Dogs of War, a documentary series about veterans paired with shelter dogs as a form of recovery, has brought the reality of post-traumatic stress disorder to American homes.
Executive produced by Palisadian Steve Stockman who lives in the Alphabet Streets, the series premiered on Veteran’s Day on the A&E network. The show depicts the reality, struggles and challenges veterans with PTSD face after returning from combat zones.
Stockman said his goal is to make shows that are smart, engaging and can take the viewer on an emotional journey.
Rich Schmitt/Staff Photographer
Veterans suffering from PTSD are at a constant level of hyper-alertness as a result of violent and often dangerous environments they faced in combat, Stockman said.
Paws and Stripes, an organization founded by Jim and Lindsey Stanek, is the life-changing group that helps the veterans and trains the shelter dogs on the show.
Jim Stanek, the supportive lead in the series, is a veteran himself having served three tours in Iraq, Stockman said.
In the premier episode, Jim Stanek connects with a veteran named Michael, who like himself, served in Iraq and returned home suffering from PTSD, and introduces him to a caring shelter dog.
The show follows Michael’s journey of self-discovery and healing as he learns to trust his new companion and begins the road to recovery.
Stockman said the dogs are trained to recognize signs of tension and react to it. In turn, the dog’s empathic reaction helps the veteran recognize his or her symptoms of PTSD, he added.
By learning to recognize when their symptoms begin, veterans featured on the show are more able to control their state of elevated tension, which is a symptom of PTSD, Stockman said.
The dog’s reaction is a sign that they need to pay attention to how PTSD is affecting them, he said.
There are other aspects of the dog’s nature that help the veteran through the healing process, such as the animal’s natural sense of alertness.
“The dog will watch the perimeter for the veteran,” Stockman said. “The dog will look at things and the veteran will not have to worry so much.”
Stockman said he is very proud of the series because it is telling truths that need to be shared.
Veterans have told him that the series shows them things about themselves that they never saw before, Stockman said.
The act of sharing helps them go through the healing process, according to the long-time television producer.
But not all of the shows will have happy endings, he added.
“We are not making fake stuff to make the show,” he said, adding that there is an episode when there isn’t a happy resolution. “But that is reality.”
Stockman has also produced the shows Brew Dogs, The Devils Ride and others.
For Dogs of War air times, check http://www.aetv.com/dogs-of-war.
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