The Aftershock of Trauma
Post Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) is a psychological condition that affects millions of people. Upwards of 20% of people who have survived a traumatic event will go on to experience symptoms of PTSD. The condition is a sort of psychological aftershock following a traumatic experience such as:
- A serious car accident
- Military combat or war
- Sexual or other violent physical assault
- Prolonged abuse
- Natural disasters or fire
- Terrorist acts
PTSD can even manifest after witnessing a traumatic event such as a fatal car accident, physical assault, or murder.
Symptoms of PTSD
There is a wide variety of symptoms that can be related to PTSD, including:
- Intrusive thoughts of the traumatic event(s)
- Flashbacks
- Nightmares or night terrors
- Extreme anxiety
- Depression
- Panic attacks caused by triggering events, such as traveling the same road on which an accident occurred or sounds of helicopters or loud bangs.
Untreated PTSD can lead to increased anxiety and depression, substance abuse, anti-social behaviors, and loneliness.
Service Dogs for the Treatment of PTSD
The primary purpose of all service dogs is to improve the quality of life for their human. A service dog is a working animal protected under the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA). They are allowed into areas that may normally prohibit pets, including rental homes with a no-dog policy, restaurants, stores, and most other public places. Certified service dogs are easily identified by their vests, harnesses, patches, and/or an identification card.
Watch the YouTube video as Sesame Street explains the role of a service dog.
Benefits: Emotional and Psychological Support
A service dog can change the life of a person suffering from PTSD. While specific needs depend on the individual, here are some of the services a trained service dog can provide:
- Accompanying their human and providing a physical barrier from crowds within public areas
- Tactile stimulation that results in emotional grounding during a panic attack or disassociative episode
- Wake and comfort its human who is experiencing a nightmare
- Deliver medications to its handler in response to a triggering event
- Lead the handler away to a safe and quiet area during a panic attack
- Facilitate social integration and connection with others
- Be a prompt and a reminder to the human to perform daily tasks
- Decrease anxiety and depression
- Improve the quality of sleep
Physical as Well as Emotional Benefits
Certified service dogs can help their humans increase their physical independence along with regaining some emotional balance. They are no different from other dogs in their need for regular exercise. By taking the dog out for daily walks, the handler will also benefit from the physical activity. In addition to a number of physical health benefits from regular exercise, the emotional rewards already given by the service dog can be compounded by the addition of daily outdoor movement.
Sacramento Dog Bite Lawyer
Hello. Thank you for reading our discussion of the many benefits of a service animal in the management of PTSD. My name is Ed Smith, and I have been a dog bite lawyer in Sacramento, California, for more than 38 years. We love dogs at AutoAccident.com, but we also know that when the dog’s owner is negligent, sometimes bites happen. If you have been bitten by a dog, the owner is responsible for your damages. Even a relatively minor dog bite can turn serious because there is such a high risk of infection. If a dog owner’s negligence has resulted in you suffering injuries, call and receive compassionate, free, and friendly advice from one of our experienced injury lawyers. Our local number is (916) 921-6400. If you will be calling from outside the local area code, use our toll-free number: (800) 404-5400. If you prefer, reach out via our online contact form.
Photo Attribution: https://pixabay.com/photos/service-dog-dog-golden-retriever-2098366/
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