Veterans Are Choosing Service Dogs as an Alternative for Dealing With PTSD
Our
military men and women bring home more than memories when they return
from deployment. The injuries they’ve sustained - both physical and
psychological - can stay with them for a lifetime. Being injured
themselves or witnessing others injured or dying, can have lasting
effects on returning veterans. Posttraumatic Stress Disorder, or PTSD, is
“is a mental health problem that some people develop after experiencing
or witnessing a life-threatening event, like combat, a natural
disaster, a car accident, or sexual assault.” The symptoms
of PTSD, which can surface immediately or take years to appear, include
sleeplessness, recurring nightmares or memories, anger, fear, feeling
numb, loss of interest in life, and suicidal thoughts. There are many
ways to treat these symptoms, but one option promises no negative side
effects - the use of service dogs.
What is a Service Dog?
A service dog
is one that is trained to specifically perform tasks for the benefit of
an individual with a physical, mental, sensory, psychiatric, or
intellectual disability. Service dogs meant specifically for PTSD
therapy, provide many benefits to their veteran companions. These dogs
provide emotional support, unconditional love, and a partner that has
the veteran’s back. Panic attacks, flashbacks, depression, and stress
subside. Many vets get better sleep knowing their dog is standing watch
through the night for them.
Service
dogs can also improve quality of life by assisting disabled vets with
daily needs. They can turn on lights, retrieve, drop items, alert to
danger, and get help in an emergency.
Taking
an active role in training and giving the dog positive feedback can
help the veteran have purpose and goals. They see that they are having a
positive impact and receiving unconditional love from the dog in
return. The dog can also be the veteran’s reason to move around, get
some exercise, or leave the house.
Bonding
with the dogs has been found to have positive biological effects
elevating levels of oxytocin, which helps overcome paranoia, improves
trust, and other important social abilities to alleviate some PTSD
symptoms. When the dogs help vets feel safe and protected, anxiety
levels, feelings of depression, drug use, violence, and suicidal thoughts decrease.
Service
dogs can also reduce medical and psychiatric costs when used as an
alternative to drug therapy. Reducing bills will reduce stress on the
veteran and their family.
How Dogs Can Have a Positive Impact on Life
Veterans with PTSD
tend to isolate themselves internally, externally, or sometimes both.
They keep others outside their wall as a defense mechanism and to feel
safe. Service dogs force interaction and help break down that barrier,
by encouraging conversation and taking the focus off the veteran. By
engaging with the dog, veterans can learn to also reconnect with family
and friends. In fact, even just boarding dogs without electing to get a
service dog can help with this for similar reasons.
Dogs
offer 24/7 unconditional love. When veterans return to civilian life
adjustment can be frustrating, as the skills that they have learned and
used in their military profession are not working well for a career back
home. The service dog will show them respect regardless of who they
are or what job they do, offering constant love and support.
Service
dogs can also foster a feeling of trust and safety in veterans. Going
through traumatic experiences overseas make it difficult for veterans to
trust their environment and harbor a feeling of safety. Living with a
service dog can promote a routine, rid the veteran of the need for
hypervigilance, and offer a sense of trustworthiness.
Relationships
are sometimes difficult after departing the military because veterans
are accustomed to giving and receiving orders. Since dogs are very responsive
to authority, they make excellent companions to veterans. And while
taking care of the dog’s needs, the veteran can also learn to recognize
and respond to the emotions of others.
Service
Dogs are also protective. They can assist the veteran by watching
their back at the atm, store, or other public place. They can provide
security and calm without judgement. The dog will offer support whether
you’ve had a bad day, or just need some company.
Not
surprisingly, The relationship between veterans and their dogs is also
life-enhancing for the dog as well. Many dogs being trained as service
dogs for vets are shelter dogs, who have also had a rough past.
Training as a service dog gives the dog purpose, love, and a secure
home. Both the veteran and the dog gain a companion, and a reprieve
from isolation, on the road to a better future.
Check out the Department of Veteran’s Affairs for information on the VA’s service dog program here.
Here are several programs that can help if you are a vet or know one who could benefit from a service dog:
TenderLovingCanines.org
No comments:
Post a Comment