Be mindful of dogs and veterans with PTSD this summer holiday season
PRINCETON, WV (WVNS) – Summer is a fun time of year, with holidays like Juneteenth, West Virginia Day, and Independence Day all falling within weeks of each other.
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During these summertime holidays, it is generally tradition to shoot the biggest and best fireworks to celebrate our great state and nation. However, the loud noise made by fireworks may have harmful effects on some.
Fireworks stand operator Jessica Basham said, “We actually lost a dog on the Fourth of July two years ago. He was in a kennel. We don’t know if it was fireworks…it could have been something else. So, we know what it’s like to think that maybe we lost a pet because he was scared of the fireworks.”
Not only can dogs be affected by fireworks, but veterans suffering from PTSD and sound sensitivity can also be negatively affected.
Mercer County Commission President, Bill Archer told 59News, “If you have veterans in your community, please do not sound off fireworks extensively. [You can maybe do some that are] a little bit lightweight. To a lot of them it puts them right back in the middle of combat and it’s a challenge for them to get through those difficult times.”
Basham added, “Get to know your [neighbors] and then let them know what times you’re going to be doing it and that way they can leave or turn the music up or something so that they’re not affected by that.”
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As we celebrate all these great holidays, please respect others by being more conscientious of them.
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