One of the main symptoms or causes of PTSD is reliving past events as if they are really happening in the here and now. Now image your worst nightmare or horror flick and not being able to turn it off. EVER. It is constantly running in your head and terrifying you so much you can not function anymore. This is what is like living with Post Traumatic Stress Disorder.
So how does a therapy dog play into PTSD?
A therapy dog is the "stop" or at least the "pause" button. The dog gently shocks the survivors system back into the present usually through some form of touch or sound. A paw on the knee, a soft bark or whimper, a look, a nuzzle may all help bring the survivor back to the present and regain his/her consciousness (in a matter of speaking.) It is this compassion that dogs are known for and the understand that something isn't right in that moment that they reach out a paw to hold on to their friend.
Most dogs are trained by professional trainers in this field and I haven't a clue how they do it. Since everyone experience and reactions are so different, it would take a very compassionate dog to understand humans, because there are no signals that are given or used, the dog must "see" for that person and guide him safely back to the present reality.
You'll have to forgive my lack of scientific knowledge of how and why it works. I only know that from my own personal experience it does. While none of my dogs have been professionally trained or certified, I do believe they were designed for me to be my personal therapy dogs. And I'm so blessed.
In the next few weeks I'll share my experience with PTSD and My Therapy Dogs and how they have helped to guide me back to the present.
5 comments:
So sad for anyone who has PTSD. We hope that many a therapy dog helps those who suffer. Have a marvellous Monday.
Best wishes Molly
That is the beauty of dogs. They can do just about anything we humans need them to do.
If this is the case... then all our dogs are Therapy Dogs... something I completely agree with you on.
Thanks for sharing this experience with us.
PTSD is a hidden disease and few rarely know the degree of suffering that comes along with it...I believe a dog in its bond becomes attuned to you and recognizes changes in your small movements, your scent, your breathing, even your behavior patterns that signal him or her to go into "nurture" and protect mode. Your pack is so closely tied to you that it is only naturally that they would be your perfect guides and therapists. You ARE very blessed but it is a gift that comes from a lot of hard work and a caring loving attitude.
And that's why after a long tiring pissed off and monotonous day at work, coming home and even if i just sit for 5 minutes with my dog(i.e, a Siberian husky ), I forget everything and feel lively and freshened up. Dogs are the prefect healers for any kind of emotional disorder.
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