Posted on 08/09/2013 8:08:00 AM PDT by afraidfortherepublic
Veterans suffering from post-traumatic stress and traumatic brain injury are training puppies to become service dogs for fellow wounded warriors. The work can actually alleviate their own symptoms The Fold’s Zoeann Murphy spent some time with the pups.
(Excerpt) Read more at washingtonpost.com ...
Puppy ping
I want to be a puppy petter!
Puppy ping
I want to be a puppy petter!
Not to diminish this type of therapy (since it is clearly effective in many cases), but I suspect that task-oriented work with measurable goals and objectives — especially ones that involve positive interaction with other people — would have similar results for people suffering from a wide range of social/psychiatric disorders.
Part of the positive results come from touch. You cannot go around “petting” other people, or you might suffer the fate of San Diego’s Mayor — Bob Filner.
Good point but I think a dog brings something to the process that is unique.
Right. I’m assuming the “training” aspect of this (as opposed to just petting dogs for the sake of petting dogs) has something to do with the positive results.
Don’t discount petting dogs for its calming effect. That has been thoroughly documented and has been recommended for lowring blood pressure in ordinary folks.
Can you imagine how much fun it would be to volunteer as a “puppy petter”? You deal with only well-bred dogs. You don’t have to take them home and deal with their chewing and messes. This is almost like having grandchildren that you turn back to their parents when they get cranky, or to change their diapers! LOL
And it isn’t only puppies...although in the case of kitties I think they mean “emotional support” as opposed to “service” animals. :)
http://suite101.com/article/cats-as-a-treatment-for-post-traumatic-stress-a150387
http://www.catster.com/lifestyle/service-cat-helps-viet-vet-with-ptsd
Perve ... /s
I can speak from personal experience on this. I suffer with PTSD from time to time from a traumatic time in my life several years ago. I must take constant daily medication to keep it under control. But the best therapy I have ever had was a job that kept me so busy that I didn’t have time to think about what was ailing me. And I would go home so fatigued in the evening, all I wanted to do was go to bed and go to sleep. Also I made good friends with some I worked with, we had social events outside of the office, and even the people who I didn’t make friends with would keep my mind occupied so I didn’t think about my troubles. It also made the time go by fast. I retired about 3 years ago, and have had an occasional relapse. Not being at work made a huge difference with dealing with the problem. I would just sit on my couch with the TV on trying to do crossword puzzles or sewing projects to distract me from my thoughts. Wasn’t the same as being at my job.
I have not found anything yet that will lift this from me.
Where does one find this type of therapy and not have it cost an arm and a leg?
This is what my mother advocates for me but along with the mental issues I also suffer from severe fatigue. Hard for me to drag myself out of bed in the morning and pretty much impossible to do much but sit.
What then?
Fatigue is usually associated with depression, so you may have some of that as well. Try taking a multivitamin and eat a stable diet of foods that will boost your energy levels.
Goes much deeper than that, I think. Adrenal issues and am taking cortisol but even that is not helping much. I guess it just takes a lot of time.
Started on raw foods and juicing and have seen minimal results. And financial anxiety is not helping matters either.
Certainly seems to be no quick fix.
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