Combat Vets W/ptsd And Dogs Helping Makes The News

[reddevil1111]

http://www.cnn.com/video/?hpt=hp_mid#/video/us/2011/12/23/nr-service-dogs-help-vets-with-ptsd.cnn

 

[skeryfast]

i bought a doberman soon after i got home from afghanistan. she hasnt been trained to deal with me but i sence that she can tell when im down. she has helped me get thru many a rough time and is an awesome sentry. dobermans are the most loyal dog ive ever owned.

 

[Panda]

It's proven patting your dog will immediately lower your stress levels, one of the first things my therapist had me do when I couldnt deal with my wife or son, was to pat the dog for 5 or 10 mins a day.

 

[Lee C]

Cant argue mate. I have 2, Boxer(Male) thick as f**k but the best and a Dalmation cross(female) with a Black mouth Cur. Calm me down loads and when it gets close i take her out running with me to get rid of the itch !

 

[Ned]

dobermans are the most loyal dog ive ever owned.

Can't argue with that. When I was living on the farm had a doberman (young). Bismark was his name. That dog had such good instincts he'd have been a good section member.
Never barked (until contact) just 'stalked' potential threats like a cat.
Very disconcerting to intruders......

 

[tho9900]

I don't own a dog but I house sit my friends when she goes out of town... man there's nothing like cuddling up to 84 pounds of pure Boxer loving! She was so surprise the first time I met him... he thinks he was abused by a man because he immediately goes crazy trying to bite them when they come in the house. Within 15 min he was up in my lap the first time I came over... it's a real safe feeling lying there with him... and soothing knowing he loves me like no person can... no matter what my faults or my moods are...

 

[Glockster37]

My Lab Cattle dogs and 2 Mastweillers are my only real hope at home. I do not get any support from my family. It is sad to say. But the dogs are always there. Guinea pigs too.

 

[Anglesachse]

I got 2 jackrussels, my little priness will jump on my lap when she senses I aint doing good. But the best animal I had to calm me down is Elly, my goose. she was 5 and would actualy come to me and lay her head on my lap and wanted to be stroked.

Then this winter the damn fox had her. took a chunk out of her side. Was at the vets and all, and she lived for another week before she died. That realy sucks.

But siting out back just listening to the chickens clucking away is a real soother aswell, and if you want an animal to make you smile get a Ferret. I have 3 and the shit they get up to allways makes me laugh. real nosey bastards they are.

 

[Sarg]

No S--t, Angle, 3 ferrets??? Those little buggers are everywhere at once. Could never own one, but love to watch them when I go to the pet store for dog food. Agree with everyone above...dogs have a way with PTSD. My little Dachsund has been my "beast" dog for sixteen years next month. Pretty sure I'd have gone off the deep end many times had it not been for him.

Sadly, I don't think he'll last much longer. Get this, he has liver damage, Cushings, back problems, arthritus and he's got lumps and tumors all over him and the little b-----d still has perky ears and shining eyes! He still gives me hell if I don't feed him on time. Been really blessed by him.

Hug your dog, it's good for the both of you!

Sarg

 

[Glockster37]

Interesting how animals help us so much. I do get support from my mom and my brother. My dad had severe PTSD if you could ever tell he kept it well hidden. He was a strong person I will miss him so much and I wish he was still around to talk with. I still can remember the look on his face when I left from there home. It owuld be the last time we would se eachother till I returned. The last thing he told me was "we look forward to seeing you when you get home." It will be ok. He died six months after I returned from Iraq. He was in WWII, Korea and four tours in Nam. He always had dogs around and I noticed they seemed to be totaly tuned into him on his bad days.

 

[Jen.armyairborneranger]

I met my boyfriend through a mutual friend. He actually met her when he adopted his 1st rescue rat terrier.
The other day we laughed as he laid in the chair with the 1st and 2nd rescue dogs in 7 months along with my min pin... At one time, thy made him crazy and he tried to be so strict: not on furniture, not in beds blah blah... Now, he loves them and spoils them more than me and the kids do. Our friends and his children laugh and say that me and the dogs saved him. That we taught him how to trust and love again. And I know, if he hadn't gotten the first one, there would be no me. And had there been no me, we wouldn't have saved the second dog on Christmas
Day from being put down the next day.
The dogs are his calm. They rule the roost more than anyone would've ever imagined. When he gets stressed, I tell them to go see daddy and they always find him and love on him until he can't help but smile and laugh... Instantly, whatever was troubling him disappears!
Dogs saved our lives... They brought me him (from a previous abusive marriage) and they brought him trustworthy friends and me.
Dogs make a difference! They love you no matter what and they know when you are down... And they sit stop until they hear u laugh.

 

[reddevil1111]

I have to ask. Are you a combat Veteran with Combat related PTSD?