PTSD- Think on Good -Guest Roger Weeks, CEO and Co-Founder of PTSD Dogs Australia, describes his lived experience with PTSD and how he was diagnosed. Roger explains the importance of talking to someone about your condition, thoughts, experience and how, specially trained assistance dogs make a world of difference in managing PTSD symptoms.

Post-traumatic stress disorder or PTSD impacts the lives around us with debilitating symptoms.

According to the most recent national study of health and well-being around 11% of Australians experience PTSD in their life and with women almost twice as likely to develop the illness then men.

This condition while not exclusive to frontline professionals, is often experienced for those attending to trauma events as part of their careers including ambulance, fire, police and defence service men and women.

While there are many avenues to help manage PTSD, today we look at the part of the faithful dog with co-founder of PTSD dogs Australia Roger Weeks joining us now.

PTSD Dogs Australia is a charity program based on the Sunshine Coast Queensland, training rescue dogs to be companions to assist veterans and first responders or those exposed to trauma events.

PTSD Dogs Australia; charity program www.ptsddogs.org.au

Post Traumatic Stress disorder or PTSD symptoms may vary, and it is best to consult with a medical professional about diagnosis however some of the symptoms can include being on constant alert, angry outbursts, sleeplessness, avoiding social activity or public places and unwanted thoughts and at times nightmares.

Post Traumatic Stress Disorder

Symptoms

-Being on constant alert

- angry outbursts

-sleeplessness

-avoid sensory stressors

social and public places

-nightmares and unwanted thoughts.

PTSD Dogs are specifically trained to provide support for PTSD and trauma related illness. These dogs are trained and matched to assist with specific needs and requirements, like waking the handler from a nightmare or going to the shop for groceries.

Training dogs to assist -

stress episodes, nightmares, shopping, public places, social activities

To apply for an assistance dog especially trained to support you with individual requirements-go to the website and fill out the form and PTSD Dogs Australia team will help you with the next steps. www.ptsddogs.org.au

For additional PTSD information and support go to Open Arms phone 1800 011 046 or

www.openarms.gov.au

To help the work PTSD dogs Australia is providing, go to the website to donate or register to volunteer- www.ptsddogs.org.au

Think on good is a program offering information for mind health and is not intended to replace medical treatment, professional advice or diagnosis.

If you or someone you know is experiencing mental health symptoms, for immediate support contact Lifeline 13 11 14.

conversation @thinkongood