June is National Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) Awareness Month —an opportunity to highlight the impact of trauma and offer support to those affected. Trauma has become a key term in the mental health field, and for good reason: research continues to shed light on how traumatic experiences reshape the brain and influence behavior. This has led to meaningful improvements in mental health care and education.
This blog provides a foundational understanding of trauma for service dog clients and trainers alike. It also explores how trauma can affect the working relationship between handlers and their dogs, and between clients and trainers.
What Is Trauma and What Does It Do to the Brain?
Trauma means different things to different people. According to the National Alliance on Mental Illness (NAMI), trauma is a deeply distressing or disturbing experience that overwhelms an individual’s ability to cope. It may result from a single event or develop cumulatively over time, and its effects can be emotional, psychological, or physical.
Importantly, trauma is highly individualized. For example, two people might experience the same car accident, but one may struggle with flashbacks and panic, while the other recovers with minimal disruption. We should never assume someone is “over” a traumatic event based on what we see. Destigmatizing trauma starts with respecting each person’s path to healing.
Research shows that trauma alters brain structure and function, particularly in three areas:
- Brainstem – This area may become hyperactive, causing heightened alertness (hypervigilance), a strong startle response, and nervous system issues such as sleep disturbances or a racing heart.
- Limbic System – Often considered the brain’s “alarm system,” the limbic system helps process emotions and memories. Trauma may cause it to stay activated, leading to symptoms like flashbacks or nightmares.
- Prefrontal Cortex – Responsible for planning, decision-making, and organizing, the prefrontal cortex may shut down after trauma. The brain shifts its priority to survival, which can result in forgetfulness, zoning out, or difficulty with daily functioning.
Trauma responses often fall into categories known as fight, flight, freeze, fear, or fawn. Some individuals may also turn to unhealthy coping mechanisms, such as substance use, to dull the painful symptoms of trauma. This is why professional mental health support is essential.
What Are Psychiatric Service Dogs—and Why Are They Important?
Psychiatric service dogs are trained to perform specific tasks that mitigate mental health symptoms. Many handlers live with trauma or a diagnosis like PTSD, though a clinical diagnosis is not required to experience trauma-related symptoms.
These dogs can be trained to do tasks such as:
- Create physical space for a handler experiencing hypervigilance by standing in front of or behind them
- Alert the handler when someone is approaching
- Wake the handler from nightmares
- Help ground the handler during dissociative episodes (e.g., by standing on their foot or using pressure)
In addition, service dogs may perform deep pressure therapy, interrupt harmful behaviors, or help navigate public spaces—tasks that can be especially important for individuals with invisible disabilities like trauma.
Because the public often lacks awareness of psychiatric service dogs, handlers may face intrusive questions or misunderstandings. Trainers can support their clients by preparing them for these encounters and helping to promote broader education and acceptance.
The following are some common questions handlers might encounter:
Q: What does your dog do for you?
A: [Dog’s name] is a psychiatric service dog trained to help me manage a medical condition. They perform specific tasks that help me stay safe and grounded.”
Trainers can help clients develop a comfortable response while maintaining their privacy. Rehearsing language like “medical condition” can help deflect further questions.
Q: But you don’t look disabled. Are you allowed to have a service dog?
A: Not all disabilities are visible. Service dogs can help people with various medical and mental health conditions.
Trainers can prepare clients for this type of question by role-playing respectful, fact-based responses that affirm their legitimacy without disclosing more than they want.
Q: Can I pet your dog?
A: Thanks for asking, but no—[dog’s name] is working now and needs to stay focused on me.
Trainers can encourage clients to maintain simple, clear boundaries. Practicing assertive but kind responses can help reduce stress during real-life encounters.
Special Considerations in the Trainer-Client Relationship
Clients with trauma may face heightened anxiety in public settings. Entering a public space with a service dog can sometimes intensify symptoms, as service dogs often attract attention from others. Trainers should work with clients to:
- Develop exit strategies during public training sessions, including how to signal a need for a break
- Discuss how to respond to public questions or comments about the dog’s role
- Talk openly about individual trauma triggers, so the trainer can help create a safe, supportive environment.
Another helpful concept is the “spoons” analogy, often used when discussing disabilities and daily functioning. A “spoon” represents a unit of physical, mental, or emotional energy. A person with PTSD may start the day with limited spoons and use them up quickly based on stressors or emotional demands. Trainers should check in regularly, adjust expectations as needed, and observe both clients and dogs for signs of fatigue or distress, such as changes in body language. You can watch a short video of one of our clients explaining spoon theory here.
Both team members—dog and human—need rest. Trainers can help normalize the idea that taking breaks or pausing training is acceptable and healthy.
Healing and Hope
Healing from trauma is possible. With the right support, the brain and body can recover, adapt, and thrive. This support may include therapy, medication, peer support, self-care, and a service dog.
Service dog trainers play a vital role in this journey. By fostering open, honest conversations about trauma, they help create a safe and supportive environment where both clients and dogs can succeed. These conversations not only strengthen the trainer-client relationship but also ensure the training process is responsive to the client’s unique needs.
An important part of that support includes safety planning. For clients living with mental health conditions like PTSD, it’s essential to have a plan in place in case of a crisis or hospitalization. Trainers and clients should work together to document the dog’s routine, food preferences, veterinary information, and emergency contacts.
When trainers approach their work with empathy, flexibility, and trauma-informed awareness, they become a powerful part of a client’s support network, helping build resilience, independence, and hope for the future.
Sarah Pellizzari is a licensed clinical social worker and professional dog trainer based in Colorado Springs, Colorado, and the owner of Southern Colorado Animal Assisted Therapy & Training. Please note that this article is not intended to give mental health advice or counseling support. If you are in crisis or need mental health resources, please reach out to https://988lifeline.org/.
Resources:
National Alliance on Mental Illness: NAMI is a great resource for gaining an understanding of and promoting mental health awareness, and this link provides specific information on PTSD.
BrainLine: This site explains the changes that might occur in the brain due to traumatic experiences and provides a helpful visual aid.
National Center for PTSD: This organization provides a wealth of information for the public regarding trauma, including understanding PTSD, treatment options, and ways to access help.
About Atlas Assistance Dogs
Atlas Assistance Dogs is a non-profit organization that fundamentally expands access to assistance dogs. We support people with disabilities to train and certify their own service dog using positive, ethical training methods. At Atlas, we believe anyone who would benefit from a qualified assistance dog should be able to have one.
We work with people with a wide range of disabilities who wish to train their own service dog as well as offer a comprehensive Academy for professional trainers wanting to become service dog trainers. For more information about Atlas’ Client Certification program or other training services, please visit www.atlasdog.org or contact info@atlasdog.org.
