The Courier & Advertiser (Perth and Perthshire Edition)
Therapet Keda a true hero
With their pleading eyes, huggability and loyalty, it’s no surprise dogs are considered man’s best friend. But some, such as military working labrador Keda, go above and beyond to save lives, as Gayle Ritchie discovers We take the pulse of the NHS at 70 –
With her soft brown eyes and gentle, loving nature, Keda is proof not all heroes are human. The nine-year-old labrador saved countless lives sniffing out roadside bombs during tours of duty in Afghanistan and now helps injured servicemen and women with their recovery.
Her owner, army captain Susie Wilkie, 30, works with Keda at the Edinburgh Personnel Recovery Centre helping veterans — some with lifechanging injuries and conditions such as post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) — reintegrate into civilian life.
“Keda served her country and she’s still serving now — albeit in a less dangerous capacity,” says Susie, who lives in Dunfermline with her husband, Ian.
“A lot of men and women who come through our doors are dealing with more than just physical scars, and they’re sometimes reticent to open up and talk.
“Some attention from Keda soon had people, who had been struggling, to calm down and talk more.”
Susie, a personnel recovery officer, applied to rehome a military working dog in 2015, when she was based in Aldershot and living in the garrison officers’ mess.
“I knew I wanted to be able to take my new dog into work with me,” she recalls.
“I wanted an older dog who would be calm and sociable. I’m also a big supporter of ‘adopt don’t shop’, encouraging the rehoming of dogs wherever possible.”
Susie specifically wanted a labrador, believing the breed to be quieter, softer and steadier. Chocolate labrador Keda was just perfect.
“She’s an unusual colour, size and shape because she’s an American-style lab who started life in Colorado,” says Susie.
“In 2010, the IED threat was huge, so the army bulk-bought dogs in from the USA, including Keda.
“She was in Afghanistan as a search dog, sniffing out roadside bombs, for three years.”
Rather than retiring, Keda went on to become an unofficial “therapet” at Susie’s workplace, the Edinburgh Personnel Recovery Centre, which covers all of Scotland.
“We assist wounded, injured and sick soldiers in their recovery, whether that’s back to active service or transitioning out of the army through medical discharge,” says Susie.
“Keda is a true human-lover, in the same way as many humans are proper dog-lovers.
“She seems able to read a person in an instant and know if they want a cuddle or just a wagging tail and a head on their lap.
“She’s able to calm down those with PTSD and put them in a relaxed place.
“Hopefully, other soldiers or veterans with PTSD may consider volunteering with or, if possible, getting a dog themselves, as they can have a hugely positive therapeutic effect.
“It’s also great to raise awareness that retired service dogs can be rehomed by people who aren’t their handlers and go on to do wonderful things.”
For information on ex-military working dogs, see the Facebook page of Hero Paws – Life AFTER Service.
It’s a non-profit organisation trying to provide military working dogs with happy retirements through rehabilitation and retraining.
She’s able to calm down those with PTSD and put them in a relaxed place