Service Dogs for PTSD

Did you know ... there are service dogs for veterans and others suffering from PTSD?  In fact, in the US, PetSmart has recently started an initiative called PetSmart for Patriots which helps make service dogs more widely available to any veteran.  While it is well known that service dogs can help those with physical disabilities complete their activities of daily living, these pups also help those suffering from symptoms of PTSD and anxiety.  Specifically, there was a study conducted through the Psychiatric Service Dog Society which found that over 80% of those with PTSD reported a reduction in their symptoms since becoming an owner of a service dog, and around 40% were able to reduce their medications.  

As you can find out more from the links below, service dogs for those with mental health issues such as PTSD are trained to monitor an individual's behaviour, recognize when they become anxious, and physically redirect them and instill a sense of calm through nudges and licking.  In addition, many individuals with PTSD are hypervigilant which causes tremendous tension and anxiety.  In this way dogs help to suppress the hyper vigilance by ensuring the individual is protected and has their needed personal space, but also through petting the dog and the constant companionship they provide panic and paranoia can be reduced, and  one can stay in the moment.

For more information, check out:

• "What a Dog Can Do for PTSD" by Mark Thompson (Time)
• "PetSmart Helps Wounded Vets Adopt Pets" by Eliana Dockterman (Time)
• "Service Dogs Provide Comfort for Afghan Veterans with PTSD that Pharmaceuticals Can't Provide" by Garret Dwyer-Joyce (Toronto Star)
• National Service Dogs
• Canadian Service Dog Foundation