Erick Scott, a veteran who served in Iraq, knows first-hand what it’s like to suffer from PTSD (Post-traumatic stress disorder – a mental health condition triggered by experiencing or seeing a terrifying event).
PTSD is also sometimes known as shell shock or combat stress, occurs after experiencing severe trauma or a life-threatening event.
For all too many veterans, it's hard to readjust to life out of the military or getting haunted by unpleasant memories and experiences. Erick was no exception.
To help him combat his anxiety, he was paired with a special service dog, Gumbo. Gumbo's main role was to notify him when he started showing symptoms of PTSD.
Watch the video on the next page to see Gumbo's amazing reaction when Scott gets agitated on camera during an interview. This is incredibly touching to see.
Rachel Chapman
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I have a 50kg Male German Shepherd, I’m half his weight not an reason for a collar of that sort. Training is the key!
Terri Trasolini
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Simply amazing.
Sheri Bingham-Hanner
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Davitt Doxey
Jacob Cornell
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Joanne, fair enough. But none of mine have every been mild at all. They’ve all been quite severe and even temporarily physically debilitating. Just saying.
Chanze Thomas
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Alexandra Thomas I honestly believe domi was ment to be a service dog
Alexandra Thomas
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♥♥
Lerry Lopez
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Marlenis Lopez
Lucie Linnington
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Tom Crossman
Norma Colwell Morey
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We have a Friend who is an Iraq vet with ptsd his service dog has done wonders for him!
Tania Rosenberger
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This is the main reason why we got our rottie Bella. She helps my husband who is a Marine who has PTSD.
Jess Jenkins
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Anne Jenkins see it’s what Rope does…. He doesn’t need the training he does it instinctively
Anne Jenkins
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I know, I saw this the other day
Alissa Lopez
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Trained service dogs use prong collars…
Alissa Lopez
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It’s really sad that everyone has to bully a mans training tool. Let’s see you guys train these animals. Anything can harm an animal if used incorrectly. We use a tiny educator on my dog, or a “shock collar” for those of you who think I’m a barbarian as well. He is a trained seizure alert, accredited through AKC CGC, and I have used the device on myself. When we put it on him, he literally doesn’t even NOTICE it. Which a majority of these dogs don’t either. So until you are using a service dog, and need a prong collar, don’t bully our tools.
Amber Mangrum
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That’s my question, why? I’m asking sincerely.
Marian Bailey Peckumn
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Thank you for your service sir…thankful you have your dog to help you
David Howell
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Marijuana isnt a drug like anti depressants or ADD medicine(basically meth) or anything else on the market. If youve never experienced it, you have absolutely no idea what youre talking about. Id much rather our soldiers smoke a joint to calm down than have to pop a xanax or any other drugs. If it was actually bad then it wouldnt be legal in multiple states. Its been proven to fight cancer cells from growing and yet im sure you have no problem with someone smoking a cigarette or drinking a beer. Both of which are worse for you.
David Howell
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Prong collars when used properly are not dangerous, cruel or inhumane. You dont sit there and pull on it and choke them. You give it a gentle tug and release which administers the correction. Ive put them around my neck to demonstrate to people like you that think they are cruel. When used properly does not hurt at all simply redirects their attention. As Kayla McCullough said when trying to control a large powerful dog this makes it incredibly easy and does not require actual force. A 90lb girl can control a 180lb st bernard using one if they wanted.
Mike Murphy
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Mans best friend!
David Howell
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Sandra Duffy with any tool theres proper and improper ways to use them. When properly used it is not harmful at all and is a wonderful training tool. You give a gentle tug and release and it redirects the dogs attention to you. Many people who have little to no knowledge of dog training see them and because it has “spikes” it must be hurting the dog which is very far from the truth. Ive worn one on my neck with the same technique administered and it did not hurt at all. You notice it but it doesnt hurt.
Many trainers who work with bigger working breeds use them. However if you have a toy poodle or something small like that theyre not really necessary. It allows you to have much better control over a large powerful dog.
David Howell
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Prong collars are wonderful tools if you know how to use them. Obviously you dont or you wouldnt be bashing them. They dont hurt at all when the proper technique is used. Ive personally worn them before to demonstrate this. A gentle tug and release is all that is needed to redirect their attention. What is terrible about a tool that doesnt harm the dog, but allows a handicapped/disabled or smaller(not as strong) person to handle a 160lb dog with ease?
