Saved by a Soldiers Best Friend: SAVED BY A SOLDIER’S BEST FRIEND By Bruce Roscoe Vietnam Veteran Army combat photographer Dogs are special. At times, they can know something is wrong...

BruceRoscoe Loc: Arizona

SAVED BY A SOLDIER’S BEST FRIEND
By Bruce Roscoe Vietnam Veteran
Army combat photographer
Dogs are special. At times, they can know something is wrong with you even before the doctors know.
Ziggy is my Australian Labradoodle service dog and he watches over me like a hawk. The two of us were trained as a team for PTSD (post traumatic stress disorder) through Soldier’s Best Friend, an Arizona non-profit organization based in Peoria with two trainers in Prescott. They work with combat veterans with PTSD or TBI (traumatic brain injuries). One of Ziggy’s tasks and many cues is to apply tactile stimulation, a maneuver where a dog applies deep pressure to a particular part of the body when the dog senses something isn’t right –thus making the person aware of a potential problem.
I actually knew something wasn’t right before I even went to the VA for a colonoscopy. It wasn’t that I felt bad, but it was something Ziggy called to my attention. He had been doing tactile stimulation on me for several weeks before my scheduled test and made it obvious that he knew there was a problem. After the colonoscopy, my doctor said something didn’t look right. A biopsy was sent to pathology to confirm the observation. In the meantime, the doctor wanted me to have some blood work done. I already knew I had cancer just because of the way Ziggy was acting. It was no surprise.
After surgery and eight days in the hospital, it was time to come home. Ziggy was so excited. He wouldn’t leave me alone. He wanted to sleep on the floor next to our bed instead of his usually place to sleep in my office.
Within a few days, Ziggy resumed the tactile stimulation. “Oh no what now?” I asked myself. When I was in the hospital, there was a concern for some type of cardiac irregularity. The VA referred me to Cardiac Care in Prescott Valley where I underwent a number of test and went home with a heart monitor. Within days I was called to return to the Cardiac Clinic where I was told I needed a pacemaker –stat.
Ziggy didn’t go to Phoenix for either operations. My wife Elaine was there by my side from early morning to late at night while I was in the hospital. I’m blessed to have such a wonderful wife. To me it was a bit humbling to be taking care of but she was and is amazing!
Now that I’m armed with a pacemaker and free of colon cancer, I’m ready to help others.
If you know of a combat veteran in our area that suffers from panic attacks, depression, flashbacks, irritability, reclusive behavior, anxiety, nightmares, uneasiness in a crowded place, or suicidal thoughts, I may be able to assist you with paperwork for Soldiers Best Friend. There won’t be any cost to you. If you don’t already have a dog under three years old, Soldiers Best Friend can find one for you. In any case, a trained service dog can be YOUR best friend. BruceR_7@yahoo.com Portrait courtesy of lasting image.
If you don’t live in Arizona you might locate a non-profit in your state that could help you. It’s worth looking into. Have a happy Veterans Day

13 Loc: I am only responsible to what I say..not what

Nice portrait!!!! Great work!!!

MJPerini

Bruce,
That is a GREAT story on lots of levels.
Thanks for sharing it.
....and Thank you for your service to our country.
God Bless

Great Pic Too

dancers Loc: melbourne.victoria, australia

and what a handsome lad he is too.

JustJill Loc: Iowa

BruceRoscoe wrote:

