PTSD and service dogs: Beneath the surface | Shannon Walker | TEDxMtHood
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- čas přidán 26. 08. 2024
- Fox News radio stations seem to think Shannon Walker is the go-to expert voice representing the power of a service-dog in the life of combat veterans. No wonder. Shannon Walker is the founder and CEO of Northwest Battle Buddies, a non-profit foundation that matches expertly trained service-dogs with combat veterans battling PTSD. Shannon’s spark comes from two loves: a deep love for dogs, and an overwhelming respect for our nation’s veterans. With 24 years as a professional dog trainer, Shannon holds both regional and international Schutzhund titles. She trains with police canine teams, rescue dogs and thousands of family pets. But, in 2011 a US veteran of the Iraq conflict changed everything by requesting Shannon’s help with his dog. Watching the transformation in this veteran ignited a desire to help others by eliminating barriers through matching service dogs with our American Heroes. Fox News radio stations seem to think Shannon Walker is the go-to expert voice representing the power of a service-dog in the life of combat veterans. No wonder. Shannon Walker is the founder and CEO of Northwest Battle Buddies, a non-profit foundation that matches expertly trained service-dogs with combat veterans battling PTSD.
Shannon’s spark comes from two loves: a deep love for dogs, and an overwhelming respect for our nation’s veterans.
With 24 years as a professional dog trainer, Shannon holds both regional and international Schutzhund titles. She trains with police canine teams, rescue dogs and thousands of family pets.
But, in 2011 a US veteran of the Iraq conflict changed everything by requesting Shannon’s help with his dog. Watching the transformation in this veteran ignited a desire to help others by eliminating barriers through matching service dogs with our American Heroes. This talk was given at a TEDx event using the TED conference format but independently organized by a local community. Learn more at www.ted.com/tedx
For every single war veteran with PTSD, we have 10 people with PTSD from childhood trauma. Yet this group is still very unknown. I have a service dog for PTSD caused by childhood trauma. My dog gave me a life back I never had. 😊❤️
Tim Baker Hi Tim! No worries, I’m happy to help. Where are you from? I’m from the Netherlands and I got my dog from a program called Bultersmekke assistancedogs. My service dog falls under my regular health insurance so there was no need to search for donations. If you’re from america you might consider owner training as an option, a service dog doesn’t need to be part of a specific program to have the same access rights, but keep in mind the ADA laws for service dogs. The only thing I strongly suggest is to contact a trainer who can help you though the process. 😊
I have double 16 yrs in parent prison and 50 yrs in the military PTSD
keep digging Sarah, I am ready to go but what I've learned can only be understood by another PTSD person, it gets easier.
There are thousands of foster kids and former foster kids with PTSD
I have PTSD and Depression because of a leg injury and other traumas, now I’m getting a service dog prospect for my issues that I gave on a daily bases
You just just tell from his eyes and voice alone how much that dog has done for him and it warms my heart 💖
My dog is great he's my best friend a rescue dog hope you are enjoying this time of year 😃🌷✌
Brilliant video. I know writing on this subject with people with childhood trauma and Complex PTSD I think this system would work also. Trigger and flashbacks are unknown when they will hit and we heal through understanding and then learning how to reparent the inner child also. It is sad there is so much trauma in the world. Thank you so much for this video. Have shared in PTSD groups I am in on face book.
That’s my husband in the pictures in the beginning in the Root 101 hat with our lab River. That was crazy to see his pictures pop up, it was a very special moment when they met for the first time.
I was fortunate to have two service dogs to help me with my physical disability. But they were so much more than that. Without being specifically trained to help with my psychological issues, they did. I don't think I would be alive now without them and their constant love and support. Ursula lived only 6 years before dying of cancer in 2002. I had 12 wonderful years with Dudley who lived from 2002 to 2014. I miss them both but try to remember all the things they taught me about life.
I am lucky to be one of veterans this organization has helped. She even hand picked my dog from a shelter before putting him through almost a year of training. He's a pit bull mix and she has trained other pit bulls from shelters, I think that's extra special. She does amazing work and has made a huge impact in the community and even beyond the NW. The training can be intense, but it pays off. When you see a lot of other 'service dogs' behavior compared to hers, you can tell who just bought a vest online.
I’ve been home a year now and I would really like to get myself a dog could you tell me where to start or what I should be doing now as far as training or dogs or what’s the first step?
