Post Traumatic Stress Disorder Education

OUR MESSAGE IS ONE OF HOPE! We want to share our experiences with Post Traumatic Stress Disorder so that those suffering in silence will seek help and realize that there is hope.

I have proudly served in the Canadian Air Force for the past 32 years and I am now being medically released as in 2008 I sustained a service injury while deployed and I now suffer from Post Traumatic Stress Disorder.

After years of therapy and medications some of the symptoms I suffer from were not improving so I acquired a puppy and started working with a service dog trainer. Sadly that first puppy passed away due to health complications while at the Veterinarian.

Fast Forward to 2014: 'Meet Spirit of Grace' who began working with me and a service dog trainer at eight weeks of age. Spirit monitors my anxiety, helps decrease panic attacks, calms me down and is trained to perform specific tasks for me, she is the wheelchair for my mind and she is now 3 years old.

I could not imagine life without Spirit. She goes EVERYWHERE with me and has helped me heal. I have been able to help others suffering with PTSD to also come forward and get help so they can begin to heal.

My wife who is also a veteran and suffers from PTSD and I volunteer speak with Spirit and we believe that it is through transparency and education that the stigma associated with PTSD will diminish and that those suffering will have the courage to come forward and be identified.

We are passionate about properly trained service dogs and any funds we raise are directed to organizations that train and supply service dogs to veterans and first responders suffering from Post Traumatic Stress Disorder; These dogs are supplied at no cost to the person suffering from PTSD and it is only through generous support that this is able to be done.

You can read more about our Story and my first Service Dog that was in training (Skittles) through this link. The story was awarded the Prestigous Maxwell Medallion from the Dog Writers Association of America:

http://www.dwaa.org/writing-category-winners-special-2012.php

AKC Club Publication Excellence Award "A Tale of Two Pups: Aussies Aid in Veteran's Healing" - Aussie Times

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