War veterans find peace of mind with pets

For too many veterans, the battles don't end when they come home from war. Combat stress has no easy cure. But one vet found peace was a lot closer than he thought and now he's helping others find it, too. CBS News correspondent Chip Reid has his story.

Dave Sharpe calls his pit bull Cheyenne his savior, and that's no exaggeration. When she was just a puppy, she saved his life

Sharpe served with the U.S. Air Force security forces in Saudi Arabia and Pakistan. After two near-death experiences, he returned home with severe post-traumatic stress disorder.

"Before I met her, I was a wreck," said Sharpe. "I was out of control, I would start fights for no reason."

Deeply depressed and filled with rage, he decided to end his misery with his pistol.

"[I] cocked it back, put it right in my mouth and I sat there and cried for about a minute or two," Sharpe recalled. "I was this close to pulling the trigger."

That's when Cheyenne, who was then six months old, came to his rescue.

"She came up behind me and she licked my ear, said Sharpe. "And she gave me this look of, 'What are you doing man, who's going to let me sleep in your bed? Listen, if you take care of me, I'll take care of you.'"

Sharpe realized at that moment he had something to live for. But he didn't stop there, as he decided that what saved him might save others like him

Dave Sharpe and his dog Cheyenne pose during the 2nd Annual White House Pet Correspondents benefit at Art and Soul's Pooch Patio, April 28, 2011, in Washington, DC.

(Credit: Kris Connor/Getty Images)

So he started Pets2Vets, now known as P2V, an organization that has put dozens injured veterans together with their own four-legged saviors -- dogs and cats. P2V makes sure it's a good match, provides training, even pays for the pet's health insurance.

The pets come from a shelter in Washington, D.C., so the rescuing goes both ways. Veterans get a desperately needed companion and some of these guys get a new lease on life.

Marine Sergeant Jimmy Childers lost a leg to a roadside bomb in Afghanistan that also caused traumatic brain injury. He was prone to angry outbursts -- until P2V paired him with Tidus

"Just his look gives me all the answers that I want to calm me down," said Childers.

Childers looked into getting a trained service dog, but was told it would take more than a year. Anyway he says, that's not what he needed. "I don't need a dog to grab my prosthetic leg. I don't need that."

But Tidus gives him what he does need. "He gives me back unconditional love, no judgment," said Childers.

Sharpe said the demand is never-ending on both sides

"There's 18 veterans that commit suicide every day in this country," he said, "and one animal is put to sleep every eight seconds."

Dave Sharpe puts the two together to save each others' lives

For information on P2V, click here to visit their website.

[martysmom2011]

To Mr. Sharpe and all who have fought in wars:

I know the time spent in warfare and the stress that you had to deal with afterward as you mentioned was very difficult.
I just wanted to pass on something positive to add to the positive that you are creating.

No doubt the war you fought in and many others could have been prevented.

But just keep in mind that the Bible does say that God will make "wars to cease to the extremity of the earth." (Psalms46:9)
I look forward to this time and I know you do as well.

So try to keep promises like these in mind as you continue to cope with stress that you have been placed under.

Please take care and I wish you the best.

Sincerely,

ACH

[sgt_josh]

As an OIF vet who adopted his best buddy from WARL (the shelter in the video), I have to say P2V is an incredible organization. My dog - who himself had mental health issues in the beginning - was able to help me as I helped him. I know it sounds cheesy, but hey, everyone's got to work out their issues in their own way. Some turn to the bottle, others to drugs. Some keep everything to themselves until it's too late. Some claim to 'find god' - and that's fine if it works for you... but others (like me) need something a little more tangible (and furry). Pets 2 Vets provides that option. You guys are great.

[dukeudevil]

Cheyenne, you own a very good man there in your human, Mr. Sharpe. (And you're no less a very decent being yourself, Cheyenne.)

[Harden_Tar]

I have a stressful job. Not anywhere near as stressful as what these young people are going through. But I will tell you when I get home and my dogs see me and look at me with joy just because I walked through the door, the stress just melts away. If I can donate to this outfit, I am going to, and I recommend that activity to all.

[busterdawggy]

by rightiesarewrong July 26, 2011 1:09 AM EDT
got your arms blown off in iraq? train you dog to open the fridge and get a beer for you!..dont forget the straw fido!

===============

Not funny at all, actually tasteless. Service dogs can in fact be taught to open refrigerators and cabinets and bring, for example, a soda to a diabetic suffering a low blood sugar. They can bring their masters medicine as well.

Regarding the article, it is wonderful that animals can provide emotional support for people with PTSD, but full-fledged service dogs can be used as well - the type of dog that can go in a store or restaurant. They provide help with many PTSD symptoms - assisting with agoraphobia, "keeping your back" in the middle of a crowded room, help with balance and mobility because of side effects of meds, comfort during loud noises, the list goes on.

So thank you to this soldier for his organization. I do know a bit about service dogs - I have one, a beautiful golden retriever named Buster.

[spitbucketbaptismo]

Well done Airman. You are the reason Americans can be proud of this nation and our service boys and girls. That is not meant as disrespect. Bless you son.

[slatep]

GOD BLESS YOU MR. SHARPE.!!

I've had animals all my life and know what it is to receive unconditional love.

I'm sure you have saved even more lives than you know by bringing to light the actual number of veterans who commit suicide every day.

I hope Veterans organizations all over the country will see this and start groups in their areas.

I also hope CBS will repeat this and similar stories from time to time to remind people of just how beneficial animals can be to those who are suffering.

[Pibbles]

Thank you, Mr. Sharpe, for your honorable duty to our country and for your mission to save people and animals. Adopted pets are the best, they are grateful and pay you back a thousand times over.

I'm glad that you discovered the magic of pit bulls too. I love all types of dogs, but 'pits' hold a special place in my heart.

[RealiteBites]

Pets are a gift from God :)

I NEVER get tired of pet stories - keep 'em coming CBS!! Well done :)

[News-Skeptic]

Not only are dogs "the best" but Bob Schieffer is the best journalist on TV too (and there aren't many left)! I especially like his Face the Nation commentaries - I wiser man cannot be found in this crazy world - if only there could be more like him in the world, it would be a much nicer and more sensible place to live!