Page 734 - Total War on PTSD

different? I accept that I am not PTSD...it doesn’t define me...but I treat it as a partner sometimes when it makes me strong and as an enemy when it makes me weak.
Assault carries many faces. My mental, emotional, physical and spiritual foundations were all under attack. It was suffering that could not be put down in words. I dealt with headaches which have been the bane of my existence. I have facial and jaw injuries, neck and shoulder injuries, back and hip injuries. I deal with body image issues and an eating disorder. I have very strong inherited DNA, so I have withstood these injuries and refuse to allow them to put me in a state of doing nothing. I push myself sometimes relentlessly. I am a workaholic and still watch for, and try to manage, my triggers.
I have a Service Dog named Annie. She is now four years old and I adopted her in 2016. We are a family of four plus. My husband also has his own Service Dog, an 80-pound Pitbull, who is also four years old, who we rescued two years ago. We also rescued a wonderful 100-pound Pitbull (an emergency rescue) and has been placed with a female Marine Veteran as her Service Dog.
My life with horses, dogs, parrots, reptiles and various other animals has been a blessing for me. I didn’t realize all these years that I had, in some small way, depending on the animal, service animals. My Service Dog Annie alerts me before I have a panic attack; reminds me when I am getting triggered by pawing my leg; goes to the door and paws it to let me know my time is up; supports me with my migraines by licking my face; helps me with my balance issues in case of fall risk; and comforts my when my anxiety surfaces. She also alerts for my blood sugar levels. I don’t go anywhere without my Annie. She has been my rock for the past two years.
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