As a military veteran who’s returned from service, you’re no stranger to tough challenges, and you know that some wounds are more than skin-deep. Post traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) and traumatic brain injuries may not be visible, but they’re just as real—and just as painful—as any other wound sustained in service.
What used to be referred to as ‘shell shock’ and accepted as a normal side effect of serving in the military is now recognized for the serious mental health condition that it is. Thankfully, there are a number of treatments available for PTSD today, including talk therapy, cognitive behavioral therapy, exposure therapy, and prescribed medications to help manage your symptoms.
Maybe you’ve tried some or all of these treatments, or you simply want to try something different. Emotional support animals—specifically service dogs—can provide companionship and relief from PTSD symptoms in a non-invasive way.
These dogs, also called psychiatric service dogs, are often recommended as an additional form of therapy for military veterans suffering from PTSD. But do they really help?
Read on to learn more about how our canine companions can offer hope and help you heal.
Understanding PTSD
At some point in their life, 7 out of every 100 veterans will have PTSD. When you’re in active service, you may experience traumatic events that can stay with you long after you’ve returned to civilian life. You might be physically clear of danger—but your mind is still caught in the moment of trauma. That’s post traumatic stress disorder (or PTSD).
PTSD can vary in severity from person to person, but many experience symptoms like:
- Irritability and outbursts of anger
- Anxiety and panic attacks
- Depression
- Headaches
- Fatigue
- Insomnia
- Hypervigilance or constantly feeling on edge
Dealing with post traumatic stress takes a huge physical, mental, and emotional toll. And if you recognize yourself in some or all of the above symptoms, you already know how overwhelming they can be to manage.
So, how do service dogs come into play? PTSD dogs are specifically trained to recognize signs of distress and provide comfort. For many people—including veterans—these dogs play a major role in managing their day-to-day life.
The role of service dogs in PTSD support
Trained service dogs have been proven in numerous studies to lower the severity of PTSD symptoms in military veterans, reducing anxiety and feelings of loneliness among those dealing with trauma.
What are PTSD service dogs trained to do?
If you’re an animal lover, or you grew up with dogs, you know how much joy and companionship they bring into our lives. These are special animals, offer vital support to help you manage your post traumatic stress.
An emotional support dog is trained to perform tasks like:
- Decrease feelings of depression: Service dogs have been shown to reduce feelings of depression and suicidal thoughts. They ease feelings of isolation and shape your days into a regular routine—giving you a reason to get up in the morning and get out of the house. Even a gentle walk around the block can give you a mental and physical boost, improving your overall well-being.
- Lower anxiety: PTSD service dogs are trained to recognize signs of anxiety and intervene when needed. They can mitigate a panic attack by nudging or pawing at you until you bring your attention back to the present and away from the anxiety. If you get anxious out in public together, they’ll see the signs and stay close, acting as a barrier between you and others and letting you know that you’re safe and protected.
- Help with dissociation: Dissociation is a common symptom of trauma involving flashbacks, memory loss, and feeling disconnected from yourself and the world around you. PTSD service dogs can help, providing tactile comfort like licking, nudging, or laying on top of you to ground you, bringing you back to the here and now when you feel far away or stuck in the past.
- Interrupt nightmares: Post-traumatic nightmares are common after military service, and PTSD service dogs are trained to stop them in their tracks. With their advanced sense of smell, dogs can be trained to detect the chemical changes that happen in our bodies during a night terror and wake you up before you lose another good night’s rest.
Like any pet dog, service dogs are intelligent and empathetic creatures who will give you much-needed comfort on rough days after discharge. And with their specialized training, they can help you through even the most severe symptoms of PTSD.
Getting a PTSD service dog
If there’s space in your heart and home for a service dog, it might be time to find the right companion for you. But there are a couple more steps in the process of getting a service dog compared to adopting a regular dog.
The first step is getting an official post traumatic stress disorder diagnosis from a licensed mental health professional. Once you have this, you can begin the application process.
There are a few organizations that train service dogs across the country, including Assistance Dogs International, Service Dogs for America, and K9s For Warriors. Each organization will lay out everything you need to apply and guide you through the application process from start to finish.
Cost of getting a service dog
Because service dogs go through years of specialized training, buying one can make a real dent in your bank account. On average, the cost of a service dog can range from $20,000 to $40,000.
But don’t lose hope just yet! There are more affordable ways to get the support you need.
- Apply for grants: Ask the organization you’re working with if they provide grant support to help cover the cost of your service dog. If not, there are several other grant providers you could check out to get the help you need.
- Train your dog yourself: This can save you a lot in trainer fees, and there are online programs you can follow to help you through the process.
- Go nonprofit: Nonprofit organizations like Pawsitivity Service Dogs do incredible work, offering trained PTSD service dogs to veterans at no cost.
Get Started on Your Path to Healing
PTSD service dogs are just one of many ways that you can begin to heal from your experiences and gain a better quality of life. There are countless types of mental health support available for veterans like you who are struggling to cope after service.
Region Five’s free Service Member, Veterans and Family Support (SMVF) program provides community support and resources to military members, service veterans, and their families.
We offer everything a veteran could need, from educational opportunities and transitional support, to job coaching and mental health services.
Our expert team members all come from military backgrounds, so there’s always someone here who understands your struggles first-hand.
Reach out today and together let’s build a stronger tomorrow.