@@Anthony-eg7pw I would Google service dogs for veterans and apply to any of then close to you, "close" might even be a couple states away. The waiting list was really long at the one I got, over a year. So the quicker you get your name in the better. You will likely need a doctor's note stating that a service dog will help you too, will depend on the organization training the dogs.
Wow I don't have the words to explain how this made me feel. I myself am a 35 year old disabled veteran with multiple disabilities including PTSD. 2 days ago I bought a beautiful 8 week old German Shepherd puppy in hopes that I could fit once finally have my forever friend to be with and help me through everyday. This video just touched me deeply and made me realize I need to get her trained. Thank you so much for this video.
PTSD is an awful disability. My owner, who is not a Veteran, has C-PTSD; Complex-PTSD. From many years of ongoing abuse from many people. Family and strangers alike. My job is to help her as much as I can. I am 100% owner-trained. Please respect all Service Dogs. Our jobs are very serious. Thank you.
I think owner trained dogs are better. Glad you have yours.
@@littlebitofhope1489 ty!! I think so, too :)
Service dogs are the best. What a wonderful gift they provide to our vets.
As a veteran of both Afghanistan and Iraq that has spent six months hospitalized for schizoaffective disorder I can speak to the power of dogs in my life. One in particular named Kisses that from day one has lived up to her name. She's not specially trained but I've thought about it so I could volunteer at the veteran psych ward and have her meet people. Love what you are doing here! Keep up the great work.
Great talk. Thank you very much for your WORK and your organization as well ! Yes, our Veterans are too many times continuing to pay a high, painful and difficult price for the rest of their lives after the war is over.
As a Vietnam veteran USMC I am a puppy Raiser for service dogs. My salute to all those brave men and women who gives us our freedom.
I am one of these veterans.. I am on my second service dog 🐕🦺. My life would have ended had it not been for Damian. My Rottweiler service dog was exceptional. He saved me several nights. Unfortunately. He passed away suddenly in Oct 2021..I fell apart almost immediately.. Then Dunkin, a goldendoodle puppy, showed up 4 days later.
We started training. He is on his way to being a great service 🐕🦺 dog
I feel like we should really reevaluate the systems put in place to "help" our veterans. Especially in government regulated assistance. We could be doing so much more.
C00kii0 We have to stop all wars. They are vulgar and catastrophic not only for the people who die in action and their relatives who have to deal with those deaths for the rest of their life but also for the natives and the returning soldiers with their families. They cost mythical amounts of money that can be used for a free national health system and/or development of poor areas and national infrastructure. Why, arm industries all over the world, should keep making trillions at the expense of life and civilisation and we must keep paying them for that?
My dog does this. Now I understand why thank you so much🙏🙏🙏
Service dogs are amazing. ♥️
Can Cats come too?
I'm three years late watching ths.
I am writing this with my military service dog sitting under my desk with her nose on my feet.
She, and her predecessors, have kept me from going to prison for hurting people in the supermarket checkout queue for invading my "personal space" (I don't play nicely in crowds - 48 stitches-worth of bayonet wounds can do that to a person)
Thank you for this post.
God bless you for what you do, my dog helps alot
I'm not a veteran but im waiting for my service dog. Having to wait years is torture when I know how much the dog will help me.
It's hard for me to explain to people what my service dog does for me--because I don't want to talk about why she is there. I was an firefighter and EMS director. Prior to that (as a child) i was the victim of long term physical abuse. Today, I work from home and spend my days in isolation. Rosie (my border collie / lab mix) is with me 24/7. Her primary role is at home where she keeps a sharp eye on me and intervenes if she senses stress. In public, Rosie does not really have a role aside from companionship. But I have to take her out in public as much as possible to maintain her training. I think people rightly question why the dog is there without much public function. At the same time, I am very self conscious of the attention I am bringing to my own condition (Complex PTSD) by appearing in public with my service animal. I will say, no one ever asks me about my condition and is only interested in her great behavior and training. I am lucky enough to have an owner trained dog that rivals any "certified" dog out there. She is my best friend and a life saver.
Great woman, great American, thanks for being who you are!
My dad was in the military and I believe he has PTSD. He still acts like he's in the army. He was an engineer but it doesn't matter anyway. I can't even cope with being in the army.
Be thankful for what you have. You have no idea how many people would love to have what you've got.
PTSD isn't just for veterans, its also domestic abuse victims, childhood trauma victims, victims of crime.... accident victims. Veterans shine a light on the major issue PTSD has on a person and the importance of mental health.
