Service Dog Essay

More veterans are using service dogs to cope with challenges. Many soldiers, sailors, and marines find the transition from combat zones back to civilization to be challenging. The use of medication is not the only option, but the use of “man’s best friend” is living up to its name. Dogs build confidence in their military handlers through unconditional love.. Many people take medication to help them cope with their PTSD. “PTSD is a disorder that develops in some people who have experienced a shocking, scary, or dangerous event” (Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder 2016). PTSD sufferers can overcome stress and depression with the aid of a pet. Instead of taking medication that has harmful effects on the body and brain, they should get a prescription for a service dog.
Promotion of service dogs should occur as the anxiety aid they are. There is no cure to anxiety or depression but there are so many different aids to
help them cope with it. People with depression take medication that can have side effects harmful to your brain. Many PTSD war veterans resort to alcohol, for they think it helps them. It is unsafe to mix medication with alcohol. People who have PTSD are usually stressed and feel frightened in normal scenarios (Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder 2016). Training service dogs can calm the body down, which prescription medication and other remedies that people take can not do.
Promotion of Service dogs would be a good way to aid war veterans.
Service dogs have no side effects other than shedding. The risk of trial and error for medication compared to the slim to none chance of risks of having a service dog. Anyone on medication is at risk of becoming addicted. Studies on service dogs show that it helps the brain cope and rebuild instead of tearing it apart, like medication can do. They are more helping than hurting. If you have troubles with certain tasks, medication can’t assist you, but owning a service dog can.
Allowing service dogs everywhere gives the handler the freedom to go places and do everyday tasks with confidence. Managing things like walking around, hearing loud trucks, and seeing bright sights are difficult for people with PTSD (Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder 2016). Sometimes it brings back flashbacks. Service dogs can sense when you are getting anxious and have ways of bringing you back to reality. Some people need help with tasks like going to the grocery store or even taking a walk. A service dog helps with
that.
Instead of prescribing medication to PTSD war veterans we should get them service dogs. The effect of medication versus the benefits of having a service dog weigh out to get a service dog. Dogs allow the handler to gain confidence that help do what medication could never do. Owning a pet can help you be happier and most people recovering from PTSD are very stressed and depressed.