakes me from flashbacks by jumping on the bed and licking my face until I awake,” Blackmon stated. “She is very knowledgeable and loving. She has been a vital asset in my recovery for over eight years.”
Military service animals, in particular, are known to be some of the best trained and highly dedicated canines to their heroes, who's given so much to ensure freedom for all.
When you see anyone with a service animal, which can be easily identified by markings on their vest, you should never approach that person and ask to pet their service animal. They are working and have a critical job to do. They may look adorable or even friendly, but distracting them from their job prevents their owner from genuinely obtaining freedom from their disability.
“Chaos’ trainer told me that if you wouldn't pet a wheelchair, you shouldn't pet a service animal - compelling words to adhere to,” Blackmon advises. “Some myths about service animals are that ‘they are just dogs’. Chaos - she is so much more than a dog. She saves lives! She is like a wheelchair for those who cannot walk. She is a crutch that sustains stability in my life.”
Blackmon described the process of receiving his now 10-year-old service dog as an easy one, thanks to a partnership with the Veterans Affairs and Paws4Soldiers - a non-profit organization that trains/retrains former Police and Military working dogs with 100 percent Service-Connected Combat Veterans. This free service is provided by the organization to qualifying veterans.
Blackmon, his wife, Erin, and their two daughters, Temperance, age 12, and Willow, age 2, have lived in Emanuel County for almost four years since purchasing their Swainsboro home in 2018.
