What is PTSD?
Posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) is a psychiatric disorder that may occur in people who have experienced or witnessed a traumatic event, series of events or set of circumstances. An individual may experience this as emotionally or physically harmful or life-threatening and may affect mental, physical, social, and/or spiritual well-being. Examples include natural disasters, serious accidents, terrorist acts, war/combat, rape/sexual assault, historical trauma, intimate partner violence and bullying,
PTSD has been known by many names in the past, such as “shell shock” during the years of World War I and “combat fatigue” after World War II, but PTSD does not just happen to combat veterans.
An estimate one in 11 people will be diagnosed with PTSD in their lifetime.
People with PTSD have intense, disturbing thoughts and feelings related to their experience that last long after the traumatic event has ended. They may relive the event through flashbacks or nightmares; they may feel sadness, fear or anger; and they may feel detached or estranged from other people. People with PTSD may avoid situations or people that remind them of the traumatic event, and they may have strong negative reactions to something as ordinary as a loud noise or an accidental touch.
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WHO WE SERVE
7 out of every 100 veterans will have PTSD, according to the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs. Suicide rates among veterans are the highest in the country.
We aim to honor and help those who have served our country by providing highly trained service dogs, a battle buddy and companion to help the Veteran enjoy a higher quality of life.
In turn, we use rescued and rehabilitated Belgian Malinois dogs, a breed commonly used in the military known for their intelligence and intense loyalty. Often misunderstood when not adequately trained or worked, these beautiful dogs often find themselves turned over to shelters.
Our goal is to leave both dog and handler wondering who rescued who.
Vision
As a non-profit organization, our vision is to partner deserving veterans with deserving dogs to build a life-long friendship and bond that will enhance the life of both.
