Dogs really are man’s (and women’s) best friend. They are absolutely loyal, they’re never in a bad mood, they’re always happy to see you— and they help human beings with a wide variety of tasks, including medical tasks like seizure recognition and diabetes aid. They provide companionship, raise moods, and are perhaps the only beings on the planet that provide absolute perfect love. We really don’t deserve dogs, but if there is a higher power they are a direct gift from a benevolent being. 

Do You Think A Service Dog Might Help With Your PTSD? 

Dogs really are man’s (and women’s) best friend. They are absolutely loyal, they’re never in a bad mood, they’re always happy to see you— and they help human beings with a wide variety of tasks, including medical tasks like seizure recognition and diabetes aid. They provide companionship, raise moods, and are perhaps the only beings on the planet that provide absolute perfect love. We really don’t deserve dogs, but if there is a higher power they are a direct gift from a benevolent being. 

There’s really nothing better in this world than a dog, and just about any responsible dog owner will tell you the same. 

One of the most important jobs dogs can help with is recognizing and helping to ameliorate the symptoms of Post Traumatic Stress Disorder. As many as nearly one fourth of veterans deployed to Iraq and Afghanistan have come home with some form of Post Traumatic Stress Disorder, and although having any dog has been shown to improve symptoms of this disease, a dog specifically trained to help with PTSD can be a game changer. 

Below, we’ll help explain the steps to getting a service dog trained to help with PTSD as well as how they might be able to help. 

How Can A Service Dog Help With PTSD? 

Service dogs help with specific tasks that help sufferers manage PTSD, such as interrupting anxiety behaviors and nightmares, redirecting focus away from triggers to focus on the dog rather than the anxiety and terror, they reduce the likelihood of suicide (many people who have considered suicide have sometimes stayed alive solely for their pets), and they can perform safety checks and even in some cases call for help when needed. 

Service animals for PTSD can also help lead their handlers to safe places when experiencing acute symptoms of PTSD such as severe anxiety, dissociation, and flashbacks. They can retrieve medication, and the routine of caring for an animal can help to remind those suffering from PTSD to eat and sleep at appropriate times. 

This is to say nothing of the companionship, stress-reducing effects of having a dog around, and the unconditional love they provide. 

How To Get A Service Dog For PTSD

Service dogs can be expensive. Each dog is not only highly trained, but trained to work with a specific person, in this case, one suffering from PTSD. It is a lifelong bond. Thus, service dogs trained to work with PTSD patients can cost upwards of $20,000. 

But in some cases the VA will pay for a service dog for veterans. The first step is meeting with your doctor or healthcare provider, who will assess your need for a service dog. Once a need is established, your healthcare provider can submit an application for a service dog. It’s almost as if the dog is prescribed, like a doctor would prescribe a drug, and it’s spoken of as being “prescribed a service dog”.

The VA generally doesn’t pay for the routine upkeep of having a dog, such as food, veterinary care, travel, etc. But there are organizations who do, such as the Center for Compassionate Care. 

Alternatively, if you for some reason can’t get a service dog through the VA, there are other options and organizations that provide service dogs to people with PTSD, such as Paws For Patriots, Battle Buddy Foundation, Canine Angels, and many more. A quick Google search will offer you many links. 

Treatment For PTSD And Addiction

Just as it is well known that dogs and joy go hand and hand, it’s also well known that Post Traumatic Stress Disorder and addiction also go hand in hand. Those who have PTSD have a higher rate of drug and alcohol addiction and abuse, and these syndromes overlap in complicated ways. 

If you are suffering from PTSD and addiction, those of us here at Southeast Addiction Tennessee can help. We want to stress, always, that Post Traumatic Stress Disorder and addiction are diseases, and they are treatable. These diseases can be managed, and you can live a happy, healthy life. 

We can help you get the doctor’s order you need to qualify for a service dog, and we can help you along every step of the way on your journey to health and recovery. We want to help protect those that protected us so bravely overseas, and we want to help you live the happy, healthy life you deserve— with a dog or without. If you or someone you love is struggling with addiction and mental illness, Southeast Addiction Tennessee can help. Give us a call at (615) 326-6449