MilitarySpot.com

Serving the U.S. Army, Navy, Air Force, Marines, Coast Guard and National Guard

Online Schools
| VA Loans
Follow MilitarySpot:
 
  • Home
  • Enlist
    • Join The Army
    • Join The Navy
    • Join The Air Force
    • Join The Marines
    • Join The Coast Guard
    • Join The National Guard
    • ASVAB
    • Army Physical Fitness Test
    • Military Draft
    • Prior Service Army Enlistment
  • Career
    • Join the Military
    • Jobs for Military and Civilians
    • Career Center
    • Prior Service Army Enlistment
    • Criminal Justice
  • Education
    • Online Schools
    • Spouse Education Benefits
    • GI Bill
    • Military Schools
    • Criminal Justice
  • Benefits
    • Army Benefits
    • Navy Benefits
    • Air Force Benefits
    • Marine Corps Benefits
    • National Guard Benefits
    • Coast Guard Benefits
    • Veteran Benefits
    • Basic Pay Rates
    • Allowances
    • Special & Incentive Pay
    • Military Spouse Education Benefits
    • VA Education Benefits
    • GI Bill
  • News
    • Headline News
  • Finance
    • Debt Relief
    • Military Pay Rates
    • Military Personal Loans
    • VA Loans
    • Military Star Card
    • Military MyPay
  • Spouses
    • School Finder
    • Scholarships & Grants
    • PCS, DITY, & Moving
    • Pay Rates
    • MyCAA
    • Education Benefits
  • Community
    • Military Games
    • Military Reunions
    • Classifieds
    • Photo Gallery
    • Buddy Finder
    • MilitarySpot Pinups
    • Military Bases
  • Resources
    • Military Alphabet
    • Military Reunions
    • Military Acronyms
    • Currency Converter
    • Military Tools
    • Ranks
    • Military Time
    • Military Tactics
    • Military Discounts
    • Military Games
    • Military Videos
    • Photo Gallery
    • Infographics
    • How To
  • Travel

Specialized Dog Aids Servicemembers’ PTSD Symptoms

by Kiley Swopes
Minot Air Force Base Public Affairs

11/22/2012 – MINOT AIR FORCE BASE, N.D. (AFNS) — For some servicemembers, it’s very hard to imagine that someone really knows and understands what they are going through when facing PSTD.

Imagine a pet trained to understand the side effects that come with Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder. Imagine a pet trained to understand your symptoms to aid a path to recovery.

One such pet resides at Minot Air Force Base and is helping a member of Team Minot every day.

Meet Major, an adopted Chihuahua and trained PTSD service dog, who meets the needs of Tech. Sgt. Barbara Mendiola, 5th Force Support Squadron lodging supervisor.

PTSD is an anxiety disorder that can occur after one has seen or experiences a traumatic event that involved a threat of injury or death to the individual or others.

Mendiola’s PTSD was diagnosed after her return from a deployment to Afghanistan in 2006.

Major is certified through Service Dogs of America. Mendiola became aware of Paws for Veterans through the Wounded Warriors Project.

Paws for Veterans Inc. is a community-based, nonprofit organization that provides service dogs, training, supplies and therapeutic group sessions to Veteran and Active Duty men and women struggling with Post Traumatic Stress Disorder, Traumatic Brain Injury and Physical Disabilities.

What sets Paws for Veterans apart is that the owner assists in training their own service dog with instruction from a staff of dog trainers. Each dog is trained specifically for their owners needs.

According to the program, having the ability to train your own service dog builds confidence and a sense of accomplishment. This method creates a bond between dog and owner that is unmatched by other methods.

“I adopted Major from the pound and have had him for over a year now,” Mendiola said. “I have trained him to sense my stress, anxiety and depression.”

The program strives to improve not only the lives of service members but also the lives of the dogs that are rescued by placing them in loving homes with service members in need.

“His major function for me is if someone surprises me in my office, he will start to growl to let me know someone is coming,” Mendiola said. “If I get nervous around new people or in crowds, he will initiate play.”

According to the National Institute of Mental Health, PTSD symptoms can be grouped into three categories: re-experiencing, avoidance and hyper-arousal. Symptoms can include flashbacks, nightmares, feeling emotionally numb and being easily startled.

“Being Active Duty means I have to work,” Mendiola said. “I can be more productive if I can be relieved of my PTSD symptoms in some way.”

Major is trained to sense Mendiola’s PTSD symptoms and engage her in positive activity to refocus her attention.

“I’m better than I was before,” Mendiola stated. “I can’t say that I am totally recovered because I still have nightmares, but he makes my life easier.”

Comments

Filed Under: Air Force, Benefits, News, Personal, Resources

  • News
  • Enlist
  • Education
  • Career
  • Finance

Hicks Emphasizes Aptitude for Technology to ROTC Graduates

MAY 20, 2022 – Today’s ROTC graduates are more prepared to use the technologies the U.S. is developing and employing than ever before, Deputy Defense Secretary Kathleen H. Hicks told the National Capital Region’s graduating ROTC class today. That’s great news for the military because such preparation will be crucial in meeting the challenges the […]

Is the Army Reserve Calling You?

APRIL 27, 2022 – Graduating high school is a momentous achievement culminating in years of hard work and dedication. It also presents one of the most challenging questions many people will face in their life, “What do I do now?” Many high school students struggle with what they should do next, joining the workforce or […]

NEXCOM’s NEXT Gen Scholars Program Support Students

MAY 17, 2022 – The Navy Exchange Service Command’s (NEXCOM) NEXT gen Scholars Program offers qualified students the opportunity to win $2,500, $1,500, $1,000 or $500 each quarter for earning good grades in school. The next drawing is at the end of June 2022. To enter the drawing, students must be full-time with a “B” […]

How to Live as a Civilian After Active Duty

MAY 20, 2022 – When you were on active duty, money might not have been a huge issue. You lived on base, ate at the mess hall, and didn’t have any outstanding debt. Life was far different than what you lived prior to entering the service. But now that your time in the military is […]

DoD Authorizes Temporary Increase to 2021 BAH Rates

SEPTEMBER 27, 2021 – The Department of Defense has temporarily authorized increases in the 2021 Basic Allowance for Housing (BAH) rates for 56 housing markets (commonly referred to as Military Housing Areas, MHAs) across the U.S. Uniformed service members who have incurred increased housing costs above their current BAH may be eligible to apply and […]

Recent Posts

  • Upgrading Your Rifle: 6 Considerations to Have in Mind
  • How to Choose the Best International Movers?
  • Hicks Emphasizes Aptitude for Technology to ROTC Graduates
  • Alliances Will Be Key to Success in the Indo-Pacific
  • How to Live as a Civilian After Active Duty
MAINMENU




SITESEARCH
Can't find something? Try using our site search to dig through our entire site.



Still having trouble? Try the Advanced Search to refine your searches.
NEWSLETTERSUBSCRIBE
Sign Up To Receive Information, Updates and Special Officers from MilitarySpot.com.



Don't miss an issue! Jump in the Newsletter Archives to catch up on previous issues.
FOLLOWMILITARY SPOT

Follow us on Facebook, Twitter & StumbleUpon and more. Keep up with MilitarySpot.com news & updates. We also have an RSS Feed.

Advertise | About | Contact | Feedback | Unsubscribe | DMCA | Privacy Policy | Terms of Use
 
Copyright 2004-2022 Sun Key Publishing. All Rights Reserved.



 
This is not the official recruiting website of the U.S. Military. The site you are on is run by Sun Key Publishing, a private company, and is not endorsed by or affiliated with the U.S. Military.