PTSD AKA: Shell Shock or Combat Fatigue
As a service dog trainer, it is important to be able to understand the disability of the person who you are teaching. It is difficult to try to see the world through another person’s eyes, even more so if the person has a disability with some symptoms of which you have never experienced, however, I am not able to help with training if I can not adjust to that person’s needs.
I am familiar with invisible disabilities since I had one for most of my childhood and adult life. I can tell you this. Invisible disabilities can create an unsupported environment for those who suffer from them. This is usually because there is not enough awareness of what these people have to cope with on a daily basis. Many people will treat these individuals with disbelief or judge them for being week.
It is important to understand that PTS is debilitating. Believe it or not, people suffering from PTS are very strong. These people were strong enough to survive a life changing, traumatic incident or multiple incidents.
These experiences are not limited to traumatic accidents. Many people suffer from other disabilities that can lead to PTS. For example: I know a young lady that at sixteen years of age was considered to be popular, healthy, spirited, intelligent and headed for a bright future. Those words were commonly used to describe her. In my opinion, she still is all of the above. One day she began to feel pain in one of her legs. After many doctor visits, she was diagnosed with knee cancer.
This brave and beautiful young lady over-went chemo therapy, after having the tumor extracted, then had a knee replacement, followed up by physical therapy. She was able to keep her leg with the knee replacement.
During her recovery, she began to feel very ill. She was rushed to the hospital and was informed that her knee was not heeling. The skin would have to be removed, she would need to have additional surgery and the prosthetic knee would be exposed for a while. After months of on going hospital visits, multiple surgeries, physical therapy and trying to emotionally adjust to her new life, she made the very difficult decision to have her leg amputated.
If I remember correctly, this went on for over two years. She was still required to visit multiple doctors and specialists to help her adapt to life without her leg, and regain her health.
Her wounds were healing, she was learning to walk again and drive with her new leg. She was trying her best to move forward hoping she could put all of what had happened in those two years behind her. Unfortunately she began having other health problems. Doctors could not explain the cause. Labs and tests showed no sign of problems with her lungs, heart, or anything that would give her the symptoms she was experiencing. She was later diagnosed with PTSD and is now getting the support and medical attention she needs to help her with this disability.
Seeing the events from the family’s view, it is also difficult to witness the changes. You may feel you have no control. You may look for someone or something to blame as a defense mechanism. It is important to remember that the mood swings, depression, anxiety, and hyper-vigilance this person exhibits are not “Just in their Heads”, as many people put it. They can not just “Get over it”.
So how can you help the people whom you love suffering with PTS?
1. Educate yourself. By knowing all of this information, you will be better equipped to help and handle situations.
2. Seek professional help. PTS can escalate if nothing is done to treat it. There are many support groups, doctors, and therapists that can help you and your loved one. Putting all this on your back or your loved one is not helpful or healthy.
3. Don’t judge them. When has this ever helped any relationship?
4. Try to be available to listen. Many times people suffering with PTS do not want to talk or will isolate themselves, however, make your self available to them when they are ready or when they need to talk. Again, listen and don’t judge.
5. Respect them. It can be challenging at times, just remember they are going through a difficult point in their life.
6. Be positive and talk positive.
7. Learn to recognize when things are off. Many times they are unaware of changes in their behavior after being exposed to a trigger.
8. Include and participate in family activities in a positive way allowing them to interact with others.
9. Introduce them as who they are and not by what they suffer from. Your disabilities do not define who you are.
10. Allow them to do things for themselves. Don’t expect them to go out and do everything all at once, however, don’t allow them to become dependent on someone to do all their work.
11. Exercise as a team helps both of you stay healthy.
12. Seek out activities that will improve their self esteem. There are many activities that will help with this, however, being a service dog trainer I will promote the healing power of the human dog bond. I have seen incredible changes in people that have gone through our training program.
Please Note: It is important you understand in order for the dog to be considered a service dog, he or she must be well behaved, have a good temperament, and be able to perform trained tasks to help your loved one with PTS symtoms.
I send my best wishes to you and your loved one. As Winston Churfhill said once, “Never, ever, ever, ever, ever, ever, ever, give up. Never give up. Never give up. Never give up.”
He actually said, “Never give in.” but you know what I mean.
