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Veteran with PTSD finds dog therapy beats medication

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pinger
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Post by Dannypaj Fri 13 Nov 2015, 07:08

]Veteran with PTSD finds dog therapy beats medication - Page 2 Wp_20118[/url]


This is my doggy sammy!
Holy smokes sparrow your doggy looks similar to mine.  
and yes I  let everybody pet him! seeing people smile can some what be therapeutic.
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Number of posts : 1166
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Location : Halifax
Registration date : 2015-01-29

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Post by pinger Thu 12 Nov 2015, 21:28

PTSD service dogs. Those few real providers must be top notch. Talking breeds and their temperments here.
Labs come to mind, but obviously not purebreed american pitbulls!
Border collies are very smart, but their active practicalities probably don't cut the mustard.
Probably a mixed breed with records.

But how come I can talk to dogs better than most people? Must be my affinity for milkbones.
Here's my favourite... http://www.milkbone-canada.com/goodness.aspx?prodID=2
No humour either, we could learn a lot by just watching the animals in our midst.

Respectfully... pinger.


Last edited by pinger on Thu 12 Nov 2015, 21:44; edited 2 times in total (Reason for editing : Forgot my flavour)
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Post by Ex Member Thu 12 Nov 2015, 20:44

I could handle that!

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Post by Ex Member Thu 12 Nov 2015, 20:19

Adorable bigrex!

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Post by bigrex Thu 12 Nov 2015, 19:32

Veteran with PTSD finds dog therapy beats medication - Page 2 12208811

Try waking up to this hovering over you.
bigrex
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Number of posts : 4060
Location : Halifax, Nova Scotia
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Post by Ex Member Thu 12 Nov 2015, 19:25

Trooper sorry to say he don't trust anything military he probably don't trust any man the girl was no threat to him. next time pass him info for csat.

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Post by Ex Member Thu 12 Nov 2015, 18:27

I wanna take that home!

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Post by Guest Thu 12 Nov 2015, 18:15

LOL

That's one good looking dog Sparrow....I remember when you first got it....that dog could cheer me up I'm sure of it.

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Post by Ex Member Thu 12 Nov 2015, 18:06

Trooper that post made me sad. You can pet my dog as long as you bring her a double double.
Veteran with PTSD finds dog therapy beats medication - Page 2 10363690_152186265124010_5202952690033029451_n

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Post by Guest Thu 12 Nov 2015, 17:56

Sparrow , I fully agree with that....they should go ahead with it an like you say tweak it as it goes.

I know a Veteran with PTSD who has a shepherd an he takes that dog everywhere an I see him almost daily , when I first met the guy I asked him if he was in the service but did not say at first that I was a Veteran myself....he was very out front with me and told me everything about his time in the service an how the dog helps him with his PTSD.
I had asked him questions that only a Veteran would know so it didn't take him long to know that I was a Veteran myself , I asked him if I could pet his dog , he said OH...OH....NO his working so I just kinda smiled an said no problem....so now the guy doesn't talk to me anymore which is all fine by me.
It was not to long after that there was a young chick all over the dog...petting , hugging for at least 15 minutes , an the dog had on the caution please don't pet I'm working....so I just walked by him an smiled...he knew what I was thinking.
So I guess for him the dog is helping him with his PTSD....but only good looking women are allowed to approach his dog....which is his own business but I would have liked to pet that dog also.

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Post by Ex Member Thu 12 Nov 2015, 16:53

Thanks Trooper for the article.  I also don't agree with the pilot project having to last so long because the need is great now and there is already established and documented evidence available that demonstrates the success rate for Veterans  who receive service dogs.  They should just implement the project now and tweak it as it progresses in time and as warranted.

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Post by Guest Thu 12 Nov 2015, 13:08

Veterans Affairs is recruiting for a pilot project to study how service dogs help vets with PTSD

When Chad Miron's mind wanders back to the terrors of war in Afghanistan, he has a way out.

With one simple cue, Norman, his service dog, can break the former soldier's descent into darkness.

His canine companion has been specially trained to help veterans who suffer from post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD). When Miron has a flashback, he just has to say the word, "Nudge," and Norman snuggles his black furry head in close, lavishing Miron with attention.

Rob Martin, veteran with PTSD, attends 1st Remembrance Day ceremony in years
"It kind of snaps you out of whatever you're feeling and you have this kind of cute, giant dog in your lap so how can you be mad at that?" says Miron, who lives in Hamilton, Ont.

The Canadian veteran has endured a five-year road to recovery that has included therapy and numerous medications. But the 31-year-old says his biggest saviour has been his service dog.

