Dogs Helping Their Owners
A touching story about how a little pug helps his 18yr old owner cope with PTSD and severe panic attacks
A touching story about how a little pug helps his 18yr old owner cope with PTSD and severe panic attacks
We posted the article on "Empathetic dogs lend a helping paw" this morning and then heard from Caitlin and how much her Pug had helped her with the challenges she has in life, and with her permission, we are sharing with you.
From Caitlin
" I'm currently 18, and I got my dog, Strepsil, just after I turned 15. He's a pug and an absolute joy in my life.
Ever since I was 14 I struggled with anxiety and depression. As time progressed it got worse and last year I was diagnosed with PTSD and Severe panic disorder. He's helped me through the worst of my attacks and has been my best friend through it all.
I had a tendency to harm myself through episodes, and after a few weeks of having him he became aware of it. Whenever an episode would be triggered, he would run to me and sit on my lap, pushing anything that was there away. He would just sit there even if I pushed him off, he would refuse. I've attached a picture of him on my lap during a panic attack when I was scribbling on paper and he just pushed the paper off and sat there. And one where he laid next to me while I painted to calm myself. He's truly an angel. He'd lick my face and literally use his paws to push any sharp objects out of my hands and away from my body. He does everything with me, and as much as he can be he's by my side. If I lock myself in my room, or in any room that he can't get into, he goes mad and does not stop barking and crying. It's the only time he ever barks, other than that he never barks. Not at strangers or funny noises or birds, etc. Only when he can't get to me. I once took him to a dog park when I was having an off day because he loves making new friends. But he just sat at my side the entire time and comforted me. It's as if he knew before I even had an attack.
Without a doubt I can say that he has saved my life more times than I can count. He's made me feel needed and loved and has always been at my side. "
Ever since I was 14 I struggled with anxiety and depression. As time progressed it got worse and last year I was diagnosed with PTSD and Severe panic disorder. He's helped me through the worst of my attacks and has been my best friend through it all.
I had a tendency to harm myself through episodes, and after a few weeks of having him he became aware of it. Whenever an episode would be triggered, he would run to me and sit on my lap, pushing anything that was there away. He would just sit there even if I pushed him off, he would refuse. I've attached a picture of him on my lap during a panic attack when I was scribbling on paper and he just pushed the paper off and sat there. And one where he laid next to me while I painted to calm myself. He's truly an angel. He'd lick my face and literally use his paws to push any sharp objects out of my hands and away from my body. He does everything with me, and as much as he can be he's by my side. If I lock myself in my room, or in any room that he can't get into, he goes mad and does not stop barking and crying. It's the only time he ever barks, other than that he never barks. Not at strangers or funny noises or birds, etc. Only when he can't get to me. I once took him to a dog park when I was having an off day because he loves making new friends. But he just sat at my side the entire time and comforted me. It's as if he knew before I even had an attack.
Without a doubt I can say that he has saved my life more times than I can count. He's made me feel needed and loved and has always been at my side. "