Service Dogs for PTSD

SSgt Private RallyPoint Member — Thu, 09 Jul 2015 19:12:20 -0400

I was curious about the community's opinion on the overall effectiveness of a service dog for PTSD. I personally have a dog he is not trained to be a service dog but have found him to be useful in dealing with my PTSD. I have been considering seeing if there is special training I can put him through for further benefit or even investing in a trained dog. It would be nice to hear from anyone who has encountered one and can put some perspective on the topic.

Response by CW5 Sam R. Baker made Jul 9 at 2015 7:15 PM

CW5 Sam R. Baker — Thu, 09 Jul 2015 19:15:25 -0400

Everyone whom I have seen, witnessed and talked to really enjoys the presence of "Man's best friend". My mother was in a retirement home and weekly some service dogs would come through and really cheer the place up. These dogs had to be trained and approved for this type of service. Now if you wish to have a personal service dog, I am not sure of the training you can get or have. I do know that some service dogs (veterans) can be had these days who are also trained and in need of a family.

Response by PO3 Nichalas Enser made Jul 9 at 2015 7:50 PM

PO3 Nichalas Enser — Thu, 09 Jul 2015 19:50:56 -0400

You are not alone, SSgt Private RallyPoint Member . Have heard great stories from folks with a wide variety of ailments, in fact. Not only dogs... but cats, to a certain extent, too.

One thing that is tough is that 'emotional-support animals' are not afforded the legal access of full-blown 'service animals', where a trained service animal, who alerts for seizures, helps guide those with sight impairments, et cetera is allowed to travel anywhere with their handler (with very few exceptions).

Emotional support animals *may* be granted access to some places, with a letter from a licensed psychiatrist or clinical socialworker - however, there are few actual rights.

Although the VA does not offer service dogs for those with PTSD as a stand-alone ailment, research is underway (and it looks promising!). If folks have co-ailments, such as blindness or other physical issues, and is deemed medically-nececary, the VA will provide for the healthcare of the service animal, but they do not provide them (yet). See http://www.ptsd.va.gov/public/treatment/cope/dogs_and_ptsd.asp

For more background, see:
http://www.elementsbehavioralhealth.com/trauma-ptsd/animal-therapy-ptsd-treatment/
http://www.smithsonianmag.com/science-nature/how-dogs-can-help-veterans-overcome-ptsd-137582968/
https://www.ptsdnews.com/purdue-researchers-study-impact-of-service-dogs-on-ptsd/171/

Some interesting studies pair service members with PTSD with military canines who also exhibit signs of PTSD (yes, it is possible for animals to have PTSD, too). There have been some intriguing stories about this, such as: http://www.vancouversun.com/health/Iraq+veteran+combat+helping+each+other+heal+from+PTSD+needs/11194663/story.html

Best of luck to you, and to all of our brothers and sisters who are moving through any type of stress disorder!

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For too long, we ignored the facts about PTSD and things are changing. Thankfully, there is help available.

If *anyone* encounters situations that they cannot explain, after returning, or has thoughts of self-harm, for the love of all things, PLEASE, reach out to your family/friends, the VA, your nearest base, religious group, local mental health professional, or even here, at RP. Surely we will do what we can to help!

24/7 help via [login to see] or 911

Dogs and PTSD - PTSD: National Center for PTSD

Describes dogs as pets, service animals, and emotional support animals and discusses what is known about the role of dogs in PTSD recovery.

Response by SSgt Private RallyPoint Member made Jul 9 at 2015 7:53 PM

SSgt Private RallyPoint Member — Thu, 09 Jul 2015 19:53:35 -0400

You wouldn't happen to be able to point in the right direction of the service dogs that are in need of a home. I was unaware that the military releases them from duty. It is definitely something that I would like to look into. Thank you for taking the time to comment.

Response by LTC John Shaw made Jul 9 at 2015 9:24 PM

LTC John Shaw — Thu, 09 Jul 2015 21:24:57 -0400

SSgt Private RallyPoint Member I don't have a service dog, just a hound from the pound. My dog Luke is a 80 lbs Shephard/Husky mix. ('Shepusky' is that a breed, probably not!)
I have found he makes sure I wake up at 6 am, we walk together and eat breakfast and dinner almost every day. This means I walk at least 1.5-2.0 miles, sometimes twice or three times a day.
So in short: 1) helps daily scheduling of sleep/wake time, 2) exercise each day, 3) I eat less, because he always wants my food.

