Veterans take "paws" for fighting PTSD

Four veterans take home their newly graduated ‘battle buddy’

Northwest Daily News
By Kaylin Parker
Posted May 11, 2019

NICEVILLE — Before Rocky came into his life in January, Tom Talbot, retired Air Force crew chief, struggled through his post traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) nightmares alone.

But now Talbot has Rocky, a service dog and loyal companion, that senses and smells when his owner is battling with the effects from PTSD. Talbot said Rocky will even wake him up when he’s having nightmares.

“That’s where that bond is. He knows if something is wrong with me,” Talbot said. “He’s like, ‘What’s going on? What’s a matter Dad?’ ”

Talbot was medically retired last year because of his PTSD. He said although he has a pet dog at home, the bond with Rocky is completely different.

“The first night he came home with me he jumped up on the bed, and that was it,” Talbot said.
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