Five assistance dogs from PTSD Dogs Australia have graduated with “flying colours”.
PTSD Dogs Australia is a charitable organisation that places assistance dogs with veterans and first responders suffering from post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD).
The Noosa-based charity rescues dogs from shelters and trains them into certified psychiatric assistance dogs.
Related story: How rescued dogs are rescuing people in return
CEO Angie Weeks organised the graduation at the Cooroy RSL earlier this month, where they celebrated Rosie, Buddy, Henry, Blaze, Legend and their handlers.
“Our dogs have come from such varying circumstances and they have graduated with flying colours,” she said.
“I am so proud of our dogs and their achievements.”
Special guest speaker, Wide Bay MP and PTSD Dogs patron Llew O’Brien gave a $3000 grant to the organisation.
“It’s about having the right support and that is what PTSD Dogs is about,” he said.
“The dogs are trained in a way to respond to their owners and it is amazing the difference that makes.
“The connection between dogs and owners is so vital.”
People with PTSD have intense and troubling feelings related to their trauma that continue years after the experience.
They may suffer from night terrors, prolonged depression or be easily triggered.
Assistance dogs are trained to help relieve these symptoms and provide their owners with ongoing physical and emotional support.
Dogs are trained to complete tasks for their owners, such as Blaze’s ability to pick up owner Shaun Elliott’s keys, bag and walking stick for him.
Shaun spent 27 years as a clearance driver travelling the world to disarm mines and bombs.
“I was so afraid of every loud noise and I associated everything as a threat,” he said.
“I discharged after four knee reconstructions, a new hip, two shoulder reconstructions, a hand reconstruction, an ankle reconstruction.
“I ended up with a lot of pain and Blaze will lick my knee or ankles where I’m hurting so I start concentrating on him, which takes a bit of the pain away.”
The dogs are trained to help assist and calm their owners to help them maintain independence.
Ms Weeks said the graduation ceremony showed the independence the dogs give to their handlers.
“The event was on July 4, which in America is Independence Day, and we think that is pretty fitting here too because we are celebrating the independence these dogs have given to their owners,” she said.
The dogs are trained for 20 hours per week for up to 10 months before they are certified.
As the demand increases, the organisation is looking to expand to a property between Brisbane and Gympie.
The Sunshine Coast is the ideal location as it is easily accessible and the climate allows for suitable training conditions all year round.
The organisation’s donations target is $3 million, and it has already received $210,000.
If you would like to donate to PTSD Dogs Australia click here.
Mia Ludwig is a University of the Sunshine Coast Bachelor of Communication (Journalism) graduate.
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