Free Republic
Browse · Search
News/Activism
Topics · Post Article

Skip to comments.

How Dogs Can Help Veterans Overcome PTSD
The Smithsonian ^ | 8-12-12 | Chris Colin

Posted on 08/12/2012 9:02:10 AM PDT by afraidfortherepublic

Going to the movies was the worst: the crowds, the dark, the whispering.

“I would constantly be scanning for who was going to come stab me from behind,” says Robert Soliz, a 31-year-old former Army Specialist from San Joaquin, California. He was discharged in 2005 after serving in a heavy artillery quick-reaction force in South Baghdad. But fear, anxiety, depression and substance abuse swept into his life, and Soliz became one of 300,000 U.S. veterans of the wars in Iraq and Afghanistan with a diagnosis of post-traumatic stress disorder.

Isolated, his family deteriorating—“I couldn’t show affection, couldn’t hug my kids”—Soliz turned to the Palo Alto V.A. Medical Center. One recent morning, he talked about his progress. Hanging from his belt was a container of doggie treats, a link to the treatment he credits with saving his life. Soliz participates in Paws for Purple Hearts, one of four experimental programs nationwide that pair veterans afflicted by PTSD with Labrador and golden retrievers. Launched in 2008 by a social worker named Rick Yount, the program arranges for a veteran to spend six weeks with a dog, training it to be a mobility-assistance animal for a physically disabled veteran.

It’s no surprise that a doe-eyed creature like the one at Soliz’s feet can soothe, but other benefits are less predictable. The animals draw out even the most isolated personality, and having to praise the animals helps traumatized veterans overcome emotional numbness. Teaching the dogs service commands develops a patient’s ability to communicate, to be assertive but not aggressive, a distinction some struggle with. The dogs can also assuage the hypervigilance common in vets with PTSD. Some participants report they finally got some sleep knowing that a naturally alert soul was standing watch.

Researchers are accumulating evidence that bonding with dogs has biological effects, such as elevated levels of the hormone oxytocin. “Oxytocin improves trust, the ability to interpret facial expressions, the overcoming of paranoia and other pro-social effects—the opposite of PTSD symptoms,” says Meg Daley Olmert of Baltimore, who works for a program called Warrior Canine Connection.

About 300 vets have participated in these programs, and some graduates who Yount worried “wouldn’t make it” report impressive strides. Congress has commissioned a study, underway in Florida, to assess the effectiveness of canine-caretaking on PTSD.

Soliz says his life is slowly coming back to him. He now can go to the movies without panicking—and hug and kiss his two kids.


TOPICS: Business/Economy; Culture/Society; Miscellaneous; News/Current Events
KEYWORDS: dogs; ptsd; vets; war

Robert Soliz, a 31-year-old former Army Specialist, participates in Paws for Purple Hearts, one of four experimental programs nationwide that pair veterans afflicted by PTSD with Labrador and Golden Retrievers.

Video at source.

1 posted on 08/12/2012 9:02:23 AM PDT by afraidfortherepublic
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | View Replies]

To: Joe 6-pack; brytlea

Golden Retrievers saving the world!

Doggie Ping


2 posted on 08/12/2012 9:04:04 AM PDT by afraidfortherepublic (ABO)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 1 | View Replies]

To: afraidfortherepublic

We’ve had a very bad year. My husband was diagnosed with prostate cancer, and my 15 year old daughter was diagnosed with a movement disorder, dystonia. I already have a daughter with a brain injury.

I think all of us have been depressed and stressed.

I never wanted a dog, but my daughters and my husband did. In April, we adopted a little 9 pound poodle mix.

I’m so glad we adopted her. She has definitely lifted the mood in our house. Everyone (including me) love her.

I think this program sounds like a good idea!!


3 posted on 08/12/2012 9:15:12 AM PDT by luckystarmom
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 1 | View Replies]

To: luckystarmom

You’re going through an awful lot, luckystarmom. Prayers for you and your family. I am so happy that your little doggie helps with the mood. Dogs bring so much joy to our life. They ask for so very little in return.


4 posted on 08/12/2012 9:17:37 AM PDT by momtothree
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 3 | View Replies]

To: afraidfortherepublic

“knowing that a naturally alert soul was standing watch” How can you say it better than this? Our military has been standing watch over us for a long time. Dogs can now stand watch over them and give them peace. They deserve this more than anyone else. God love them.


