By Beth Bourgeois | Media and Public Relations Officer
June marked Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) Awareness Month, a time to recognize the invisible wounds many Veterans carry—and to reaffirm our commitment to supporting them in their healing journeys.
At WCC, we know that healing doesn’t always happen in a hospital room or through words alone. Sometimes, it happens through a quiet moment shared with a service dog in training. Through our Mission Based Trauma Recovery (MBTR) program, Veterans engage in a unique form of therapy—one that involves training future service dogs for fellow Warriors.
The efficacy of MBTR training is becoming increasingly recognized as a powerful tool for those managing PTSD. The benefits are well-documented: reduced anxiety, improved social engagement, strengthened sense of purpose and the development of meaningful, trust-based connections.
One Veteran who recently completed WCC’s 8-week MBTR program reflected on the impact it had on him.
“It was an awesome experience with WCC. The ladies are awesome, the dogs are awesome. What else can you say about my amazing experience. Training the dogs and learning how to train them in some of their tasks really helped me with concentration and slowing my mind down. I suffer from PSTD, TBI and anxiety amongst other things. My wife literally said the one day I was always in a good mood was the day I had an hour with the dogs. Before or after going.”
WCC’s MBTR program is grounded in science, empathy and connection (and adorable dogs). Veterans participating in the program often report improvements in mood, social functioning and overall well-being. While a service dog is not a quick fix for PTSD, the structured interaction, responsibility and emotional bond created during training can make a lasting difference.
“It can be extremely challenging for many who have served to ask for, or even accept, assistance for themselves,” said Mar Leifeld, assistant director of MBTR programs, WCC. “I think the power of WCC’s MBTR program is in the fact that we are not saying ‘you need this to improve your PTSD symptoms,’ but rather, ‘we need YOU to help us prepare these dogs for a fellow Vet.’ We want our Veterans to know that they are valued, and their service is still needed in this country—even if what that service looks like may change as they progress through life.”
PTSD is real, and help is available. There is no one-size-fits-all approach to healing, but for many, programs like MBTR are a critical step forward.
If you or someone you know could benefit from WCC’s MBTR training, please reach out to WCC at mbtr@warriorcanineconnection.org. And if you or a loved one needs immediate support, the Veterans Crisis Line (1-800-273-8255) is available 24/7.
Let’s not only to recognize the challenges Veterans face but also to advocate for compassionate, evidence-based solutions that support their recovery—one paw at a time.
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