"Out of everything I've gone through and done, the dog has probably helped the most," he says.

Service dogs help military veterans cope with PTSD
​Remembrance Day ceremony honours dogs that help veterans with PTSD

Dogs' healing powers get recognition

There's growing recognition that trained service dogs can help to heal veterans suffering from PTSD.

"The counsellors that are working with these folks, they're seeing an immediate profound impact and [saying], 'Wow, there's something going on here,'" says Danielle Forbes, executive director of National Service Dogs in Cambridge, Ont. Her charity breeds and trains service dogs.

With the help of volunteers and donations, Forbes' organization and other non-profits like hers provide the dogs for free. But veterans must pay for the animal's care themselves, a struggle for some. The federal government covers dog care expenses for former soldiers with physical disabilities, but not for those with PTSD.

"Food gets expensive, vet bills, we all pay for that ourselves," says Miron.

But that could change. Veterans Affairs has told CBC News in an email that it is currently recruiting up to 30 former soldiers with PTSD for a pilot project to help it "better understand the short to long-term impact of a service dog."

The government will cover the dog care costs and it's possible the project's outcome could lead to widespread dog care coverage for all veterans who qualify.

Miron applauds Ottawa's interest but questions the wait. The pilot project is expected to end in late 2017. Miron says his success and the success of others paired with the dogs show further study isn't needed.

"There's their pilot program right there. We know first hand what these dogs have done for us," he says.

Miron's eternal war

Chad Miron dog PTSD
Chad Miron is seen here serving with the Canadian military in Afghanistan in 2010. When he returned home, he began a new battle with PTSD. (Chad Miron)

Miron's journey began back in May 2010. That's when he started an eight-month tour that began in one of the most frequently attacked outposts in Kandahar Province, Afghanistan.

The Taliban attacked almost daily with gunfire and rockets.

"That was not the worst part of it," says Miron.

The worst part was the constant threat of stepping on explosive devices or IEDs when on patrol. "[It] starts to wear down on you," he says. "It brought a strong sense of our mortality, like, any day, we could die. The odds are pretty decent."

Miron witnessed his section commander being hit by an IED blast. Miron gave him first aid. The commander survived but lost his leg.

The veteran says his most difficult day was having to transport the remains of a fellow Canadian soldier who was killed by another IED.

When asked how that experience affected him, Miron said he was traumatized by it. "I knew that it would affect me later on, but, at the time, I just kind of took it all in and buried it."

Miron quietly absorbed all the horrors he witnessed. And when he returned home in December 2010, he found that he couldn't cope.

He was angry all the time, would pick fights in bars, and started drinking heavily.

"Eventually, I started completely avoiding my friends. So I just basically became a hermit, locked myself away," he says.

Soldiers at higher risk of suicide after serving in Afghan war zone
Dog to the rescue

Miron was diagnosed with PTSD and took up to five medications daily to help him sleep and combat his depression and anger. "The medication just turned me into a zombie," he says.

Then his psychologist suggested he try working with a service dog. "I was ready to try anything at that point," he admits.

Miron got his first dog, Juno, in 2011. With the added comfort and security of his furry friend, he finally felt comfortable enough to slowly venture out in public.

The lab crossbreeds trained for the veterans are bred to be good-natured and eager to please. "He's kind of got your back, he's always calm, keeps a smile on your face," says Miron, referring to Norman, who became his service dog last year after Juno died of cancer.

Juno and Norman were also trained to perform special tasks. In a bookstore, Miron shows how, by commanding the dog to "block," Norman will stand next to him and prevent strangers from getting too close.

Miron explains that his anger can escalate in crowded situations. "The dog helps create that space by blocking people, forcing them to go around you."

By saying the command, "seek it," Norman will also search Miron's home, just to let the veteran know he's safe. Miron explains there were times after his tour when he still felt as though he was under attack.

"You're always preparing for the worst," he explains. "Having the dog, he provides you with that sense of home, that sense of security."

Norman can also stop Miron from slipping into dark moods. "He'll know when I'm angry and he'll come up to me and try to get me to pet him.''

Miron says that even though he'll never be the same person he was before he left for Afghanistan, he's coping much better today. And he believes he owes his recovery largely to his service dog.

Although Miron dislikes the idea of a long study, the veteran says he's pleased the government is finally paying attention to what he believes is an effective therapy for PTSD.

"[A] big part of it is just realizing you're not broken, it can get better, you can heal and the dogs help a tonne with that," he says.

http://www.cbc.ca/news/business/ptsd-veteran-service-dogs-1.3314199

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