And yet non veterans can't get a SD provided to them.
@@littlebitofhope1489 that’s not true at all
@@alskarmode Sure it is. It is extremely rare not that someone with PTSD can get a dog from a facility. In fact, I have a friend who has a son with Cerebral Palsy and can't get a dog, even though she has many friends working with the organizations. They tell her they are all going to veterans even though they make up only 3% of the disabled population. Plus, who do you think started all of this "fake service dog" nonsense? The training facilities because they want to be the only ones to decide who gets a Service Dog. Read the NPRM. It's all there.
My ptsd service dog saved my life
Long before my Navy caused PTSD, Depression and anxiety was diagnosed, I had a 16week old puppy. She was with me for about 5 weeks before she saved my life.
I was in the act of ending it and she came in from outside, rested her head on my led and whimpered. That was enough to snap me out of it. She had not been trained.
My conditions were not diagnosed (apart from the depression) until about 15 years later. I've been getting treatment for 5+ years, and my psychiatrist has suggested getting a service dog is a good idea.
I'm an Army Veteran. My buddy Sophia was in surgery for a broke leg a month after I got her. I didn't see much of a difference missing those 2 days and one night. A year later she got her hardware out and we were separated again for two days and a night and the difference was shocking. I now know what she does for me - she gave me my life. I shower and I'm not afraid, I go to sleep knowing she will keep the demons from me before I get a full blown night terror. I can go shopping for groceries and not feel trapped or at risk. I even went to JC Penny's, just her and myself, and shopped for 45 min. Previously I would go with family members and be overwhelmed at the 15 min mark.
Now that her hardware is out she alerts me to the nerve damage in my side. She gets me to sit or rest before the pain feels like I've been tasered. I was with my sister at an Autism group and Sophia alerted on each child who was special. Their siblings were ignored, but she wanted the special kids to say hello to her. She wasn't trained to recognize my nerve pain or the children with Autism - she just started this on her own. Service Dogs are amazing.
I have a life thanks to the 13 month relationship with Sophia, my 2.5 yr old red Greyhound. Thank you God for these wonderful saviors
I'm am so blessed she in in my area. I have my 2 Jacks with her now for 30 days for training because they keep fighting. My Husband is Bi-Polar (mental illness) and the dogs feed off of his episodes. She is saving our family and I am so thankful.
I don't want to take away from the Vets though - I was shocked at the numbers of suicide. Our country need to do more to assist but until then thank the heavens for Northwest Battle Buddies!
Wonderful presentation!!! Many times it is Raven that brings me back from the brink of terror, fear and pain...
Shannon is an amazing dog trainer and an amazing person! 👏👏👏
This was a very moving video.
Thank you! It can be very difficult to not be a statistic. This minute I gain a little hope. Thank you for caring and helping. I lost my Shorty several months ago. Not a trained service dog but she knew to lick me when I disassociated. She saved my life many times. Again thank you.
Beautiful report.
It is a wonderful thing what she is doing and it deserves our support. However we need to open our eyes to the underlining cause of such a crisis. We must stop supporting our governments propensity to fight and control others. War will never be the correct answer. Those with PTSD resulting from these cruel, meaningless Bankster wars, suffer for nothing, this adds to their suffering. To many of our people have been thoroughly conditioned to believe that enlisting and even dying for such wars is honorable. We refer to them as hero's. Stop doing so and the Wars and the inevitable suffering will end and the Banksters will starve as they should.
It's not just veterans. Its CPTSD and healthcare workers as well.
💔 he described me. I'm working on thinking about trying to get a service dog. I'm trying.
Why is it service dogs get more training than a cop?????
Not all veterans with ptsd are combat either. Mst is widely ignored by many organizations who provide service animals to veterans.
I'm a frontline respiratory therapist who cared for the 1st Community spread COVID patient in the United States. I suffer from PTSD. Due to our state laws, I'm not categorized as a first responder, therefore do not have access to the financial resources that others receive. I have 3 young kids, and want to be around to see them grow up. Can somebody help me get a service dog please?
I got chronic ptsd due to narcissistic abuse
I agree, we have a mental health crisis going on in America. I was recently told that my provider might change my therapist after a year if I still require help because they expect the "problem" / "issue" to be "solved" or "fixed" within a year. Mental health needs to be worked on forever not just a few times and magically solved. I see my therapist whether I've had a good or bad week. Why? Because it's important to talk about what is good just as much as get through the horrible stuff. I think our mental health system in this country is a big part of the problem, as you aren't truly allowed to just accept you have an issue, it's always "you have an issue, it needs to be fixed". Not everything needs "fixing" some things just need recognition, patience, and understanding in order to truly help the person with it.
