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"When troops return from war, the world can look very different.Post-traumatic stress disorder can make holding a job, enjoying activities or leaving the house nearly impossible.The troops face life and death and constant risk while in combat, which makes coming home hard for many veterans.Ray Schroeder of South Middleton Township said he just wasn't the same after tours of duty in Iraq and Afghanistan.\"I wasn't really doing much with my life after coming back from Iraq,\" Schroeder said. \"The world was a different place after that. Medication wasn't doing it on its own, I needed another source, an outlet.\"That's when Schroeder said a dog saved his life.\"I went with my wife and said, 'Let's try it and see if it works. And sure enough, it has,\" Schroeder said.The Order of the Eastern Star has been helping Susquehanna Service Dogs provide the pals of a lifetime for no cost.Organizers said the dogs can help with post-traumatic stress and brain injury in extraordinary ways.\"They may have a fast heart rate. They may have a panic attack. The dogs are going to alert them ahead of time,\" said Jo-Anne Karnes the Order of the Eastern Star Service Dog Chairwoman.Some people may be skeptical, but organizers said the four-legged therapists have something you can't get with medication.The service dogs are well-trained, Karnes said.\"I love animals and I love dogs, but I never thought it would take me to this level that I'm at now,\" Schroeder said.The Order of the Eastern Star donated $65,000 to Susquehanna Service Dogs in York Monday night.Training one dog can cost as much as $20,000."^^<http://www.w3.org/2001/XMLSchema#string>
<http://www.wgal.com/article/dogs-help-soldiers-returning-from-combat/6221311>