Informative Speech Title-Service Dogs for Soldiers: New help for PTSD General Purpose-To inform Specific Purpose-To inform the audience of the new ways that are available to help soldiers with PTSD. Thesis-Soldiers have struggled with PTSD for decades and programs like Service Dogs for Soldiers brings a new way of helping combat the disorder. I. Introduction A). Attention Getter: About 7-8% of the population will have PTSD at some point in their lives. (va.gov) B). Relevance (to audience) Nearly everyone knows, or is related to someone who has served in the military or who is serving in the military. One of the most common things a soldier suffers after serving in active duty, is PTSD. It is an affliction that is not as visible as a missing limb or injured arm. However it is just as real and just as difficult as more physical problems. C). Credibility My husband was injured in the Army and as an Army wife I am all too aware of the minor and major effects that war and trauma can have one someone, physically and mentally. D). Thesis PTSD is an affliction that is not visible to the eye, but is just as real and difficult as physical injuries. E). Preview Statements Treatment for PTSD used to only involve medication. With studies and research they have found that therapy and service dogs have aided in easing the symptoms of PTSD in over 80% of patients (soldierbestfriend.org) I will be discussing how these dogs are able to aide person with PTSD in coping and adjusting to normal life after trauma. the problems it cause are A). Main Point # 1 what is PTSD? PTSD is defined as An anxiety disorder affecting individuals who have experienced profound emotional trauma, such as torture, rape, military combat, or a natural disaster, characterized by recurrent flashbacks of the traumatic event, nightmares, eating disorders, anxiety, fatigue, forgetfulness, and social withdrawal. A). Sub-point PTSD symptoms may occur right away, or may take months or years to surface. b). Sub-point There are 4 main symptoms of PTSD 1. Reliving the event: also known as flashbacks, can be triggered by a sound or noise or even a smell. (WebMD) 2. Avoiding situations that remind you of the event: doing this keeps the person from having to talk about or think about the traumatic event. (WebMD) 3. Feeling Numb: A person with PTSD will often not be able to have positive or loving emotions and avoid things that they used to enjoy. They will also avoid relationships and emotional interactions with friends and family. (WebMD) 4. Feeling keyed up: a person with PTSD will easily become agitated or angry, have a hard time sleeping, and not be able to concentrate as well as becoming very startled when someone surprises them. (WebMD) (Transition Statement) Ok, so how can a service or therapy dog help? B). Main Point # 2-How service dogs help… A service or therapy dog is a dog that is specially trained, sometimes beginning when they are just puppies. They are trained to know how to help those with PTSD cope with difficult situations. A). Sub-point They go with a person in public places such as restaurants, grocery stores, buses, etc. helping to ease any anxiety they may experience. They can bring about feelings of love. They help reduce stress. b). Sub-point Specially trained service dogs are able to go anywhere that the person with PTSD goes that most animals and pets would not be allowed to go. They are also trained to act differently than regular dogs and notice signs and behaviors of PTSD. They are also trained to put themselves between their owner and people whom get to close and could trigger a PTSD symptom, acting as a friendly “barrier” (soldiersbestfriend.org) C.) It is easy for soldiers or those in need to obtain a dog, (Transition Statement) The aide that these dogs can provide is a new and unique way to assist soldiers recovering III. Conclusion A. Summary Service and Therapy Dogs has become such a well-known and recognized way to treat PTSD that there are multiple groups that provide training of the dog and for the soldier for free. Groups like Soldiers Best Friend and Train a Dog Save a Warrior. These programs help to inform and assist soldiers that there are lots of options in getting the help that they need to heal. B. Concluding Remarks The reality of PTSD has been made more public with the large number of soldiers returning home. So the need for these programs is growing. It is important that we
Posted on: Tue, 08 Oct 2013 20:24:34 +0000
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