I am at the end of where my coping mechanisms can help me. I have debilitating panic attacks, sometimes upwards of 4 per day. I can’t function during one of these episodes, they’re terrifying, and no one around me seems to take notice, or care, even though I am still a minor and live with my parents. I’ve been told that I’m ‘Too young to be sick like that’
I have a very severe anxiety disorder, and severe depression. I hurt myself on a daily basis and have contemplated much worse several times. The only reason I’m still here is because I was too out of it and tired to come up with a plan that would actually work.
I have trouble leaving my room at night, and there have been times where it’s taken hours to leave my room for fear of what might be lurking in the dark on the other side. I have trouble going to the bathroom, for fear that someone is going to harm me, so I wait hours on end, freaking out the entire time.
All of this is so tiring, and it keeps getting worse. I can’t go out in public because I know I’ll have a panic attack, since I can’t function and it’s very apparent when I have one it’s very embarrassing. The thought of having a panic attack in public makes me panicky to the point of having an anxiety attack.
For most people anxiety levels are at a 0 or 1 on a scale of 10 most of the time. My anxiety levels ride at 4 if I’m really relaxed. I’m never resting, I’m always worried that I’ve done something to upset someone, that people hate me, my family members are going to leave, or come down with a deadly sickness. Going out in public pushes me to a level of about 8, and that’s when I have panic attacks. I can’t function.
I don’t know what to do. I don’t know if all of this would qualify me for a service dog. Talk therapy helped at first, but the coping mechanisms that I was given don’t work when I’m actually having an attack. I’m not thinking rationally enough to focus on my breathing, I’m trying to not make a scene.
I don’t know what to do.
Thank you for listening, and I’m here to talk of you need
I love this, wonderful project. I just wish wars will stop so no more innocent people get these problems in the first place, while the ones who create the wars and send citizens to fight are sleeping comfortably on their beds.
God, family and country?? In Portland?? Not a popular set of beliefs in that part of the world. Bless you for what you do for theae heroes.
My Dog is my constant companion. She has never had the training to be a companion Dog, because for the most part I don't trust.... I have PTSD, and when I have to leave my dog alone, she gets very upset and is beside herself when we are reunited. The Companion Dog program denies people who have K9 companions, on terms other than America's CORP-ORATE terms. . We the People are slaves to our masters in DC.
Join a service dog group for your area on Facebook! They can help you find resources and help you along the way.
Companion animals are NOT service animals.
How do I get help with PTSD my doc doesn't believe me or my family
If possible see a different doctor, Google local services /helplines ask their advice if your doctor is unhelpful 😊💖
Go to your local VA hospital emergency room and let them know how you are feeling. You are not alone. I believe you. Go get help. You earned it.
@@lovinmymelanin787 thank you I don't know who to trust my councillor died of cancer I'm currently writing my first book I appreciate your comment but I have no friends alive anyway I cant txt anyone in my country wat app would you recommend to that's for ppl like me that can socialize on a trusted website or anything honest ❤😇✌🌷🕯
@@futuregirl8803 can I ask were your from don't mean to be intrusive just asking 😇🌷🕯❤
@@timbaker2597 thank you ha I wish I was in California I'm in Dublin Ireland the concrete jungle thanks for your comment 😁🕯😇😂
Dogs can teach us a lot about life. We can also be a friend to those in need just by giving your fellow humans a little support here and there. Even just a smile sometimes is all it takes to change another persons day for the better. How hard is that? And how much self respect and self love will it give you to know you are a force for the betterment of all our lives by simply just smiling at others on a regular basis? Put good out into the world, and more good is out there to come back to you as well. ^-^
Could do with less of the military hero worship, but other than that, great talk.
Indeed
Everything this woman says is truth
Vocês poderiam colocar legendas em todos os vídeos, afinal de contas, muitos brasileiros gostam do seus conteúdos.
Great video
Cats are nice too, they know where to poop and urinate, are polite and discrete about their feces, come to you when they want affection or want to give affection but on the downside they do tend to destroy belongings if you don't discipline them properly and leave them room to cause mischief such as leaving your closet open or restroom open where they destroy clothing or toilet paper.
Cats can not be service animals.
Just stop the wars ans buy a dog..
