It was said that dogs have a sixth sense–they can sense things more than a human can do.
Amber, an 8-year old terrier cross, has an exceptional skill in sensing sadness and stress in people in the military. She is there to help military personnel to recover from PTSD. She is considered as a PTSD awareness dog.
Amber was from a rescue center. Families had rejected her for five times.
When Steve Murphy, a Navy veteran, went to the rescue center to find a dog to be his retirement companion. When he saw Amber, he felt an instant connection with her.
Steve also suffered from PTSD and believed that he got it from his last assignment in Bosnia. He shared that Amber also helped him recover and overcome depression.
Steve said that he was ready to take his life. He took tablets, and when he was about to ingest more, Amber came into the room. She sat in front of him with her paws on his knee. Amber was somehow telling Steve to stop whatever he plans to do.
Steve then realized that he couldn’t take suicide.
Amber is part of group therapy meetings of military veterans. She is also involved in a fund-raising activity of Combat Stress and the Veterans United Against Suicide groups.
Steve was able to observe that Amber can single out those people who are very distressed and need more attention and care.
In one therapy session, Amber saw a veteran who looked very upset. She approached the man, put her nose on his knee, and the man started to cry. He looked down on Amber, stroked her, and started talking about his feelings.
Steve and other PTSD military patients are thankful for Amber. Without Amber’s intervention, they might have already taken their lives.
Continue to help people, Amber!
Thanks to Jeff Williams via Facebook for the photo used in this article!
