Veteran's Day Article - Man's Best Friend
Man’s Best Friend: Military Veterans and Service Dogs
Photo via Pixabay by skeeze
Imagine waking up in the middle of the night, drenched in
sweat, disoriented, and consumed by fear because of your nightmare. But then
you feel a cool, moist nose nudge your hand. The lights have been turned on and
your furry friend jumps onto your bed and sprawls across your body.
For military veterans, interrupted sleep is a stark and
unfortunate reality, and it happens all too often. For those with
Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder, reoccurring nightmares are part of a long list
of symptoms, including noise sensitivity, increased irritability and anger,
always being on edge (especially in public), or loss of interest. Along with
counseling and medication options, enlisting a service dog to stand by your
side can be extremely beneficial in coping with PTSD.
There are many types of amenities that dogs can provide. Service dogs are specifically trained
to be an extension of their new owner. Their job is to perform tasks that their
veteran can no longer do because of the after-effects of war or traumatic
incidents. Here are some of the skills that a service dog acquires:
●
In the event of a flashback or a nightmare, the
dog is trained to disrupt your thoughts with physical contact like licking,
pawing, and nudging.
●
Help you feel more at ease, allowing you to open up and be more social
●
Deep Pressure Stimulation is the act of using
weight to make someone feel secure. The dog will lie on its owner, applying its
body weight to expel feelings of anxiety and panic.
●
For veterans with limited mobility, a dog is
trained to pick up items that have been dropped. It can also fetch a medication
bag, a drink, or emergency contact list. The dog can even be programmed to
remind you when it’s time to take your medication or stay on your workout
regimen
●
Out in public, when hyper vigilance can set in,
a dog will watch your blind spots and stand at attention so you feel safe and
guarded.
Service dogs and the required training
they receive offer innumerable benefits. Here are some of the ways that having
a service dog can help:
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Reduce thoughts of suicide and hopelessness
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Prevent mental breakdowns
●
Save trips to the psychiatrist, keeping your
pockets a little fuller in the process
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Make you feel safe
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Give you a sense of belonging
●
Provide a focus for your love and care, and
offer you love and care
●
Avoidance of substances like drugs and alcohol
to cope, resulting in decreased risk of substance abuse and violence
●
Ability to reacclimatize to daily life with
school, work, and family
A service dog must have the ability to
perform in high pressure situations, learn the tendencies and needs of their
owner, and maintain calm, even in the most exciting circumstances to ensure the
safety and ease of their veteran. Their very purpose is to serve you and
satisfy your needs.