A Helping Paw
Donation protected
My name is Dennis Kramer. I am a Film and Video Studies major at George Mason University in Fairfax, Virginia. I am in my senior year and working on my Capstone Project, a documentary film entitled “A Helping Paw.”
“A Helping Paw” is a comprehensive look into the men and women who have sustained debilitating injuries after serving in the United States military and how they are coping through the companionship of a service dog. Many times, civilians have trouble understanding the battle's veterans who have been injured during their time serving, deal with daily. According to a study conducted by the RAND Corporation, nearly 20% of veterans returning from Afghanistan and Iraq have Post Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD). These men and women struggle daily to live a normal life free of depression, anxiety, suicidal thoughts, etc. There are many coping mechanisms for PTSD such as meditation, art therapy, and aromatherapy. However, arguably the most popular is the companionship of a service dog.
The film is built around the story of Stacy Pearsall, a United States Airforce veteran who suffered from a Traumatic Brain Injury (TBI) while serving as a combat photographer in Iraq. It will cover her time in the military, her injury, the troubles she had coping with the side effects from the TBI, and how her service dog Charlie benefited her. Through this, the viewers will experience a first-hand account of these amazing animals in action.
Funds received will go towards:
· Gear/Equipment Rentals
· Crew (Director of Photography, Sound Mixer, Boom Operator and Editor)
· Travel to Charleston, SC, and Smithtown, NY to interview Stacy as well as a representative from America’s VetDogs (Gas and Sleeping Accommodations)
· Music rights
· Archival Footage
All donors will be credited in the final film!
Thank you for your contributions and for sharing this with others!
“A Helping Paw” is a comprehensive look into the men and women who have sustained debilitating injuries after serving in the United States military and how they are coping through the companionship of a service dog. Many times, civilians have trouble understanding the battle's veterans who have been injured during their time serving, deal with daily. According to a study conducted by the RAND Corporation, nearly 20% of veterans returning from Afghanistan and Iraq have Post Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD). These men and women struggle daily to live a normal life free of depression, anxiety, suicidal thoughts, etc. There are many coping mechanisms for PTSD such as meditation, art therapy, and aromatherapy. However, arguably the most popular is the companionship of a service dog.
The film is built around the story of Stacy Pearsall, a United States Airforce veteran who suffered from a Traumatic Brain Injury (TBI) while serving as a combat photographer in Iraq. It will cover her time in the military, her injury, the troubles she had coping with the side effects from the TBI, and how her service dog Charlie benefited her. Through this, the viewers will experience a first-hand account of these amazing animals in action.
Funds received will go towards:
· Gear/Equipment Rentals
· Crew (Director of Photography, Sound Mixer, Boom Operator and Editor)
· Travel to Charleston, SC, and Smithtown, NY to interview Stacy as well as a representative from America’s VetDogs (Gas and Sleeping Accommodations)
· Music rights
· Archival Footage
All donors will be credited in the final film!
Thank you for your contributions and for sharing this with others!
Organizer
Dennis Kramer
Organizer
Parker, VA