Service Dogs: Helping Those Who Served Our Country – Petco Community

Source: Petco Community
An estimated 20% of veterans returning from Afghanistan and Iraq have PTSD and/or depression. When Traumatic Brain Injuries (TBIs) are factored into the equation, the percentage of veterans suffering from debilitating symptoms such as severe social anxiety, flashbacks, nightmares and hypervigilance is much higher. It’s easy to wonder how an animal can help our brave men and women when so many other treatment methods fail. The truth is not every dog fits the bill. Just like the soldiers, sailors, Marines and airmen they help, service dogs are highly trained professionals with a job to do.
When it comes to service dogs and veterans, the premise is simple: Partner a veteran dealing with depression, PTSD, anxiety, TBI or any other post-war disability (including limited mobility, amputation or visual or auditory impairments) with a carefully-selected, highly-trained canine teammate. While people with physical disabilities have long been partnered with service dogs, PTSD and psychiatric service dogs are a relatively newer resource. Read the Full Story Here