Ptsd Dog

[Kintsugi]

@Ayesha Thank you!

 

[aka]

I just got a PTSD service dog 2 weeks ago. I cannot tell you just yet if the benefits out way the cost. But I would imagine it would be different for each person. I am still trying to get use to handling having a dog with me in public but it has been getting easier.

Mostly at the moment he is helping me with boundary control. Though I am teaching an panic attack alert and he can do deep pressure therapy if the medication induced restlessness gets out of control.

 

[desiderata310]

I was hoping that I could get my dog to help with establishing a boundary around me when out in public; search the house when we get home; "cover me"; and nudge my hand when I flashback.

 

[Joan]

I have had my PTSD service dog since March. @aka....hang in there I was really unsure for the first month or even 2....now I could not imagine life without him. In fact he has been hurt with a hip injury and I had to go out without him...was horrible. He stands behind me if I have to be in the "open", he looks around a corner before I have to go around it, he searches my condo before I enter, he licks when I am in a flashback and lays with me....among some other things. He also does things I never realized important...like laugh!

 

[desiderata310]

@Joan when I read about all the things a service dog could do, I cried. My therapist said he got cold chills.

I am still waiting for someone to contact me.

 

[Joan]

I was really skeptical at first, but the more I read up on the training the more I began to believe in the possibility. There are quite a few organizations that train dogs...many just for veterans. I knew for me personally I could not train one myself...I just did not have that much energy, concentration, etc...had enough issues without that. I did tons of research...unfortunately for many organizations the waiting list is incredibly long. The need far outweighs the supply. I hope that you are able to soon get some information.

 

[livingwiththis]

Thanks for all the replies...... i am filling out the paper work now and i need my psychiatrist and psychologist both to fill out paper work i need refernce letters from family and friends ect..... its a long application and one of the question is what do you want your service dog to be trained to do i know the barrier thing when im in public but after that i dont know im unsure if a dog could help me out of dissociative episodes but the nightmare thing sounds good or the flashback things....... i know the waiting list for this program is 2 years and its the only one i could really find that didnt require you to e a vetran

 

[livingwiththis]

@Joan after your dog was trained does it take alot to make sure the dog maintains its training?

 

[Joan]

No, it takes about maybe 40 minutes to an hour a week.