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.
Savy Shadowboy
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This is why dogs rule ☺️
Pete Kovac
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First off, thank you to this Vet for his service and the countless lives he saved and fought for our freedom – thank you sir! Next, Wow – barbaric…. my 75 pound German Shepherd would not agree with you at all. He always has his prong collar on when outside, and guess what…..he will walk with me 5 miles 100% off leash, he’ll run with me 100% off leash. It’s a tool to use, and you need to know how to use it. Once he hears the prong collar he knows its time to go outside and have fun. I have NEVER pulled on it to cause trama or inflict pain.
Susan Moore
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I dare you to tell me again that they’re just dogs!
Paula Allen Day
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wow amazing
Kelly Lynn Bravo
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animals get it
James Gary
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Wonderful to see his dog be able to calm him down. I feel so sorry to see this soldier have to live with some of these memories the rest of his life. I have been home 47 years and my memories still sneak up on my sometimes in my sleep.
Pete Kovac
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David Howell – very well stated. The clicker/treat method is great for a show dog that will do tricks and make people go “awe look what that dog can do, its sooooo cute”. This is what we did with our pug, and its fine for him. With our GSD, prong collar was a must – the right way (Hans Sprenger) not that crap that they sell at the big box stores made from cheap aluminum. I wanted a friend, a dog that can think for himself. When I tell him sit he understands what that means. As opposed to “look what I did for you, you’re now happy, can I have that treat now.” I was also uneducated, until our trainer said “let me show you how to use it and why it was developed”. I never looked back to the treats. He respects me and I respect him, its a working relationship. We walk side by side, we run side by side, 100% off leash with distractions. I can throw a ball over the fence and he’ll go and get it, bring it back and not want a treat. He does it because its a game between me and him, not that he’ll get a treat.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RJ8-h3fVplk
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pP22pUayZJU
Carol Wallis
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Kelly Luvmyfurbabies Smith
Judith L Heard
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If you think that is what a panic attack looks like you are dead wrong. He was getting anxious and the dog reacted. People get anxious every day. By calling this a panic attack you are minimizing what people with PTSD really go through. Did the dog stop him from progressing on to panic? Maybe. Not saying the dogs don’t help. I think they can help a great many problems.
Colleen Aussprung
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Wow seeing this happen is disturbing but hopefull!! Dogs are incredible beings that can do so much for so many!!!!
Tina Zink
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Megan Hocking
Megan Hocking
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i love a service dog im sure he would help alot with my ptsd,
Tina Zink
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I think shadow could do something like that, if trained! I agree, a service dog would be able to help and Mal would love it!
Megan Hocking
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mal is allergic to dogs so i need one like shadow. shadow is so calm when hes just laying around i think he could b trained. i dont even know how to apply for a service dogs. its easier when ur a vet cuz the va works with u but other then that there so much i dont even know how to go about apppling for
Kraut Heath
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;IGY6
Katie Clegg
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Awesome thank you both for your service, but there is no need for the collar!!
Shelley Sepelak Lappert
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Billy
Shelley Sepelak Lappert
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Billy
Tim Ellis
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Awesome that people are finding ways to help our veterans who have sacrificed for many throughout the world.
Daniel De La Cerda
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Luis Arenas Felipe Melendez
Frederick Walmsley
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I’ve got my boy
Anais Mech
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Juan Jose Arenas Correa
Robyn Earles
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Earl Bennett
Irene C. Schleich
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Dogs are indeed Gods Angels.
Kathy Somers
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This brought tears to my eyes!
Brooke Folkestad
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Scottie Simmons ❤️
Saranne Lewis
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Awesome x
Holly Reynolds
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Love this. Wish I could get funding to train our 1 yr lab to be a service dog for my son. But I have to pay out of pocket because we already own him. 🙁
Jennifer Williams
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In todays age there is no need for outdated harmful tools like the prong collar….here you have a dog working its$#%&!@*off and how do humans repay them…using tools that are painful and proven to be based on false information
Anabela Vieira
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I would like to know can shelter dogs go through this training?
Jennifer Cataffo
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Tears. Smiles.
Marty Soles
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Erik thank you for your service to our country. It’s men like you that allow us to sleep peacefully in our beds at night. I am so sorry to have PTSD. And so glad you have your little friend to give you hope. God bless you.
Tony Einerson
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Nice
Vicki Klaas Millard
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I agree about the collar. I’m glad the dogs can help with the PTSD but I am concerned about how many animals get hurt badly because of it. No one ever considers this angle. And yes, I care more about the animals so feel free to hate, idc.
Michelle Cox
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Yes i agree totally’ that k-9’s of all kinds are the best at releaveing stress & sences thease illnesses before they occur! They are a wonderful gift’ bless u
Jayne Lynch
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Yes
Rhonda Bell
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Best thing I ever did as adoptions coordinator with GSRV (Australia) was to send a dog to an ex-service personnel member. The dog has changed his life and given him something to live for. Have never met him or the dog, but I felt the connection was right and even his counselor agrees that the dog is just so right for him
Graham Doeve
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Blimey Michael Pryer I didn’t think you could do that lol
Marsha Beauregard Perilloux
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Awesome!
Clare Kellett
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I’ve seen this before and had the same arguments about the cruel prong collar !! Disgusting get rid !!! End of x
Jackie Sage
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mans best friend x
Jackie Sage
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mans best friend x
Rhonda Oakley
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Very awesome lab!!!
Ed Beattie
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Dogs are truly amazing friends. We have a great lab, but our little spaniel is truly a wonderful therapy dog. She’s been with me through some really tough times.
John Chambers
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Chelsea Chambers
Susan Davis
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So much love we get from them…if only we humans would follow their lead…(pun intended)
I Love My Labrador
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Absolutely Agree
I Love My Labrador
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Who else loves lab puppies
Joan Sneddon
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Adorable ❤️❤️
Pamela Schramm
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This brought tears to my eyes thank you so much for what you did fighting for our country I’m sorry not all of your guys got to go home I really hate that but you are home and God has plans for you to stay glad you have such a wonderful dog to help you