Bupa Foundation support for Assistance Dogs Australia
Luke lives with Post Traumatic Stress Disorder but says he’s now able to thrive, not just survive, thanks to his assistance dog, Yoyo.
Many of us know the saying “a dog is man's best friend”. That’s certainly true for Luke, who lives with Post Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) who says he’s now able to thrive, not just survive, thanks to his assistance dog, Yoyo.
The role of elite dogs to support our vision impaired community is well documented, but there’s now a growing need for dogs trained to support people with a range of other specific needs.
Assistance Dogs Australia (ADA) is a charity which provides specially-trained dogs for people who have a physical disabilities, autism, or PTSD – at no cost to them, and is one of the recipients in the latest round of Bupa Foundation Community Grants.
Luke describes his mental state as a merging of anxiety, avoidance, and major depressive disorder and says the beautiful yellow Labrador has changed his life in many ways.
“I am starting to live a life that is resembling something new,” Luke says.
I am starting to live a life that is resembling something new
“I’ve needed a lot of time and focus, and after having Yoyo for over a year now I am starting to find a new normal with a daily life and routine.
“Yoyo distracts me to keep me occupied. I ask her to ‘Visit’, and she puts her head in my lap when we’re outside and it grounds me, reminding me that she’s there and that I have a purpose.”
Luke also experiences extreme nightmares, which Yoyo can sense and comforts him.
“Yoyo has started to wake me up before I have really bad screaming dreams. I feel like I am starting to get a hold on them slightly, but it means a lot to know she is there,” he says.
“The biggest thing is I can go shopping and down the street on a daily basis. I live in a small community and being able to go out most days and do normal things has been a blessing,” Luke says.
“It has been awesome having Yoyo to help with my everyday life and I feel like I’m starting to get a routine back to some degree.”
The funding from the Bupa Foundation helps ADA continue with this initiative, which aims to empower people with PTSD, guiding them in harnessing their assistance dog's capabilities to help regulate emotions and accomplish daily tasks.
