"Veteran Praises Service Dog for Saving His Life in a Literal Sense"
Psychiatric Service Dogs Provide Life-Changing Support for Veterans with PTSD
Veterans who have served their country bravely often face significant mental health challenges upon their return to civilian life. One such veteran, Hank Ford, has found solace and support in his three-year-old service dog, Tommy.
Ford, a former Army and Marine Corps serviceman with 20 years of active duty under his belt, participated in Desert Storm and Operation Iraqi Freedom. He has been battling PTSD for years, but Tommy has been a beacon of hope and a lifesaver.
During an incident in February, Ford felt dizzy, lightheaded, and weak. Tommy, sensing something was amiss, woke Ford up by barking and jumping on him. Ford's heart was racing out of control, and Tommy kept pawing at his chest, alerting him to the danger. Ford rushed to the hospital, where he was diagnosed with atrial fibrillation (AFib).
Ford considers Tommy a hero for his actions during the incident. He believes that without Tommy's presence, he might not have survived. Tommy stayed with him for hours, providing comfort and emotional support during a difficult time.
Psychiatric service dogs like Tommy play a crucial role in saving and improving the lives of veterans with PTSD. These dogs are specially trained to sense anxiety or distress attacks and respond with specific tasks tailored to the veteran’s needs. They help veterans manage PTSD triggers, navigate social situations, and maintain emotional stability.
Tommy serves his purpose as a service dog fully, according to Ford. He helps Ford manage his PTSD, providing emotional support, practical assistance, and companionship that significantly reduces symptoms such as anxiety, depression, and isolation.
The bond formed between the dog and veteran provides a sense of purpose and emotional relief that medication and therapy alone do not offer. Examples from veterans’ experiences highlight this impact. One veteran described how his service dog alerted him to a mental health crisis, prompting timely medical intervention. Another case is of Army Veteran Dennis James, whose dog helped him stay grounded in crowded places and curb anxiety during triggers.
Service dogs also improve veterans’ independence and social engagement by enabling safer access to public spaces and reducing isolation. Laws in various countries, such as the U.S. and Australia, protect the public access rights of veterans accompanied by trained assistance dogs, emphasizing their role as essential partners rather than pets.
Ford and Tommy were connected by Dogs Inc., a company that trains and places service dogs. They were paired two-and-a-half years ago, and since then, they have spent many hours together. On Wednesdays, Ford spends his time as a golf course marshal on the Coyote Creek Golf Course in Fort Lupton, Colorado, with Tommy by his side.
In sum, psychiatric service dogs provide life-saving support to veterans with PTSD by mitigating symptoms, reducing suicide risk, improving social functioning, and offering unwavering companionship that enhances their mental health and overall wellbeing. Ford believes that service dogs are the answer for veterans and first responders struggling with mental health issues, and he is grateful for the light that Tommy has brought into his life.
[1] National Centre for PTSD. (n.d.). Service Dogs. Retrieved from https://www.ptsd.va.gov/understand/symptoms/relationships/service_dogs.asp
[2] Service Dog Central. (n.d.). Service Dog Stories. Retrieved from https://www.servicedogcentral.org/stories/
[3] Assistance Dogs International. (n.d.). Public Access. Retrieved from https://www.assistancedogs.org/public-access/
[4] PBS NewsHour. (2018, November 12). How service dogs are helping veterans cope with PTSD. Retrieved from https://www.pbs.org/newshour/health/how-service-dogs-are-helping-veterans-cope-with-ptsd
[5] Veterans Affairs. (n.d.). Mental Health. Retrieved from https://www.mentalhealth.va.gov/
- In light of the challenges faced by veterans with PTSD, the presence of trained psychiatric service dogs like Tommy can lead to significant improvements in mental health and overall wellbeing, offering life-saving support by mitigating symptoms, reducing suicide risk, and enhancing social functioning.
- Apart from mental health, psychiatric service dogs such as Tommy also make substantial contributions to the physical health of their owners. During an emergency, Tommy acted promptly by sensing distress in Hank Ford and alerting him to seek immediate medical attention, playing a pivotal role in Ford's recovery from atrial fibrillation.
