Most people are familiar with dogs for the visually impaired, or medical alert dogs, but you may not know much about the tasks service dogs can perform for post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD). Professionally trained service dogs, like those trained by Northwest Battle Buddies, learn specific tasks that mitigate the symptoms of PTSD, allowing their handlers to regain their independence.
Nightmares are a well-recognized symptom of PTSD. In addition to the distress they cause, they can also contribute to significant sleep disruption, making mental health symptoms worse. Drawing on their superior sense of smell, our dogs are trained to recognize chemical changes (like an increase in adrenaline) that precede night terrors, as well as noises and movements. When they recognize a symptom coming on, they’ll wake their handler before an episode becomes full blown.
Anxiety attacks can be another stressful and unpredictable symptom of PTSD. fortunately, our PTSD service dogs pick up on subtle cues, adrenaline spikes, and chemical changes in the body that may indicate an anxiety attack is imminent, sometimes before a Veteran realizes it. Then, they’ll find ways to distract and calm their handler during an attack.
A flashback is when someone relives a traumatic event as though it’s happening in the present. PTSD flashbacks can be triggered by sights, sounds, and smells, among other things. Our professionally trained service dogs learn to anticipate flashbacks, as well as techniques like licking, pawing and nudging, to help bring their Veteran handler back to reality in the present moment.
Pressure therapy can be similar to the relief provided by a weighted blanket. In the case of PTSD, a professionally trained service dog may lean against the Veteran, providing warmth and pressure, or in extreme cases, lie on top of the Veteran to provide relief and protection during a nightmare or panic attack. Or, they may be trained to step on the tops of your feet or put their head in your lap. These simple actions can release dopamine and help to ground the Veteran in times of distress.
Many people with PTSD may be on high alert, even when there is no immediate threat to their physical safety. For a veteran experiencing these symptoms, having the consistent companionship of a professionally trained service dog can provide a feeling of safety as the Veteran learns to use the dog as a tool, relying on the dog’s senses and alertness around them.
Being in crowds or public spaces can be a serious trigger for someone with PTSD, but at the same time, engaging with the world is important to healing and can be a sign that symptoms are well-managed. A professionally trained service dog can help someone with PTSD interact with others by acting as a buffer, so that people don’t invade their personal space to a degree that causes distress.
At Northwest Battle Buddies, our PTSD service dogs provide life-changing assistance to American Heros across the United States. But we rely on donations to provide the highly-skilled training they need. Please consider supporting our mission to help Veterans regain their freedom and independence through service dogs.