PTSD is an acronym for Posttraumatic Stress Disorder. Traumatic events involve either 1) actual or possible death or serious injury or 2) sexual violence. Most adults have lived through at least one traumatic event and many have experienced more than one event. Trauma can also be chronic, meaning that similar events happen many times over a long period of time.

Whether the trauma was experienced on the battlefield, during military operations, or at a crime or accident scene, a building fire, a disaster or terrorist event, military members, police, firefighters, paramedics and first responders are more prone to experience extreme trauma than the average person. This extreme trauma can manifest itself in a condition called PTSD (Posttraumatic Stress Disorder).

Most people do not realize that PTSD (Posttraumatic Stress Disorder) is more than a mental health disorder. It is a disorder of the central nervous system with extreme amounts of adrenaline running through the body on a daily or hourly basis. Adrenaline also sensitizes peripheral nerves – giving them the ability to signal pain in the absence of injury – resulting in chronic pain

One of the ways those who struggle with PTSD have been able to recover and gain control over their lives again, has been with the assistance of a Service Dog.

It takes between $25,000 – $30,000 to purchase, raise and train each Service Dog.

There is no doubt that the benefits of having a Service Dog far outweigh the challenges but having a Service Dog is not the right choice for everyone who has a disability. This is where CVSDU members help veterans with PTSD. CVSDU trainers work with and serve the CVSDU, training puppies and dogs to be Service Dogs.

Click on the "Are You Ready" menu item, read our “Questions to Ask Yourself” and follow Steps 2 & 3