What is a PTSD Service Dog?
A PTSD Service Dog is a dog that is specifically trained to service and assist people with post-traumatic stress disorder and other mental illnesses including anxiety and depression which can be triggered because of a traumatic event that has occurred in someone’s life.

What are PTSD Service Dogs Trained to do?
PTSD Dogs are trained to:

• assist in a medical crisis
• provide treatment related assistance
• assist in coping with episodes of panic and anxiety attacks and emotional overload
• perform security enhancement tasks assault

What can tasks PTSD Service Dogs do?
PTSD Service Dog tasks may include

• signaling or interrupt repetitive or injurious behavior
• reminding the handler to take medication
• retrieving objects such as medicine and water
• waking the handler during nightmares or night terrors
• guiding the handler from stressful situations
• distracting the handler during episodes of panic or anxiety attacks
• preventing people from crowding around or rushing up on their handler and acting as a buffer
• environmental assessment such as turning on the lights and room searches for the handler in such cases as anxiety, paranoia and hallucinations

Each Canines 4 Hope Service Dog is trained to the handler's specific medical needs. Therefore, the above tasks are examples of tasks a PTSD Service Dog can be trained to perform.

What are Benefits of a Service Dog for someone with PTSD?
A specially trained PTSD Service Dog can provide a sense of security, calming effects, physical exercise and provide assistant which can make a positive difference in the life of those that suffer with Post Traumatic Stress Disorder. Benefits of a PTSD service dog may include

• provide an active lifestyle for the handler
• help with episodes of depression, panic attacks, night terrors
• provide companionship
• help lower blood pressure
• relieve or mitigate the handler of emotional stress, sadness, anxiousness, loneliness, anger, irritability, hopelessness, depression
• calm their handler
• provide medical assistance and retrieve help
• preventing people from crowding around or rushing up on their handler
• help adjust serotonin levels

PTSD Service Dogs for Veterans
PTSD Service Dogs can literally change the life of a Veteran or other persons with Post Traumatic Stress Disorder. Having a service dog allows for much needed companionship, medical help and behavioral distractions, thus giving a person a reason to get up and out of bed every day. PTSD Service dogs can help a Veteran remain calm by preventing people from crowding around or rushing up behind in public places which will provide a comfortable space for the Veteran. If you're a Veteran living with PTSD, a specialty trained PTSD service dog could help alleviate many of debilitating affects of PTSD such as anxiety, anxiousness, irritability, anger and hopelessness. Hope is only a phone call away!

PTSD Service Dog Training

How to get a service dog for PTSD
Canines 4 Hope creates a customized training program for a PTSD Service Dog to help those who are living with Post Traumatic Stress Disorder. The above tasks represent what a PTSD service dog is capable of performing. Each PTSD service dog is specifically trained to their owners personal needs based on their medical condition and may or may not include the above tasks described. Contact Canines 4 Hope today to take the first step in getting a PTSD Service Dog. "Hope is only a phone call away!!" Call 855-885-6262

How much does a PTSD Service Dog Cost?
At Canines 4 Hope, we train service dogs to each handlers specific medical needs. Therefore, training is extensive and costs vary depending on your needs. Please contact Canines 4 Hope and we’ll be happy to discuss what specific tasks would be required from a service dog along with the price and timeframe for training a PTSD service dog for you.

The above tasks represent what a PTSD service dog is capable of performing. Each PTSD service dog is specifically trained to their owners personal needs based on their medical condition and may or may not include the above tasked described.

Canines 4 Hope has been training PTSD Service Dogs in Florida and across the country for over 10 years. Call Us 1-855-885-6262 or contact Canines 4 Hope by Email.

"Hope Is Only A Phone Call Away"
855-885-6262

Andrew's Story
PTSD Service Dog

PALM CITY, Fla. - Around a home in Palm City, there is much more than a game of catch on the line. For Andrew Snow peace of mind has been hard to find. Two tours in Iraq left their mark. Over the past seven years Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder took over until something happened last December.

"He's my best buddy, we play together, sit and watch TV together," says Snow.

'He' is Humphrey who came running into his life. The service dog, complete with a vest and credentials, offers more than companionship. "Haven't been as depressed, more likely to go out," Snow adds.

That's precisely the reason Canines 4 Hope has made its way into the lives of people across America. It all began in the backyard of a Palm City home.

The certified dog trainer has about 12 K9s at a time training every day for five months to get them ready for work. "The benefit for us is that we're able to train for a number of different disabilities ranging from Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder to children with special needs," says Canines 4 Hope service dog trainer.

In fact, each one of the dogs has a mission. Anna the German Shepherd is headed for Michigan to help tackle another case of PTSD. Charlie the golden retriever will help a child live with autism. Sugar will alert its future owner when their blood sugar gets low. However, the biggest treat of all isn't training them but rather watching what happens after they go to a new home.

"It's joyful for me. I look at Andrew and Humphrey together and it just brings a smile to my face. It makes our efforts here all worth it," says Canines 4 Hope owner.

Nothing can take away the bond that's created when the training time of the dogs is up and they go to work.

"I have responsibility to take care of him which in turn helps me take care of myself better," says Snow.

Canines 4 Hope says a majority of the service dogs they train are for those on the autism spectrum.

For video and transcript visit: http://www.wptv.com/news/region-martin-county/palm-city/canines-4-hope-helps-people-across-america 

Jenny's Story
PTSD Service Dog

Hello, my name is Jenny.

I suffer from Post Traumatic Stress Disorder. I have been confined to my home for the past 18 months. I take several medications for my disability but none of them help me overcome the fear of being alone in a public place. The simple task of going to the supermarket for some milk would send me into a full blown panic attack. I needed to be accompanied by a friend anywhere I went. My life as I knew it made me very depressed. I found myself in a rut, I just didn't know how to get out of until I met my service dog trainer of Canines 4 Hope. I was aware of service dogs helping the blind and hearing impaired but I never knew a service dog could help me with my situation. They explained to me that if I was matched with the right dog it could give me the confidence to try and overcome my disability.

Fortunately for me we found Kiera, a two year female German Shepherd rescue. Canines 4 Hope trained Kierra for PTSD and to alert me to my panic attacks.

Kierra has changed my life. There was an instant bond the first time we met. She has given me a new found confidence. Kierra makes me feel safe. She picks me up when I am feeling down, and motivates me to do things with her. She has helped me overcome my fear of being alone in public.
Since Kierra has come into my life everything has changed. I feel so much better about myself. My depression is much more manageable and guess what, I can go to the supermarket or anywhere else I would like to go by myself, and of course with Kierra.

It has been six months now since Kiera and I have partnered, and I am proud to say that I have re-enrolled in school. The University has given me permission to bring Kierra to class with me.
Kierra and I go to school four days a week, and we take mass transit to get there.

I could not be happier with my decision to get a ptsd service dog. Thank you Canines 4 Hope. Your organization has given me a new lease on life and the courage to conquer and achieve new milestones.

Canines 4 Hope is located in Palm City, Palm Beach County, and The Treasure Coast of Florida. Our Service Dog Training services are available to clients nationwide.