By Abbey Cannan
There wasn’t a dry eye in the house when veteran Laurie Cattanach shared how his loyal Assistance Dog Buddy changed his life at PTSD Dogs Australia’s fourth birthday celebration.
PTSD Dogs Australia are a local not-for-profit organisation that rescue ‘death row’ dogs from pounds and shelters, and train them to become loyal and supportive Assistance Dogs for veterans and first responders with PTSD.
On Friday the charity held a long overdue celebration of their achievements and raised much-needed funds through a High Tea with the Hounds.
PTSD Dogs chief executive officer Angie Weeks burst into tears when she took to the podium, overwhelmed with the support from the community.
Receiving an Assistance Dog can be utterly life-changing and in some cases, even life-saving, which was the case for Laurie.
“All I’ve ever wanted to was join the military,” he said.
“At 17 I joined and went into infantry and loved it, but it destroyed by body.
“From about about 2007 onwards I probably had over 20 surgeries. Ten of them were on my spine. Chronic pain was basically always there from 2006 onwards.
“It got to the point where I was driving along the motorway after seeing a specialist and I blacked out because the pain was that bad. I passed out doing 110km/h on the Gold Coast motorway.
“So, it sucked everything out of my brain. I was angry all of the time. I had no emotions for my own daughters, I had no love for them.”
Laurie said his mental health was suffering when he met the team of PTSD Dogs Australia at Eumundi Markets.
“I started volunteering for PTSD Dogs Australia, raising money at the markets, and eventually Buddy became available,” he said.
“It will be three years this October, and basically he hasn’t left my side since then.
“I’ve got five daughters, so I said to them I want a male dog,” he joked.
Laurie said Buddy has changed his life.
“He’s trained to smell pain, so he will let me know if I sit or stand for too long he will tell me to sit or get up and move,” he said.
“Because he gives me unconditional love and affection no matter what’s happening, he’s drawing that out of me as well.
“Now my girls will give me a hug and there’s that love and affection again.
“I don’t know any other charity that doesn’t charge the handler for their dog. It is completely life changing. There’s no way I could’ve afforded to pay $40,000 for him.
“I pay them back by volunteering because I’m able to. Not all veterans and first responders can talk about their PTSD. It is emotional.”
To donate to PTSD Dogs Australia visit ptsddogs.org.au/donate/
