How Dogs Can Help You Overcome PTSD
Plenty of past research has shown that dogs can help us to overcome issues like anxiety, stress, and depression, but did you know that your pooch could actually help you tackle the symptoms of PTSD too? More programs that provide vets with four-legged friends are popping up across the country today than ever before as research goes to show that our dogs really can be our best friends during times of need.
The Benefits of Owning a Dog During PTSD
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.
The Biological Benefits of Bonding with Dogs
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
I love this post! Dogs have some great power to help people emotionally! They have a pure heart and sincere love for people. 🙂
Dogs are absolutely amazing! I am so glad they can help people with PTSD.
Dogs and pets in general are amazing for overcoming obstacles in life. I always feel so blessed to come home to my pets.
This is a great post about how dogs help with PTSD. I have some friends and family who have that and think this would be really helpful.
Dogs are indeed a man’s best friend. They are almost human. My dog helped us so much during a very difficult situation we had.
This is great. PTSD is such an awful disorder. If dogs are the answer, everyone should get one.
I totally agree with this 100%. Dogs can be the best companions!
My brother has PTSD from the Vietnam War. I know his two dogs have helped him tremendously.