In Rotterdam. there is an organization called "Operation at Ease" that pairs veterans with ptsd with shelter dogs. They have now expanded the program to include first responders who are often overlooked when it comes to ptsd. They see a lot of stuff that most of us can't even imagine.
Traditional service dogs can cost upwards of 25-45 thousand dollars and most insurance companies do not pay for them. Well, Operation at Ease recently made its first pairing of a former firefighter and EMT, Nicole Panetta with a stray dog named Oakley.
Nicole says her stress and anxiety has been greatly reduced thanks to Oakley and he is a great source of comfort when she wakes up with nightmares.
Operation at Ease is hoping to open the program even further to include nurses and essential workers. For more information, check out operationatease.org.