Military dog barking

The Mayo Clinic defines PTSD as “a type of anxiety disorder that’s triggered by a traumatic event.  You can develop PTSD when you experience or witness an event that causes intense fear, helplessness or horror.”

The traumatizing experience can be anything, from abuse and neglect, to fireworks or witnessing war.  Gina, is a military service dog profiled in the article US PTSD Military Dog.  Gina is a highly accomplished bomb-sniffing German Shepherd, but after her wartime experiences in Iraq, she has come home with many of the same symptoms that servicemen and woman present.

As sensitive and observant beings, canines are affected greatly by their experiences, positive or negative.  Gina was witness to war atrocities, and explosive sounds, and these memories are now imprinted on her in a detrimental way.  Veterinarians have varying opinions, as to whether dogs can truly develop PTSD.  But, as PTSD is the result of one’s nervous system being altered by trauma (putting it in constant flight or fight mode), it makes sense that dogs would be affected in the same way.

People diagnosed with PTSD, experience biological changes, affecting stress hormones and chemicals in the neurotransmitters.  This can cause the nervous system to get stuck, so to speak, in a perennial flight or fight state. 

Look at a dog who has been abused, and notice his wariness, the way he’s conscious of all escape routes, and his general discomfort if anyone looks at him.  He’s ready to run, or attack, because his mentality is stunted in that fear; in those imbedded memories of his trauma.   These same behaviors can be seen in abused children, witnesses to crimes, and, most certainly, to those who have experienced war firsthand.

For sufferers of PTSD, human or canine, help should be sought as soon as possible, to prevent suffering long-term symptoms.  For people, psychotherapy and medication are in order, plus gentle love and support.

With dogs, we can use some of the same therapy techniques, such as gradual exposure therapy, and, of course, much love, support and patience.  Canine anxiety mediation is also available, plus alternative therapies such as pheromone diffusers and aromatherapy.   Gina, the service dog, is doing well now, after a year of such therapy and guidance.

Whether we can define what a dog experiences as PTSD or not, looking at the clinical and behavioral descriptions, it seems that our four-legged friends have an equal capacity to carry their trauma negatively, as humans do.

For more information about PTSD:  Mayo Clinic on PTSD