Fevronija Kesic Stop the wars and....GET.... a dog. Animals become members of our families. They are not objects to be bought and sold.
@@PaulSmith-pf2uq I agree 1 000 000% . Thank you for saying that!
@@PaulSmith-pf2uq I agree, buddy, but you still have to get one, unless one is brought to you as a gift.. No offence there, on the contrary..
Fevronija Kesic Adopt one from an animal centre. Don't buy from pet stores or breeders. That's slavery.
@@PaulSmith-pf2uq That's exactly how I've always done it.. ( ;
I tried suicide 4 times in my past and all failed attempts and now Im starting to feel the same way again and it really sucks but my service dog is always with me to calm me down and tells me everything is ok oh the traffic is crazy he stands in the middle and he puts his paw on my arm and pulls it towards him to pet him and I calm down I start getting thoughts and he comes up on my lap and his way of saying I'm here to it's ok life is really really hard for me I just wanna cry all the time just wanna die alot of times but I keep going bc of my dog and my mom she needs me as well and I can't be selfish and take my own life and plus what will God say or do to me if I do actually succeed in my suicide attempts will I be in a darker place than I am in now or will I be in a better place like how everyone says oh he or she's in a better place now no more pain or suffering and I wonder can I be in a better place if I commit suicide bc I am a good guy I just have negative thoughts negative outcomes I cant think clearly I can't concentrate I'm quickly distracted I live in fear everyday bc without my mom and my service dog where would I be who do I have to turn too who else would help me not one person bc of trust u just can't trust anybody anymore and it's a shame
Who is come hear to read the comments
Not only veterans have ptbs.
Good that veterans can get a service dog helping with their PTSD, but if you get PTSD in a different way, or have other severe psychological issues, you're with your back up against a wall, at least in my country in Europe. 20k to 40k euros to have a dog trained but not covered by insurance...
It's the same here. 3% of disabled people are veterans. Yet they get 90% of the dogs. I sends a clear message that other disabled people are less valuable.
I’m wanting to get myself a support dog from PTSD from being in military and being a first responder now I feel like it may resolve some of my issues can anyone tell me where to start as far as trainings, dogs or anything just to get started? Thank you everyone
Support dogs are NOT service dogs and can not go out with you anywhere.
Jason Haag
Leashes Of Valor
14 x more likely of suicide than death by combat woah didn't know that . Just like anything though some people do abuse the system w service dogs but overall seems to work pretty well ..
What exactly is the point of bringing that up here? There are always going to be people who will abuse things. You can say that about literally anything (as you yourself so aptly pointed out).
Awareness ... ( sensitive much )
Thank for your work. I think it despicable that goverments send innocent individuals in pursuite of policy agenda's, only to ruin their lives.
Which is best👍💯
A) Tedx (like)
B)Josh talks (comment)
But what animals were mixed in to make much smaller and larger dogs, shorter hair or fur and colour variances? I cannot see a wolf in mini pincer or poodle for example. There has to be a squirrel or something else there along that line. There couldn't have wolves that small. I get domestication but breeding wolves with wolves will give you more of the same, right?
Obviously you did not "hear" what she said. ALL dogs are genetically 99.9% the same as wolves, just because a shitsu or pomerainian doesn't look like a wolf, doesn't mean they are not genetically almost identical. If you don't know what that means look it up yourself in any search engine. Better yet take a free science /biology or genetic class online. Listen to the the talk carefully from the beginning, if you "listen" maybe you will hear her answer your concern.
I have a sd for ptsd I have failed to commit suicide and anxiety due to my ptsd and mobility.
An hero is hwo has committed or attempted or thought of suicide
Nao tem legenda de traduçao para Brasil?
Brava Luciana Littizzetto che oltre a fare la comica in Italia è anche impegnata in America
nice dog
👍
whats up with the fuckin leaves
omfg we don't deserve dogs...
What happens to these veterans when their service dogs die?
Aditi Kakkad They get a new one if they still need one.
@@peonysystem2090 will it not lead to even more depression if such a lovely and close animal dies?
Aditi Kakkad No one should get a dog if they aren’t well aware of the fact that it will die someday.
Usually a service dog will work for about 10 years, depending on the breed, and then they will retire because they’re getting old, slower, weaker, etc. Then we get a new puppy to train and let the first service dog live out the rest of it’s life spoilt rotten and comfortable and loved as a pet.
Everything was lovely until the "Freedom" talk. For that, "Citation needed".
Great..PTSD