5 posted on 08/12/2012 9:20:38 AM PDT by RC2 (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nDMeDmV0ufU)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 1 | View Replies]

To: afraidfortherepublic

Great Article. There is no greater healer than a loyal friend that depends on you.

At least it’s not about how they might serve them at the White House.


6 posted on 08/12/2012 9:21:11 AM PDT by Steamburg (The contents of your wallet is the only language Politicians understand.)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 1 | View Replies]

To: afraidfortherepublic

Dogs are proof that God loves us.


7 posted on 08/12/2012 9:23:12 AM PDT by GBA
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 1 | View Replies]

To: afraidfortherepublic; Allegra; big'ol_freeper; Lil'freeper; TrueKnightGalahad; blackie; ...
Re: How Dogs Can Help Veterans Overcome PTSD

Yes, President Obama says one meal of dog a day will help veterans' health... but "...leave the hide on, that's where all the vitamins and ruffage is!"

8 posted on 08/12/2012 9:35:35 AM PDT by Bender2 ("I've got a twisted sense of humor, and everything amuses me." RAH Beyond this Horizon)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 1 | View Replies]

To: afraidfortherepublic
Going to the movies was the worst: the crowds, the dark, the whispering.

Sometimes, as we now all know, being paranoid at the movies is appropriate.

9 posted on 08/12/2012 10:27:12 AM PDT by Sherman Logan
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 1 | View Replies]

To: GBA
Dogs are proof that God loves us.

muslims hate dogs. Do the math...

10 posted on 08/12/2012 10:33:33 AM PDT by null and void (Day 1301 of our ObamaVacation from reality - Heroes aren't made Frank, they're cornered...)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 7 | View Replies]

To: null and void

Exactly right. I’ve never understood islam’s appeal. It is what it is.


11 posted on 08/12/2012 10:37:41 AM PDT by GBA
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 10 | View Replies]

To: AnAmericanMother; Titan Magroyne; Badeye; SandRat; arbooz; potlatch; afraidfortherepublic; ...
WOOOF!

Computer Hope

The Doggie Ping list is for FReepers who would like to be notified of threads relating to all things canid. If you would like to join the Doggie Ping Pack (or be unleashed from it), FReemail me.

12 posted on 08/12/2012 1:51:25 PM PDT by Joe 6-pack (Que me amat, amet et canem meum)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 2 | View Replies]

To: SandRat

Sandrat: Are you taking care of the doggie ping list today?


13 posted on 08/12/2012 1:51:58 PM PDT by afraidfortherepublic (ABO)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 8 | View Replies]

To: SandRat

Fuggedibowdit! I see that Joe pinged the list. Sorry to have bothered you.


14 posted on 08/12/2012 1:54:36 PM PDT by afraidfortherepublic (ABO)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 13 | View Replies]

To: RC2
And so it has ever been.

They sleep peacefully in their trenches because rough dogs stand ready to do violence on their behalf.

Semper Fi, indeed.

15 posted on 08/12/2012 1:59:29 PM PDT by Salamander (Truth is hate to those who hate the truth.)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 5 | View Replies]

To: null and void
And they hate black dogs, most of all.

Yo, Mo!


16 posted on 08/12/2012 2:02:01 PM PDT by Salamander (Truth is hate to those who hate the truth.)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 10 | View Replies]

To: afraidfortherepublic

Not officialy. I saw the tory about the mother dog rescueing her pups and couldn’t pass it up.


17 posted on 08/12/2012 2:07:12 PM PDT by SandRat (Duty - Honor - Country! What else needs said?)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 13 | View Replies]

To: afraidfortherepublic

My CFC donation (I work for MCCS) goes to a program that trains service dogs for wounded warriors. I know how much dogs have done for me, so it’s easy to see how much they can do for them. I love this article.


18 posted on 08/12/2012 2:41:52 PM PDT by USMCWife6869
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 1 | View Replies]

To: luckystarmom

May God heal your family and give you the strength you need.


19 posted on 08/13/2012 1:56:29 PM PDT by dervish (ABO)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 3 | View Replies]

Disclaimer: Opinions posted on Free Republic are those of the individual posters and do not necessarily represent the opinion of Free Republic or its management. All materials posted herein are protected by copyright law and the exemption for fair use of copyrighted works.

Free Republic
Browse · Search
News/Activism
Topics · Post Article

FreeRepublic, LLC, PO BOX 9771, FRESNO, CA 93794
FreeRepublic.com is powered by software copyright 2000-2008 John Robinson