Combating stress with wags and pats Published May 20, 2011 By Senior Airman Tong Duong 332nd Air Expeditionary Wing Public Affairs JOINT BASE BALAD, Iraq -- Sgt. 1st Class Zach sat poised as the female Airman told him about her day. While she ran her fingers through his golden blond hair, Zach raised an eyebrow to others in the room, as if to say "I'm the man." So how did Zach get her to spill the beans? Was it the complexion of his hair or sad droopy eyes? Zach is the newest member of the 98th Medical Combat Stress Control Detachment deployed from Joint Base Lewis-McChord, Wash. The 16-month old Labrador and Golden Retriever mix is the eight military therapy dog deployed by the Army. Along with psychiatrists, psychologists and nurses, they are here to help servicemembers deal with the stress of deployment. Army Sgt. Brian Christman, 98th Medical Detachment Mental Health noncommissioned officer in charge and Zach visited Airmen during a First Four Junior Enlisted Council meeting, to talk about Zach's role and the programs they offered. Prevention classes ranged from anger and stress management, combat and operational stress control, smoking cessation and warrior resiliency. Sergeant Christman said servicemembers stay longer and open up more to the mental health team when Zach is around, something many are reluctant to do. Zach rarely barks orders, but puts his paws down and demands a water bottle to chew on or a rope for tug-of-war, in exchange for his service. For more prevention class information, contact Sgt. Brian Christman, 483-3385.