David Howell
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Its a wonderful training tool and is far from cruel. You simply are uneducated on it. You dont pull on it till they do what you want. You give a gentle tug and then release and it redirects their attention. Ive worn them myself and it does not hurt. It is far better for training than a clicker or treats or any other reward based system. The dog obeys regardless if you have a treat or not and they do not get hurt or punished.
Deb Dennison
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David Howell Well, you don’t know my experiences. If you had read my entire comment, you would see that there is a new way to treat our PTSD troops without medication, especially grass. There is no need to add a suppressant to them. And, yes, depending on the person grass is used as an anti depressant and mood altering and mind manipulating method. I’d rather them use the new nondrug methods which leaves them with a clear mind, which are available to treat PTSD.
Dilraj Grewal
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Jagdev Singh Sapna Deroche watch the video
Nikki Stork
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Lexie Bell this was the dog I was talking about earlier today
Rachel Chapman
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I am far from uneudcated! I also have 2 trained security dogs so are well versed on this kind of training. Where have I said anything about cruel, clicker training or treat training? My opinion still stand on this. Wish this veteran well.
Roxanne Samii Brown
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There is everything wrong with a prong collar!
Roxanne Samii Brown
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A choke chain. Ugh, please go away.
Roxanne Samii Brown
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It’s outlawed in other countries. It should not be used.
Roxanne Samii Brown
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Who uses a stupid collar like that? Ugh.
Bev Neumann
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Stay strong guys you are incredible people who deserve our support. I know you’re in USA and lm an Aussie but all zervice men and women are brithers and sidters in arms. Sending you all kove and gratitude
Laurie Bash Rounsville
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I have a cat that can tell when I’m agitated. He gets in my face when I raise my voice and makes me pet him!
Amiejayy Smith
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it shows if they want to ban pitbulls then they don’t know$#%&!@*about dogs
Amiejayy Smith
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Roxanne Samii Brown it has never once choked my dog, might be called a choke chain but it has never once choked him
Amiejayy Smith
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I’m sorry I don’t agree with you, there is something wrong with them if used the wrong way, but there is nothing wrong with them if used properly and with attention.
Heather Pagan
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Courtney Peters aw
Clare Kellett
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You are really been silly with the comment regarding pit bulls and prong collars ! Nothing to do with each other !!! I have no comment to make about pit bulls that’s not my argument!
Karen Read
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My first thought too. How sad that these dogs show unconditional love yet they have a nasty prong collar digging in their necks. Like you say Robin, I sincerely hope they stop this outdated practice very soon.
Jenny Ashley-Smith
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Another furry Angel ……
David Howell
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Security dog? PPD or schutzhund? I can tell youre uneducated by simply calling it a security dog. If you were educated on the tool however you wouldnt be shaming someone for using a prong collar because youd know how they work, that they arent harmful and how easy they make training. I generally assume anyone who bashes on training tools uses treats or such for training which will never guarantee obedience.
Rachel Chapman
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You know nothing about me & are just making asumptions. As said I wish the vetran well.
Kelsey Lea Schoenberger
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Zach Daoust
David Howell
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I have no issues with that. My issue is that youre arguing that they shouldnt be allowed access to it when dependent on the case may help and is a much better option than many of the other drugs available.
David Howell
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Well then what type of training does your 2 dogs have then? I doubt you spent $40-80k for 2 truly trained personal protection dogs.
I wish the veteran the best as well. I simply dont understand why youre bashing a wonderful training tool in this video.
David Howell
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You were making assumptions about the tool when its clear you have no real knowledge of it. Isnt that a bit hypocritical to make assumptions and then get mad when someone else makes assumptions?
Jennie Fontaine Morrison
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My dog helps me with my panic disorder because I feel safe I have touch and doesn’t feel like I’m going to die knowing that. Dogs are truly a blessing.
Emma Potter
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My rottie won’t leave my side when I’m ill. If my Mum takes him for a walk and I’m ill, he’ll come to me first and only after I’ve reassured him will he leave me and go on his walk.
Josh Belmonte
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Tim Kavanagh
Jessica Gullickson
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Clark David Gullickson
Meghan Thomas
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I agree w the above. Having my own 65+ dog who is also a therapy dog. I am a PTSD therapist for the VA (specializing in sexual and combat trauma). Used correctly, they are safe and effective