SAVED BY A SOLDIER’S BEST FRIEND
By Bruce Roscoe Vietnam Veteran
Army combat photographer
Dogs are special. At times, they can know something is wrong with you even before the doctors know.
Ziggy is my Australian Labradoodle service dog and he watches over me like a hawk. The two of us were trained as a team for PTSD (post traumatic stress disorder) through Soldier’s Best Friend, an Arizona non-profit organization based in Peoria with two trainers in Prescott. They work with combat veterans with PTSD or TBI (traumatic brain injuries). One of Ziggy’s tasks and many cues is to apply tactile stimulation, a maneuver where a dog applies deep pressure to a particular part of the body when the dog senses something isn’t right –thus making the person aware of a potential problem.
I actually knew something wasn’t right before I even went to the VA for a colonoscopy. It wasn’t that I felt bad, but it was something Ziggy called to my attention. He had been doing tactile stimulation on me for several weeks before my scheduled test and made it obvious that he knew there was a problem. After the colonoscopy, my doctor said something didn’t look right. A biopsy was sent to pathology to confirm the observation. In the meantime, the doctor wanted me to have some blood work done. I already knew I had cancer just because of the way Ziggy was acting. It was no surprise.
After surgery and eight days in the hospital, it was time to come home. Ziggy was so excited. He wouldn’t leave me alone. He wanted to sleep on the floor next to our bed instead of his usually place to sleep in my office.
Within a few days, Ziggy resumed the tactile stimulation. “Oh no what now?” I asked myself. When I was in the hospital, there was a concern for some type of cardiac irregularity. The VA referred me to Cardiac Care in Prescott Valley where I underwent a number of test and went home with a heart monitor. Within days I was called to return to the Cardiac Clinic where I was told I needed a pacemaker –stat.
Ziggy didn’t go to Phoenix for either operations. My wife Elaine was there by my side from early morning to late at night while I was in the hospital. I’m blessed to have such a wonderful wife. To me it was a bit humbling to be taking care of but she was and is amazing!
Now that I’m armed with a pacemaker and free of colon cancer, I’m ready to help others.
If you know of a combat veteran in our area that suffers from panic attacks, depression, flashbacks, irritability, reclusive behavior, anxiety, nightmares, uneasiness in a crowded place, or suicidal thoughts, I may be able to assist you with paperwork for Soldiers Best Friend. There won’t be any cost to you. If you don’t already have a dog under three years old, Soldiers Best Friend can find one for you. In any case, a trained service dog can be YOUR best friend. BruceR_7@yahoo.com Portrait courtesy of lasting image.
If you don’t live in Arizona you might locate a non-profit in your state that could help you. It’s worth looking into. Have a happy Veterans Day

SAVED BY A SOLDIER’S BEST FRIEND br By Bruce Rosco... (show quote)

Thank you for your service and Ziggy for saving your life! Great testimony!

UTMike Loc: South Jordan, UT

Great shot and better story!

lbarnett25 Loc: Baldwinsville, NY

Terrific photo and write up.

CCPhotoist Loc: Cape Cod

Wonderful photo and story. Happy about your recovery and your interest in helping others.

TriX Loc: Raleigh, NC

Great story and a beautiful pup - so glad you are doing well.

luvmypets Loc: Born & raised Texan living in Fayetteville NC

Beautiful portrait!!

Please give Ziggy lots of hugs and kisses from me for being so smart and for taking such good care of you.

My mother had a hearing assistance dog named Holly. She was the smartest little dog I ever met and I honestly believe that she is responsible for giving my mom a reason to not give up on things after my father passed away. I will always be grateful to her for taking care of my mom.

Dodie

Horseart Loc: Alabama

BruceRoscoe wrote:

SAVED BY A SOLDIER’S BEST FRIEND
By Bruce Roscoe Vietnam Veteran
Army combat photographer
Dogs are special. At times, they can know something is wrong with you even before the doctors know.
Ziggy is my Australian Labradoodle service dog and he watches over me like a hawk. The two of us were trained as a team for PTSD (post traumatic stress disorder) through Soldier’s Best Friend, an Arizona non-profit organization based in Peoria with two trainers in Prescott. They work with combat veterans with PTSD or TBI (traumatic brain injuries). One of Ziggy’s tasks and many cues is to apply tactile stimulation, a maneuver where a dog applies deep pressure to a particular part of the body when the dog senses something isn’t right –thus making the person aware of a potential problem.
I actually knew something wasn’t right before I even went to the VA for a colonoscopy. It wasn’t that I felt bad, but it was something Ziggy called to my attention. He had been doing tactile stimulation on me for several weeks before my scheduled test and made it obvious that he knew there was a problem. After the colonoscopy, my doctor said something didn’t look right. A biopsy was sent to pathology to confirm the observation. In the meantime, the doctor wanted me to have some blood work done. I already knew I had cancer just because of the way Ziggy was acting. It was no surprise.
After surgery and eight days in the hospital, it was time to come home. Ziggy was so excited. He wouldn’t leave me alone. He wanted to sleep on the floor next to our bed instead of his usually place to sleep in my office.
Within a few days, Ziggy resumed the tactile stimulation. “Oh no what now?” I asked myself. When I was in the hospital, there was a concern for some type of cardiac irregularity. The VA referred me to Cardiac Care in Prescott Valley where I underwent a number of test and went home with a heart monitor. Within days I was called to return to the Cardiac Clinic where I was told I needed a pacemaker –stat.
Ziggy didn’t go to Phoenix for either operations. My wife Elaine was there by my side from early morning to late at night while I was in the hospital. I’m blessed to have such a wonderful wife. To me it was a bit humbling to be taking care of but she was and is amazing!
Now that I’m armed with a pacemaker and free of colon cancer, I’m ready to help others.
If you know of a combat veteran in our area that suffers from panic attacks, depression, flashbacks, irritability, reclusive behavior, anxiety, nightmares, uneasiness in a crowded place, or suicidal thoughts, I may be able to assist you with paperwork for Soldiers Best Friend. There won’t be any cost to you. If you don’t already have a dog under three years old, Soldiers Best Friend can find one for you. In any case, a trained service dog can be YOUR best friend. BruceR_7@yahoo.com Portrait courtesy of lasting image.
If you don’t live in Arizona you might locate a non-profit in your state that could help you. It’s worth looking into. Have a happy Veterans Day

