Service Dogs Save Lives through Protecting, Serving, and Love.
Herschel's Helpers was founded in May, 2019.
Just months before the COVID-19 pandemic, class consciousness was reaching a mental health endemic.
The COVID-19 pandemic further separated, isolated, and hurt millions of people; physically, emotionally, and spiritually.
Founder Devon Flynn refers to the health crisis of America as reflective of the mental health state of our country.
She believes that dogs are the gift to mankind from God, to love and protect. Unlike cats, they are truly part of the pack, and thrive on the opportunity to serve humanity alongside their favorite person. In the home or out in the world, dogs are man's greatest gift.
Dogs have always been known for their loyalty and love. The love between a dog and their favorite person is akin to human familial relationships of healthy nature.
Did you know? The "most dangerous breeds," are dangerous by nurture, not nature.
- The American Terrier and Staffordshire Terrier, otherwise known as Pitbull/Bully
- The German Shepherd
- The Argentenian Mastiff
- The Cane Corso
- The Doberman
- The Rottweiler
- Wolf hybrids
- The Huskie and Malamute
- The Boxer
- The Saint Bernard
What is common about all of these breeds?
- They were originally bred to protect livestock, children, and guard property/land.
- They all have a powerful jaw, biting force. They are considered dangerous because a bite is likely to maim, or kill. However, these are all preventative injuries, and it is irresponsible to blame the animal. It disregards our responsibility as higher-thinking mammals.
- They all have high energy and prefer active lives.
Why are they considered dangerous? Human sloth, lack of personal responsibility; and lack of intervention and connection.
If behavior issues go unaddressed, or if a dog ends up in a shelter due to a traumatic event, they are on death row. It is unethical and inhumane that we kill someone instead of sending it to therapy.
Alas, it is the American way. As above, so below. As with humans, unto animals.
Did you know? The most aggressive breeds according to Forbes survey 2024, following the uptick in adoptions during COVID-19 lockdown, are...
Chihuahuas
Beagles
Poodles
Labradors
Some statistics to refer:
- The 2019 report estimates "568,000 people were experiencing homelessness in January 2019, which reflects a 3% increase since 2018 but a 12% decrease since 2007. Although the number of people staying in sheltered locations fell by 0.5% between 2018 and 2019, the number of people unsheltered rose by 9%."
(NLICH.ORG) - "Women not only have a longer life expectancy than men at birth but also a longer Healthy Life Expectancy at birth (64.8 years, versus 62.0); and at age 60 years (16.8 versus, 14.8 years). However, the number of equivalent years of full health lost through living in unhealthy states is also larger in men than women (9.5 years, versus 7.8 years.)
- "Breast cancer (0.30 years), maternal conditions (0.23 years) and cervical cancer (0.15) are the causes of death that have the strongest effect in lowering female global life expectancy in comparison with male global life expectancy.
- "Men’s reduced life expectancy compared with women is not due to a single or a small number of causes. Of the 40 leading causes of death, 33 causes contribute more to reduced life expectancy in men than in women.
- "The causes of death that most contribute to a lower life expectancy for men than women are ischaemic heart disease (0.84 years), road injuries (0.47), lung cancer (0.40), chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (0.36), stroke (0.32), cirrhosis of the liver (0.27), tuberculosis (TB) (0.23), prostate cancer (0.22) and interpersonal violence (0.21)." {World Health Statistics 2019}