(Tribune News Service) — The Fourth of July is practically synonymous with fireworks. But what is a dazzling nighttime display for some can spell terror in the hearts of others.

Veterans and pets are some of the most likely groups to be adversely affected by fireworks. For former service members like Amvets commander and Vietnam veteran Jim Duncan, they can be “unnerving” reminders of their time in the service and potential triggers for post-traumatic stress disorder.

“It was very scary, very terrifying and like being back there again,” he said, who left the U.S. Army in 1972. “It wasn’t an enjoyable thing.”

In spite of this, Duncan said he is able to handle himself if he knows there will be fireworks ahead of time.

“The Fourth of July is such an important holiday, I wouldn’t let anything like that interfere with it,” he said.

For veterans who are in the same boat as Duncan, he advised them to be aware of what might happen when fireworks go off and to spend the holiday weekend with friends and family.”

He encouraged people to continue celebrating with fireworks, but said they should be aware that their actions “may have consequences.”

“We want you to have fun and do your stuff, but you just got to be courteous,” Duncan said.

As for pets, American Humane Society cited July 5 as the largest intake date of the year for animal shelters across the U.S. More pets go missing over the Fourth of July weekend than any other time of year, CEO Robin Ganzert said.

Morgan County Animal Control officer David Long said that, for him and his colleagues, the holiday weekend is a fairly busy period even before the fireworks begin. Once they start, however, animals — particularly dogs — are more likely to get loose. The flashing lights and thundering explosions that accompany fireworks are more than enough to disorient and scare pets, he said.

“They lack any comprehension of what a firework is,” Long said. “They just hear the big ‘boom’ and get scared.”

Long advised dog owners to keep their pets on a leash while outside; for particularly skittish dogs, he suggested that they be let out earlier than usual and then brought back inside. As for cats, he said catnip might help calm their nerves and keep them manageable during fireworks.

“I think the biggest thing is don’t leave your pets alone and don’t leave them unattended,” he said.

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