Matt Hagan get a trained PTSD service dog!

Hi, my name is John and I'm fundraising for Matt Hagan. Matt has served the public as a law enforcement officer for over 20 years. As a result of his public service (and some particularly grisly investigations), Matt was diagnosed with PTSD. It has been debilitating for Matt. He has undergone several different routes of treatment and has been recommended for a trained PTSD dog.

A PTSD dog is not to be confused with an emotional support animal. A PTSD dog is a working service dog. PTSD dogs are highly trained from puppyhood and then undergo extensive training with their human match to support their PTSD treatment. The dog and owner must recertify their training every two years.

PTSD dogs are trained for the following tasks:

-To sense the trigger of a PTSD attack and provide positive touch to help them

-Lead their human to an exit or predetermined location

-Doggy hugs on command

-Help them find their car in a parking lot

-Retrieve medication

-Wake up their human if they are having a nightmare

-Help create space in a crowded situation

-Practice Dog Pressure Therapy (DPT) which is tactile stimulation designed to counteract a PTSD attack or anxiety.

-They can learn to prompt their human to eat or sleep.

Matt has been medically approved to receive a PTSD dog from Joy of Living Assistance Dogs (https://www.joydogs.org/), a certified service dog trainer. The trained PTSD dogs can cost up to $13,000. Any amount would help Matt defray this cost and support his PTSD recovery!