SAVED BY A SOLDIER’S BEST FRIEND br By Bruce Rosco... (show quote)

Great story, great portrait, thank you for your service!!!

dancers Loc: melbourne.victoria, australia

this is the most heart warning article i have read THANKS

EllieLady Loc: So. CA, USA

BruceRoscoe wrote:

SAVED BY A SOLDIER’S BEST FRIEND
By Bruce Roscoe Vietnam Veteran
Army combat photographer

Thank you for serving...

Happy Veterans Day to you...

Our pets make the world a better place !!!

Manglesphoto Loc: 70 miles south of St.Louis

BruceRoscoe wrote:

SAVED BY A SOLDIER’S BEST FRIEND
By Bruce Roscoe Vietnam Veteran
Army combat photographer
Dogs are special. At times, they can know something is wrong with you even before the doctors know.
Ziggy is my Australian Labradoodle service dog and he watches over me like a hawk. The two of us were trained as a team for PTSD (post traumatic stress disorder) through Soldier’s Best Friend, an Arizona non-profit organization based in Peoria with two trainers in Prescott. They work with combat veterans with PTSD or TBI (traumatic brain injuries). One of Ziggy’s tasks and many cues is to apply tactile stimulation, a maneuver where a dog applies deep pressure to a particular part of the body when the dog senses something isn’t right –thus making the person aware of a potential problem.
I actually knew something wasn’t right before I even went to the VA for a colonoscopy. It wasn’t that I felt bad, but it was something Ziggy called to my attention. He had been doing tactile stimulation on me for several weeks before my scheduled test and made it obvious that he knew there was a problem. After the colonoscopy, my doctor said something didn’t look right. A biopsy was sent to pathology to confirm the observation. In the meantime, the doctor wanted me to have some blood work done. I already knew I had cancer just because of the way Ziggy was acting. It was no surprise.
After surgery and eight days in the hospital, it was time to come home. Ziggy was so excited. He wouldn’t leave me alone. He wanted to sleep on the floor next to our bed instead of his usually place to sleep in my office.
Within a few days, Ziggy resumed the tactile stimulation. “Oh no what now?” I asked myself. When I was in the hospital, there was a concern for some type of cardiac irregularity. The VA referred me to Cardiac Care in Prescott Valley where I underwent a number of test and went home with a heart monitor. Within days I was called to return to the Cardiac Clinic where I was told I needed a pacemaker –stat.
Ziggy didn’t go to Phoenix for either operations. My wife Elaine was there by my side from early morning to late at night while I was in the hospital. I’m blessed to have such a wonderful wife. To me it was a bit humbling to be taking care of but she was and is amazing!
Now that I’m armed with a pacemaker and free of colon cancer, I’m ready to help others.
If you know of a combat veteran in our area that suffers from panic attacks, depression, flashbacks, irritability, reclusive behavior, anxiety, nightmares, uneasiness in a crowded place, or suicidal thoughts, I may be able to assist you with paperwork for Soldiers Best Friend. There won’t be any cost to you. If you don’t already have a dog under three years old, Soldiers Best Friend can find one for you. In any case, a trained service dog can be YOUR best friend. BruceR_7@yahoo.com Portrait courtesy of lasting image.
If you don’t live in Arizona you might locate a non-profit in your state that could help you. It’s worth looking into. Have a happy Veterans Day

SAVED BY A SOLDIER’S BEST FRIEND br By Bruce Rosco... (show quote)

Fantastic portrait!!!!

donphotog

God bless you, Elaine and Ziggy. Thanks for sharing your story.
Peace and blessings
Happy Veterans Day