Dogs add so much to our lives and in the case of assistance dogs they are like super heroes! These dogs help so many people in so many different ways.
Seeing Eye Dogs – Seeing Eye Dogs help the blind be able to get out into the public, feel safe and give them a sence of independence.
Service Dogs- assist people in wheelchairs or with other physical challenges.They can pick up dropped objects, open and close doors, turn on lights and even fetch the phone in case of an emergency.
Seizure Dogs- These dogs are so amazing they can predict a seizure before it happens and get their person to a safe place and get them to lay or sit down.
Dogs that help with panic attacks and PTSD (Post Tramatic Stress Disorder)
These dogs have an ability to stay calm no matter what as well as calm down a person with social anxiety or trouble dealing with certain situations.
Now that you know a little about who these dogs are, where is a little about what they do. Meet Boomer. A Dogue de Bordeaux who found a best friend in James.
James was in the United States Marine Corps for seven years. After seven years, he medically retired following an IED blast to his humvee. To this day he still hasn't fully recovered. He was diagnosed with many physical injuries, but the main issues were the emotional ones: PTSD and TBI following the accident.
James tried counseling but found it difficult to open up. We thought that maybe getting a dog for him would be a good thing to focus on: he could take care of the puppy and he would always have a buddy that would always listen to him, always be there for him, and never judge him.
After weeks of searching, he settled on a Dogue de Bordeaux that he actually flew in from a breeder. From the first minute they were inseparable. James taught Boomer tricks, went on long walks with him, and just hung out on the couch and watched TV. Boomer was game for anything and everything; James had found a great friend that he knew would always be there for him no matter how he was feeling that day.
Having Boomer means James could go more places like the grocery store. It may sound hard to believe, but that place is one of the hardest for James to go. It can be crowded and cramped and there are certain pathways and entrances/exits that -must- be taken by everyone. Anxiety is always high there. Boomer is so intelligent that he knows to stay by his side and not wander off to greet someone or try to take a snack from the grocery store.
This dog gives James the ability to get out again and enjoy life. Boomer doesn’t have a cape but he is a super hero to James.
Special thanks to Bryn and James W. for sharing their story.
James and Bryn