Service Dogs UK provides Veterans from the Armed Forces and Emergency Services suffering with PTSD the benefit of specially trained assistance dogs, at NO COST to the Veteran. The dogs we use are carefully selected from rescue, and it takes between 9-12 months of training for the Assistance Dog Partnership to graduate and achieve the required ADI accredited standards.

The bond between humans and animals is undeniable. People who have been diagnosed with PTSD often feel very isolated, depressed and can struggle at times with daily life and relationships - the world, it feels, is moving on without them without being able to do anything about it. Dogs are able to draw out even the most isolated people and through engaging with a dog, Veterans are able to overcome emotional numbness (a symptom of PTSD) Through training a dog Veterans develop new ways to communicate without anger or paranoia. Having a dog also means there is a need for a routine which helps greatly; you need to go out and exercise for example, again, physical exercise helps with battling some of the PTSD symptoms. By bonding with a dog emotionally, Veterans feel more able to be out in the world, to engage, as they can focus on the dog and through research we know this bond can release "happy chemicals" in the brain; oxytocin. This hormone allows us to be able to trust, engage with people around us - so for people with PTSD who struggle with exactly that, the bond comes with real benefits.

Learn more about Service Dogs UK here

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