INDIANA – World Suicide Prevention Day, observed on September 10th each year, aims to raise awareness of suicide and suicide prevention.
Today, on American soil, approximately 22 Veterans will end their own lives by suicide due in part to Post Traumatic Stress – a tragedy. Over 8,000 a year, will commit suicide.
Many American Heroes return home to find their greatest battle still awaits. For a Veteran with Post Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD), the battle is never over. They come home and find everything has changed… because they have been changed.
There is no cure for PTSD; however, with a canine Battle Buddy by their side, veterans with PTSD can reduce their symptoms with life-changing results.
Non-profit Northwest Battle Buddies is finding success with a very important partner: service dogs. Of the 212-plus teams of service dogs paired with Veterans who suffer from PTSD, the success rate for preventing suicide is 100%.
Northwest Battle Buddies Service Dogs mitigate symptoms of PTSD by:
- Interrupting anxiety attacks
- Redirecting flashbacks
- Alerting on adrenaline
- Providing social barriers in public
- Performing pressure therapy
- Providing security and safety
To learn more about Northwest Battle Buddies and Veterans’ suicide prevention click here.
