OUR BEST FRIEND
THE DOG
(Hu)man’s best friend for over a thousand years - sharing a common ancestor with the wolf – the dog has protected and guarded our lands, livestock and family.
Dogs even have a long history of accompanying us into war, searching out our enemy and silently guarding encampments at night. More recently, dogs have been trained to search out weapons and explosives, bombs and boobytraps to help save soldiers and civilians alike.
Now, dogs are helping us in different ways; after the fighting has stopped, many veterans continue to be locked into the battle due to the silent wounds of mental, physiological and emotional injury.
Dogs ask little more of us than food, water and love - in return giving unconditional LOVE, SECURITY, COMPANIONSHIP and FREINDSHIP. They are hard-wired to protect their pack, and this can include us; literally putting their own life in danger to protect you and yours.
Interestingly, with a nose that is over a thousand times more sensitive than a human’s, the dog also has the ability to sense and detect when a person is affected by physical and emotional conditions. Thus, their highly developed senses and a natural empathy for us provide stability that enables psychological and emotional healing to begin.
Caring for your canine helper encourages participation in outdoor activities and fosters social interactions that has the effect of encouraging a PTSD sufferer to start thinking of WE and not ME, helping to reduce depression and stress.
Many service dogs are rescued from shelters, whilst others are pets; either way, they must be able to follow instructions without physical guidance from their owner. Loud, aggressive or excitable dogs can be difficult to train. So long as they have a temperament that allows for a calm, obedient interaction with their human, a bond with the PTSD sufferer can form.
Take me from this cage.
Give me back my life.
In return I will watch your back
I will be your canine warrior, your sixth sense.
I will stand guard and help chase the demons away,
the uninvited, cloaked in night sweats and darkness.
I will help you open your cage of solitude
then walk tall by your side into the light .
Together we stand
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