Response by Sgt Mathew Meyer made Aug 17 at 2015 9:39 PM

Sgt Mathew Meyer — Mon, 17 Aug 2015 21:39:25 -0400

While working a veterans job fair at the St. Paul XCel center for ESGR earlier this year I met a veteran who had severe PTSD. He had a great dane with him that he trained and certified as a service dog. The dog was attached to a belt around the vets waist and when he would have an anxiety attack, the dog would physically pull him to a quiet area and pin him against the wall/corner to calm him down until the attack passed. Apparently the veteran was in the process of training a few other great danes for the same purpose. Unfortunately I do not have his name/contact info.

Response by LCDR Private RallyPoint Member made Aug 17 at 2015 10:04 PM

LCDR Private RallyPoint Member — Mon, 17 Aug 2015 22:04:54 -0400

Without being too revealing of someone elses privacy I know a couple of people who cannot function without their service dogs. Their usefulness cannot be overstated.

Response by PFC Sandra Wade made Apr 6 at 2018 1:40 AM

PFC Sandra Wade — Fri, 06 Apr 2018 01:40:01 -0400

Beautiful dog. With one look I can feel him

Response by SSgt Sean Brown made Apr 6 at 2018 2:00 AM

SSgt Sean Brown — Fri, 06 Apr 2018 02:00:55 -0400

Don't fuck around with PTSD; it's a much over-prescribed ailment at the VA, and rarely questioned, so now you have these guys & gals who spent six months getting 100% VA Service- Connected Disability, and that's ridiculous! Trump just fired his last moronic VA Secretary, and installed an even bigger fucking moron in his place! There's no money, and no real care for us! So if you didn't actually waste someone in combat, quit the PTSD shit, find something else to whine about, but quit destroying the real pain of us who killed!

Response by PFC Sandra Wade made Feb 13 at 2019 10:58 PM

PFC Sandra Wade — Wed, 13 Feb 2019 22:58:58 -0500

I received my English yellow lab SD about 5 months ago. He is a pretty smart guy. He gets my medicine for me, closes the door , turns lights on and off. Picks up things for me... Hes a good kid 2 yrs 6 months old. His name is Pharrell

Response by SGT Private RallyPoint Member made Dec 3 at 2019 4:00 PM

SGT Private RallyPoint Member — Tue, 03 Dec 2019 16:00:24 -0500

My daughter's God Father's pups, looking at them can help.

Response by CPL Private RallyPoint Member made Dec 26 at 2019 12:18 AM

CPL Private RallyPoint Member — Thu, 26 Dec 2019 00:18:39 -0500

I have a service dog her name is trust I don't know what I would do without her She's extremely helpful in so many ways and is my recommendation to anyone who suffers from P TSD or any other injury to obtain a service dog

Response by PV2 Anna M. Cross made Feb 14 at 2020 1:52 AM

PV2 Anna M. Cross — Fri, 14 Feb 2020 01:52:39 -0500

I am currently going to class, twice a week, training my service dog Maverick. He has been a blessing. We've have only trained together since Aug. He is constantly being praised, for his good behavior. He helps me so much, and his help increases weekly with more training and commands taught. A Veterans Best Friend, in Cabot, AR. Is a non-profit Christian organization that is training us!!

Response by CPL Jason Northedge made Aug 5 at 2021 12:59 PM

CPL Jason Northedge — Thu, 05 Aug 2021 12:59:28 -0400

I don't know about ptsd. But I have been going thru spinal surgery after spinal surgery and no one helps more than my chihuahua. 8 surgeries and counting and she's still my angel

Response by PV2 Anna M. Cross made Jun 29 at 2023 9:16 AM

PV2 Anna M. Cross — Thu, 29 Jun 2023 09:16:14 -0400

In the Little Rock area, we have a group that trains service dogs at no cost to the veteran (except travel to class!