Central High School's Ms. Lauren Thomas and her psychology classes are beginning a fundraiser to help military veterans who have suffered or are currently suffering from Post Traumatic Stress Disorder.
PTSD is common among many veterans and those who have gone through a traumatic event.
Those who suffer are often triggered by random events or sounds that may remind them of a traumatic event. They often bring themselves back to that time with a dreadful flashback, causing them to become frantic and/or hurt.
It is known that at least 20 percent of Iraq and Afghanistan military veterans suffer from PTSD.
Soldier’s Best Friend is a tax exempt non-profit organization based in Phoenix, Az., that trains dogs (that would otherwise be euthanized) to notice and be aware of the symptoms of PTSD. The dogs are then assigned to veterans who are suffering from PTSD. When the dog’s new owner shows a sign or acts in a way that reflects their PTSD, the dog initially reacts and focuses their owner’s attention on them, rather than the flashback. This organization raises money to get and train these animals into becoming a “Soldier’s Best Friend.”
Organizers said, "Due to our excitement over helping those who fought for our country, we, Ms. Thomas’s third and fourth period Psychology classes, are planning to raise money through a fundraiser that benefits Soldier’s Best Friend."
Their goal is to raise $2,500.
All of the money raised will go directly to the organization Soldier’s Best Friend. "We are devoted to helping our military veterans living with combat-related Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder," it was stated.
The classes are hosting a pep rally at CHS to talk about this fundraiser and get all of the students at CHS on board.
For more information on Soldier's Best Friend, go to http://soldiersbestfriend.org/.