From PTSD to PAWS

After 30 years in the Marine Corps, Ramon Gallimore faced a new battle off the field: living with post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD).

From his early years growing up in the Bronx to his multiple deployments and recruiting duties, Gallimore's journey has been marked by competence, resilience and a relentless pursuit of purpose.

Part of his pursuit was a unique, exclusive program offered by West Palm Beach VA known as Puppies Assisting Wounded Servicemembers (PAWS).

The PAWS program is a pilot aimed at supporting Veterans diagnosed with PTSD in a nontraditional therapeutic approach. The initiative involves training service dogs as part of a complementary and integrative health approach alongside other Veterans to overcome PTSD.

Veterans train the puppies to assist other Veterans, which helps in managing their own PTSD symptoms. The program is designed to explore the benefits of service dog training as a unique aid to existing PTSD treatments.

PAWS program brought better days

For Gallimore, PAWS has played a pivotal role in managing his PTSD, and it has rejuvenated his sense of purpose. "I had a real rough childhood, witnessing a lot of horrible things," he shared, including the loss of his mother months before deployment.

When life slowed down, he was haunted by the loss of his mother and the horrors of war as he adjusted to being back home.

The PAWS program brought better days. "PAWS, with its VA involvement, seemed like it could be for me because I like dogs and working with Veterans, people who understand you. I always liked dogs and seeing service dogs with Veterans intrigued me," he said.

Training service dogs for fellow Veterans allowed him to see firsthand the incredible impact these animals could have. "Seeing a service dog in action, like alerting a Veteran during a fire alarm drill, was incredible. It showed me the profound difference these dogs can make," he said.

"It made me feel good to help others."

Throughout his time training the service dogs, Gallimore experienced several significant moments that reinforced his belief in the healing power of service dogs. "Working with the dogs and handling them, seeing them respond to commands, was a breakthrough for me," he said.

These experiences not only provided him with practical skills but also offered emotional and psychological relief. "It gave me purpose again. My PTSD episodes became shorter and my anxiety levels dropped significantly. It made me feel good to be involved in something that helps others."

His story stands as a testament to the transformative power of the PAWS program and the hope it offers to Veterans.

Public link

Please use the above public link if you want to share this noodl on another website.