So, I was in the local pet store today with my wife. Just inside the door a guy named Gil Williams with Healing Paws for Heroes had an information table set up. My wife and I stopped to talk to him about what they did.
Gil had a service dog with him named Taffy. After talking a while my wife asked if she could pet Taffy. "Yes" Gil said. So Jodi gave Taffy some love and it was a fairly normal people/dog exchange. When she was done I asked if I could pet her. "Yes", was the answer again.
I want to stop to say that the anxiety that comes with PTSD sometimes come more suddenly than others. Often, I don't consciously realize that a panic attack has started. They can be sneaky bastards.
So, I squatted down to pet Taffy and she took it a step further. She detected that I was having a current anxiety problem and she refused to just set there to be petted. Instead she slowly and gently climbed up and wrapped her front legs around my neck in a hug and rested her head on my shoulder. She also didn't want to leave this position.
I'm not sure how to explain it, but this was one of the most emotional, good emotional, experiences I've had when it comes to PTSD.
PTSD is real. It is hard to explain, but it's real. And at times it's debilitating. I don't know that I can afford a service dog like that, but hopefully I can help in some way. By the way, all of the dogs trained by Healing Paws for Heroes are rescues.
Let me say again that that short time with Taffy may be a life changing event for me. They are a non-profit organization, so if you can help financially I have included their info below. Taffy has left a lasting impact on me in just a few minutes.
Here is the website for Healing Paws for Heroes: www.healingpawsforheroes.org . Please help if you can and please pray that maybe I can get a Taffy of my own. PTSD has affected my memory, but I don't think I'll ever forget those 5 minutes with Taffy.
Brodie
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