July 2009

“Dog Tags” Puppies behind Bars – Service Dogs

July 13, 2009 — olotliny

I read an article today from the Wall Street Journal http://online.wsj.com/article/SB124727385749826169.html on a program from “Puppies behind Bars” that trains service dogs for different jobs-one of which is for daily assistance for Veterans who have post traumatic stress. Very impressive and needed. Champion dogs for heroes. The dog is trained and has to pass testing and certification. The dog mentioned in the story – Tuesday learned 82+ commands to assist with daily living and responds to the anxiety cues/clues of their person–helping them to normalize their breathing, creating a barrier between their person and the agitating sensory stimuli… Check out the article and site. What a great program. The WSJ has a video embedded in the story–just watch the interaction-it’s real.

http://www.puppiesbehindbars.com/about_service.asp

“To apply for a service dog, please contact Puppies Behind Bars at 212.680.9562 and we will refer you to the appropriate service dog school with whom we have a partnership.”

Posted in 9-11, IAVA, Post Tramatic Stress, support the troops, Veterans, Video, wounded warrior. Tags: Post Traumatic Stress, Service Dogs. 2 Comments »

Three New Navy Ships =)

July 7, 2009 — olotliny

Three New Navy Ships :

USS REAGAN
Seeing it next to the Arizona Memorial really puts its size into perspective… ENORMOUS!

When the Bridge pipes ‘Man the Rail’ there is a lot of rail to man on this monster: shoulder to shoulder, around 4.5 acres. Her displacement is about 100,000 tons with full complement.

Capability

Top speed exceeds 30 knots, powered by two nuclear reactors that can operate for more tha n 20 years without refueling

1. Expected to operate in the fleet for about 50 years

2. Carries over 80 combat aircraft

3. Three arresting cables can stop a 28-ton aircraft going 150 miles per hour in less than 400 feet

Size

1. Towers 20 stories above the waterline

2. 1092 feet long; nearly as long as the Empire State Building is tall

3. Flight deck covers 4.5 acres

4. 4 bronze propellers, each 21 feet across, weighing 66,200 pounds

5. 2 rudders, each 29 by 22 feet and weighing 50 tons

6. 4 high speed aircraft elevators, each over 4,000 square feet

Capacity

1. Home to about 6,000 Navy personnel

2. Carries enough food and supplies to operate for 90 days

3. 18,15 0 meals served daily

4. Distillation plants provide 400,000 gallons of fresh water from sea water daily, enough for 2,000 homes

5. Nearly 30,000 light fixtures and 1,325 miles of cable and wiring 1,400 telephones

6.. 14,000 pillowcases and 28,000 sheets

7. Costs the Navy approximately $250,000 per day for pier side operation

8. Costs the Navy approximately $25 million per day for underway operations (Sailor’s salaries included).

USS BILL CLI NTON

The USS William Jefferson Clinton (CVS1) set sail today from its home port of Vancouver , BC .

The ship is the first of its kind in the Navy and is a standing legacy to President Bill Clinton ‘for his foresight in military budget cuts’ and his conduct while holding the (formerly dignified) office of President.

The ship is constructed nearly entirely from recycled aluminum and is completely solar powered with a top speed of 5 knots.
It boasts an arsenal comprised of one (unarmed) F14 Tomcat or one (unarmed) F18 Hornet aircra ft which, although they cannot be launched on the 100 foot flight deck, form a very menacing presence.

As a standing order there are no firearms allowed on board.

This crew, like the crew aboard the USS Jimmy Carter, is specially trained to avoid conflicts and appease any and all enemies of the United States at all costs.

An onboard Type One DNC Universal Translator can send out messages of apology in any language to anyone who may find America offensive. The number of apologies are limitless and though some may seem hollow and disingenuous, advises all apologies &n bsp;will sound very sincere.

In times of conflict, the USS Clinton has orders to seek refuge in Canada ..