PTSD Service Dog for Combat Veteran

Ryan Mitchell is organizing this fundraiser.

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I am 10 year Army Veteran. I spent 28 months in Iraq conducting ground combat Infantry operations and was awarded the Bronze Star Medal with Valor during my first tour. I have service-connected PTSD and am hoping to get a prescribed PTSD-trained service dog. I have done a lot of research into the great benefits a service dog can bring PTSD suffering Veterans. I believe that having a service dog will not only help my PTSD, but also my home life and how I interact with the world-at-large. I thank you for taking the time to look at my page and hope you find it within your heart to help me.

Trained service dogs assist people with PTSD perform basic tasks and overcome some of the more debilitating symptoms of the anxiety condition. The dogs can be trained to help veterans take medication at scheduled times or will wake a person having a nightmare. When out in public they act as an extra pair of eyes and ears to watch what’s coming from behind or what might be sneaking around corners. They are even trained to give their handlers affection on command, a gesture of reassurance that can relieve a lot of stress from a situation of temporary anxiety.

Psychological Service Dog Training For PTSD:
Stay focus on client
Deep pressure for black outs
Assist for night terrors
Crowd buffering
Reassure client

According to PTSD expert, Tracy Stecker, Ph.D of Dartmouth Medical School, some reasons why trained service dogs can be so beneficial to people with PTSD are:
They are Vigilant – They keep watch for you so you can lower your guard slightly
They Take Orders – Dogs respond to commands. Things are very black and white and there is no debate about things, which can be a comfort to people used to a rigid military system
They Are Ready to Protect You – Knowing your dog is always at your side and always ready to protect you can be a comfort
They Offer Unconditional Love – They can help ease what is sometimes a difficult transition out of military life by loving you for you, no matter how difficult you are finding life in the real world
Dogs Teach Trust and Love – A trained service dog is completely trustworthy. Through this perfect trust people can regain some faith notions of trust and love that are sometimes shattered by the experiences of war.

Some information taken from: choosehelp.com