Service dogs can help veterans with mental and physical disabilities by decreasing stress and anxiety, grounding their owner in the present moment, and predicting and alleviating panic attacks. They also provide social companionship to help veterans reintegrate into social situations. Developing a trusting relationship with a loyal service dog can help veterans rebuild trust with others as well.

1. How Service Dogs Can Help
Veterans
BY EDWARD WITHROW
EDWARDWITHROW. COM

2. Service Dogs
Service dogs are trained to
help those with mental and
physical disabilities accomplish
everyday tasks. For veterans
suffering from war-related
injuries and/or PTSD, these
dogs can change lives. The
following are some ways these
pups can help veterans.

3. Decrease
Stress
Dogs have been proven to
reduce stress and anxiety in
their owners. Since veterans
tend to experience a great deal
of stress and anxiety in daily
life, dogs are ideal in that they
provide a constant calming
presence.

4. Grounding
Presence
Not only are they great
companions, dogs are also
grounding forces. When they
are by the side of their owners,
they are a constant reminder of
what is present and real. This is
invaluable to those suffering
from PTSD.

5. Panic
Predictors
Service dogs are trained to be
able to respond to all episodes
their owner goes through. For
example, they can predict a
panic attack before it happens
and work to alleviate its
effects.

6. Social
Companion
Many veterans have trouble
reinserting themselves into
social situations. This often
stems from the anxiety of
being surrounded by a lot of
people. Service dogs can
provide a physical barrier
between veterans and others,
making sure veterans remain
comfortable.

7. Trusting
Relationship
A big thing from which veterans
tend to struggle is trust. It is
difficult for them to trust anyone
or anything when they return
from war. Dogs are loyal
creatures, and very easy to trust.
They are the first step to
rebuilding trusting relationships
with others.

8. More
Information
For more information, check out:
http://www.ptsd.va.gov/public/tr
eatment/cope/dogs_and_ptsd.as
p