Advertisement 'Dogs of War' filmed in New Mexico TV show focuses on vets and their service dogs Share Shares Copy Link Copy

A new cable show that focuses on veterans and their service dogs was shot in New Mexico, and now the people involved are speaking up.Paws and Stripes, a nonprofit based out of Rio Rancho, was founded by veteran Jim and Lindsey Stanek. The organization finds rescue dogs, even ones that have been neglected or abused, trains and pairs them with service men and women who suffer from post-traumatic stress disorder or a traumatic brain injury. The dogs are able to sense if that veteran's anxiety is too high, if they've blacked out and can even remind the individual to take medication.The organization is unique in that it takes dogs from Animal Humane New Mexico."Isolated, doesn't get a chance to socialize, not getting the opportunity to show or give love. That's your dog stuck in a shelter. It's also how I was when I came home," Jim Stanek explained. "So we're basically, how I say it, pairing two mutts together."Stanek said it's amazing to watch a sad, lonely dog turn around and be so loyal to their owner."They just need a job," he said. "Whether it's cheering you up or running around in the backyard and putting a smile on your face or being a service dog."Paws and Stripes has paired more than 50 dogs with veterans so far and they have a waiting list of about 200 more people.A&E found interest in the organization and started taping their new docu-series, "Dogs of War," in the spring of 2014."Some of the days were longer than I think I expected," Sam Blankenship, Animal Humane New Mexico's adoption director, laughed. "But it really truly is a reality-based show. I think that is what caught me off guard. I've always been told that reality TV is scripted but if we missed a moment, we missed a moment, we never went back and tried to reenact anything."Blakenship helps finds the rescue dogs that Paws and Stripes needs. He said he is most excited to see their dogs make a full transformation."It's like watching your kids," he said.Stanek said the most important part about "Dogs of War" is that veterans are finally getting some recognition. He said he is also happy that this will be a learning experience for the public, since too often people look at those suffering from PTSD as crazy."We're not crazy. I tell vets all the time, we're normal for what we've been through," he said.Dogs of War airs on A&E on Veterans Day at 8 p.m. The show will then air on Sundays afterward.Lyndsey Stanek said she is thankful for the opportunity and for the support they've received. Because they're a nonprofit, all of the work they do is funded through donations. For more information about their organization, visit www.pawsandstripes.org.17267662See Veterans Day photos on u local