Dog therapy for trauma in Ballarat

Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) is an anxiety disorder that occurs after experiencing or being exposed to traumatic events. PTSD develops from exposure to actual or threatened death, serious injury, or sexual violation. This exposure can occur in different ways that lead to developing PTSD:

  • An individual might directly experience a traumatic event, such as an assault, natural disaster or a car accident.
  • A person might develop PTSD after witnessing in real time another person exposed to trauma. This can be as distressing as experiencing trauma yourself and is a common mental health risk for emergency services, disaster response or community support professionals (e.g. healthcare workers and police). 
  • PTSD can also be diagnosed after learning about a trauma of a person close to you. Research suggests individuals are especially vulnerable to this type of PTSD when a close person experiences a violent or accidental death.
  • Repeated exposure to the details of trauma is another way PTSD can develop. Again, first responders and military personnel are vulnerable to this type of PTSD.

PTSD is not diagnosed when a person experiences feelings of trauma or distress vicariously through the media or film.

Everyone can experience stress during or after difficult times, but PTSD is characterised by its intensity and persistence. While most people recover from the initial shock, individuals diagnosed with PTSD continue to relive the trauma months or years later, sometimes having significant effects on their mental health and wellbeing.

Dog-assisted therapy for trauma and PTSD

Incorporating PTSD support with canine therapy at Barking Mad Company can enhance traditional treatments in several ways:

Reduce anxiety and hyperarousal: Petting or being near a therapy animal can lower cortisol (stress hormone) and regulate heart rate and blood pressure.

Enhancing emotional regulation: Animals provide unconditional support, reducing feelings of isolation, guilt, and shame. Interacting with animals promotes oxytocin release, fostering calmness and trust.

Encouraging social connection and routine: PTSD often leads to withdrawal. PSTD counselling with therapy dogs helps clients practice social engagement in a non-judgmental way.
Caring for an animal provides a sense of purpose and routine, counteracting avoidance behaviours.

Supporting exposure therapy: Having trauma therapy with dogs present during trauma recall or in anxiety-inducing situations can create a sense of safety, making exposure therapy more manageable.

Be sure to have a look at our other animal therapy services and treatment areas, including veterans and eating disorders.

 

Combining evidence-based PTSD treatments with animal-assisted therapy can enhance emotional regulation, reduce distress, and provide a comforting presence during the healing process.
Common symptoms of PTSD
  • Intrusive symptoms such as flashbacks, nightmares or intense reactions to reminders of the traumatic experience.
  • Avoiding people, places or reminders associated with your trauma or suppressing (consciously or unconsciously) thoughts about your experience.
  • Feelings of guilt and shame or detachment from others.
  • Sleep difficulty, hyper-vigilance, irritability or anger outbursts.
Evidence-based treatments for PTSD
  • Cognitive Behavioural Therapies (CBT) including cognitive processing and prolonged exposure therapy that help reframe unhelpful thoughts and gradually expose you to traumatic memories in a safe environment to overcome avoidance and fear.
  • Eye movement desensitisation and reprocessing (EMDR) which uses guided eye movements while recalling trauma, helping the brain reprocess distressing memories and reduce their emotional intensity.
  • Medication including SSRIs that can be prescribed by your GP and work as an adjunct to counselling therapies with your psychologist.
Emma Cotsell, Psychologist, Barking Mad Company

Living with PTSD can feel overwhelming, but you don’t have to go through it alone.

At Barking Mad Company, we offer evidence-based PTSD treatments combined with animal-assisted therapy to create a supportive and calming environment for healing. Whether through CBT, EMDR, or working alongside our therapy dogs, we tailor treatment to your needs, helping you regain control and improve emotional well-being.

Take the first step toward recovery in a safe and welcoming space by scheduling an appointment with Barking Mad Company today.

 Schedule appointment