402nd FA chaplain builds resiliency through unconventional means

Courtesy Photo | Maj. Karen Hallett, Mobilization Training Center Bliss chaplain, stares off into the distance as she awaits her flight to Kuwait to pass off Zac, chaplain service dog, to his new handler. (Photo by Sgt. 1st Class David Parish, Mobilization Training Center Bliss Public Affairs)  

BIGGS ARMY AIRFIELD, TX, UNITED STATES

09.19.2014

Courtesy Story

First Army Division West

By Capt. John Brimley
Mobilization Training Center Bliss Public Affairs

BIGGS ARMY AIRFIELD, Texas – After arriving at Fort Bliss, Texas, Zac lay around the chaplain’s office. He only did what Zoey did, and Zoey only did what the chaplain allowed her to do, so he was really just following the example set for him.

You see, Zac and Zoey are service dogs assigned to Chap. (Maj.) Karen Hallett of the Mobilization Training Center, Fort Bliss, Texas and were trained to help treat Soldiers with traumatic event management and post-traumatic stress.

Though it seems insignificant to most, Zac’s mere presence is fulfillment enough for some Soldiers, and although he appears to be lying down on the job, that’s sort of what he was trained to do.

Hallett provides spiritual guidance, as well as religious services to MTC Bliss Soldiers and other deploying service members. She’s also involved in the training of chaplain teams preparing to deploy.

“I think I’m a very good chaplain,” Hallett said.

“But I see people every day because they want to pet Zoey,” she added.

The dogs give her an opportunity with Soldiers she otherwise wouldn’t have.

“I’ve treated Soldiers with severe PTSD. I’ve tried several times to have conversations with them to open up. One Soldier saw Zoey outside of my door and it turned into an hour and a half conversation,” Hallett said. “The Soldier still comes into my office to check on Zoey and that’s how I keep tabs on him and his treatment and recovery,” she added.

Hallett has become well known for her travels with Zoey, and with a reputation that precedes them, Zac is on his way to stardom as well. For example, in Afghanistan, Hallett became known as that “Chaplain with the dog.”

Hallett recently traveled with Zac to Kuwait for hand-off to another chaplain team whom she helped train several months ago.

“Chaplains I train see me with a service dog and want to deploy with one as well,” Hallett said.

Working dogs don’t typically get assigned to chaplains because it’s not in the regulations. However, Hallett was able to get approval for Zoey and so was the chaplain team for Zac, which is a big step.

Donated by the American Legion, Zac’s name holds special meaning.

“He was named for [Airman 1st Class] Zachary Cuddeback,” Hallett added.

Cuddeback was killed in 2011 during a shooting at the Frankfurt Airport in Germany while awaiting transportation to Ramstein Air Base.

Cuddeback was on his way to Afghanistan and so is Zac. While Zac’s mission will be different than Cuddeback’s, his services will be used to help Cuddeback’s brothers and sisters-in-arms.

Zoey has become a staple at MTC Bliss with her black coat and friendly demeanor, but just as much as she’s noticed physically, her work with Soldiers around the brigade is noticed as well. That’s the expectation for Zac both overseas and once he redeploys as well.

• Date Taken: 09.19.2014
• Date Posted: 09.19.2014 15:29
• Story ID: 142754
• Location: BIGGS ARMY AIRFIELD, TX, US