Other A good therapy for ptsd

[WomanHero]

Hey there everyone, I would like to share the battle of my sister with PTSD. She's always having nightmares and flashbacks of the car accident.
Is it recommended to get a service dog for her? My family has been talking about that option

 

[Justmehere]

Welcome to the forums?

Has she worked with a solid doctor and tried trauma therapy with a good trauma specialist for a long period of time?

 

[WomanHero]

Yes, she has been under trauma therapy like Psychotherapy for roughly 1 year now. She's very passionate about dogs since before so we are thinking of getting her a service dog for her.

 

[Justmehere]

It's usually a expensive and life changing process to work with a service dog, and I'd consider it to be an option of last resort. (I have a service dog myself.) I'd first suggest she consult with her therapist and doctor, and then explore not for profit organizations who train service dogs and to keep doing the homework on service dogs.

 

[WomanHero]

I would have to agree that it is an expensive option. Fortunately, our uncle offered to sponsor it for my sister. She was so thrilled when she heard about that plan.
By the what's the breed of your service dog?

 

[Justmehere]

That's great you have someone that can help!

A service dog can be any breed, it's just got to have the right temperament and training.

The most common breeds are golden retrievers and Labrador retrievers. But I have worked with service dogs of many other kinds of breeds.

 

[WomanHero]

We received a call from our uncle. He told that we might be able to bring our new dog next week. :) Since the dog will be sleeping in my sister's room, and she doesn't have anything for the dog yet, we are planning to get him something at least to make him feel comfortable especially at night time. Do you have any suggestions?

 

[Justmehere]

Is the dog already temperament tested and trained for service dog work? If so, I would follow what the agency or trainer who trained the dog recommends. Legit trainers and agencies usually have very specific instructions on this and provide this info well in advance of picking up the dog.

 

[WomanHero]

Based on what my uncle said, yes, the dog has been trained for service work already. I'm just not sure with its temperament. I think we really need to speak with the trainers who have handled the dog. Thank's for reminding me of that :)
Actually, we are already preparing my sister's room. I think we need to get some stuff for him.

 

[WomanHero]

Do you have any ideas what things are needed for service/therapy dogs? I'm planning to shop later to buy a dog food and there might be other stuff that I could purchase for the dog.

 

[anthony]

If her primary concern is nightmares and flashbacks, she needs therapy, not a service dog. Therapy will attempt to solve the symptoms, atleast lessen them significantly and give her coping strategies to continue lessening symptoms over the years. A service dog is nice... a dog is nice, period, doesn't need to be a service dog. They're calming and often pretty good and recognising emotional disturbances in people, thus they will cuddle more or less with their owner as a result.

 

[Kodah]

Be aware questions will arise. I didn't finish training my husky as I'm not comfortable saying he's a service dog and what specifically does he do for me.

And then you might find people ask more questions and well you the picture. I go with my husky where I don't have to answer any questions. And other places are very times instances to be in and out smartly.