VETERAN Dave Schell knows what it's like to suffer from post traumatic stress disorder (PTSD).
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It's why he decided to become involved in Young Diggers Limited, an organisation that trains assistance dogs and offers support services to veterans returning to civilian life. His own great dane cross labrador Lucky has helped him through his own challenges and now he trains others to do the same.
"When I punch and kick in my sleep, Lucky jumps on my legs and comfort rests for my anxiety with his head on my lap without command, so they pick up on your anxiety," he said.
"These dogs have to have a special temperament, they can't have any aggression and they pick up on emotional or chemical imbalances so he knows when to nudge me."
Mr Schell served in the Australian Defence Force for a decade, and now he wants to spread the word to veterans and emergency first responders in Tamworth that there is free help available.
Coming back in to 'normal' life can be a struggle for some, he said.
"I suppose it's hard to find where you fit in after the defence force, because you can become institutionalised and find it hard to gain employment," he said.
"I was a coal miner for a number of years and I went downhill, I was unable to work but now I have an assistance dog."
With the referral from a doctor or psychiatrist, veterans can have access to the program that helps them train their own pet to become a fully-fledged assistance dog. Man's best friend can be trained to meet a number of needs, from turning on lights, opening doors and even pulling washing in and out of the machine.
It all comes down to what the veteran needs and every dog and handler is a team.
The training takes about 12 months, for the first six the dog will be a learner before it becomes fully accredited.
Already the program has helped three dogs and their owners to become qualified, which means the assistance dogs can go into any public space from airplanes to Bunnings.
Tamworth has a high percentage of veterans and emergency responders that may have PTSD, Mr Schell said.
"I'm trying to get it known that there is a support network here, a tight-knit bunch and we train a couple of times a week.
"The dog training is free and there's no cost to the veteran for help with access to veterans affairs claims."
For more information visit youngdiggers.com.au.