(NewsNation) — Roughly 6% of the U.S. population will experience symptoms of post-traumatic stress disorder at some point in their lives, many of those veterans. For those struggling, service dogs can help provide support and independence.
Veterans who have adopted service dogs say the support from a service animal has helped them regain independence and lead a more normal life while dealing with a disorder that can cause debilitating panic attacks and flashbacks.
While service dogs may be more well known for tasks like helping visually impaired people navigate the world or performing tasks like opening doors or picking up items for those with mobility issues, PTSD dogs help with emotional distress.
One study found the most important role PTSD service dogs play is disrupting anxiety attacks. The dogs can sense their owner’s moods, alerting them to increasing anxiety and prompting them to focus on the dog to help relieve mental distress. The dogs can also wake people up from nightmares caused by PTSD.
Dogs can also block others from approaching, creating space for someone who is having a PTSD attack, and can warn of people approaching to prevent their owner from being startled.
It’s only recently that the Veterans Administration has begun recognizing the use of service dogs. In 2021, President Joe Biden signed the PAWS Act, which created a pilot program to have veterans with PTSD and service dogs help train other dogs.
Taking a dog from adorable puppy to fully-trained service dog is a long process and one that has typically relied on outside organizations, since the cost of training can reach upward of $25,000, according to various estimates.