Loving border collie dog licking his boss in the park
It’s no surprise that a warm, loving, and friendly dog can help to relax you during your time of need, but you may not realize just how beneficial your pooch could really be. Scientific research has shown that dogs are capable of drawing out the most isolated of personalities, and praising an animal can prompt PTSD veterans to overcome the emotional numbness that they can feel after undergoing harrowing circumstances.
Dogs living with PTSD victims can be trained to obey certain commands and perform tricks, and teaching the dogs those commands can develop a patient’s ability to start communicating again – an issue that can be a very common problem in PTSD sufferers. The dogs can also help to assuage the hypervigilance that is common in people with PTSD, and patients have even reported that having a dog in their life has finally allowed them to start getting some sleep again. After all, they feel as though there’s someone else there with them who can stand guard while they sleep.
Having a dog could even change the way a person with PTSD behaves from a biological level. Researchers are currently looking into the fact that having a dog can lead to increased levels of the hormone oxytocin in the human system. This hormone is known for producing trust, improving the ability to interpret facial impressions, and providing the strength required to overcome issues of paranoia.
In other words, having a dog can help to eliminate most of the common symptoms associated with PTSD!
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I've always heard that owning a dog is good therapy. It makes perfect sense to me.
I have a friend with PTSD, and his dog really helped him. In fact, getting his dog was prescribed by his psychiatrist.
This was such an interesting read! It makes total sense that having a dog can help with PTSD. They don't call them man's best friend for nothing.
I can see how having a dog would help with PTSD. Taking care of them can provide a distraction, and they are so full of love for their owners as well.
Unconditional love helps so many things. I'm guessing that plays a big part in all of this... dogs are known for being amazing loyal and loving.
I totally agree! Dogs are so wonderful and caring - they really can pick up on the emotions of humans - especially their owners.
Dogs are so great for helping people emotionally. I know that mine help me out a lot, and I have a friend who has a service dog for their PTSD.
I can easily see how beneficial dogs could be for PTSD. Quality time spent with my fur baby makes any bad day brighter!
I can for sure see dogs helping with overcoming PTSD. My dogs have helped me through so much, and this would for sure be something I can see them helping with. I have one dog that i always say should go be a helper because he is pure joy.
Dogs can help us overcome anything. Dogs are such great companions