PTSD- eye opening speaker
Assistance Dogs has truly been an eye-opening experience to say the least. I have learned so much about how I, myself, can help people with cognitive and physical disabilities through the use of dogs in Recreation Therapy and Occupational Therapy, which will someday be my profession. Dogs are truly the most therapeutic animals for those with disabilities.
One of the most powerful days in class was when the paramedic came and talked about his difficulties with PTSD and about how much his Assistance Dog from paws4people had helped him. In previous classes, we discussed how specially trained dogs could help those with PTSD, so it was really interesting to see that translated into a real-life setting.
Both he and his wife spoke of his intense fear of leaving his house, in fear of experiencing flash-backs of his traumatic experiences as a paramedic. It broke my heart to hear him talk about watching a 7 year old girl die before his eyes… I could not imagine carrying around a burden like that.
Now, with his Assistance Dog, he is able to go into public without fear. It was a truly moving experience, and left me leaving class saying “wow.” It really helped me put things into perspective. I hope one day I can use what I have learned about PTSD in this class to assist in therapeutic regimens for the disease.
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Please Comment!
Nicholas Dassler
This was very eye-opening to me as well…..it would be so hard to bare to live with something like that envisioned in your head every time you head to an emergency. I don’t know how my brain would react to that as well….but I do have a lot of respect for him and that he still continues to this day to work hard when dealing with his PTSD. I got to talk to him after class was over and all I could do was just go up to him and tell him thank you for all he has done.
MallorieA
Caroline, I think this particular guest speaker was the most moving. It made me realize how influential the people are that save lives everyday, the things they must endure are heart wrenching. Honestly, none of us can understand or imagine what it must be like to live in their shoes for a day. But it’s just as important to let them know how much we appreciate and respect their work.
Georgianna Honeycutt
Wow, I really wish that I could have been there to hear his story. I loved hearing all the inspiring stories when I was in the first class. It is truly amazing what these dogs can do for people. I have meet others with PTSD who have service dogs and they say are a completely changed person because of what the dog has done for them.
MeganH
I agree that this was one of the most amazing stories we have heard. After class today it was interesting to compare the multiple stories we have heard from people with PTSD. Each has a very different presentation of symptoms, but each is also helped by a service dog from paws4people. I think that is really a testament to the broad range of people p4p is able to reach. That is one of the many reasons it is such a great organization.
Austin T
Wow, that does sound like a moving story. I hope to be able to use Assistance Dogs in my future as well. More and more each class I realize the effect dogs can have in changing the lives of people. I wish we could have heard the paramedic talk in our Assistance Dogs II class.