More Than A Man's Best Friend

A Retired Army Sergeant Learns To Cope With PTSD With Help From A Four-Legged Friend

(CBS)  After terrifying tours of duty in Kuwait, Iraq and Somalia, a retired Army Sergeant is recovering from Post Traumatic Stress Disorder with the help of a four-legged therapist, reports CBS News correspondent Richard Schlesinger.

For two solid weeks, retired Sgt. Jim Mason and Yankee have been in intensive training.

Yankee is already a fully qualified service dog. It's Mason who is in training. He's learning to use Yankee to cope with what doctors have diagnosed as severe PTSD.

"I know I can say 'hello' to anyone with that dog and they'll smile and say 'hello' back," says Mason.

And that alone is a huge step for Mason, who still feels trapped in the real life nightmares he lived in both Gulf wars and in Somalia - especially Somalia - where his unit was ambushed while trying to provide humanitarian aid.

"I had to kill some people," Mason says as he chokes up.

Fifteen years later, he still can barely talk about it.

"You know, I mean they shot at us," he said. "We were ambushed. And if we didn't fight back they were gonna kill us. But in my heart, I didn't go there for that."

When he retired after 20 years in the military, he started noticing changes in himself. He couldn't sleep, he snapped at people, and he was afraid he'd become violent.

Now, he's got Yankee - a brand new solution for a problem as old as war. He can sense when Mason gets tense and help avoid panic attacks by staying close - a four-legged security blanket. He's also trained to keep an eye out behind Mason, and barks when he sees something or someone that Mason may consider a threat.

Yankee's used to watching and being watched. He was trained by inmates in a New York penitentiary, as part of a program called Puppies Behind Bars. And what Yankee learned in prison helps him free Mason from lingering terror.

The cliché is that a dog is man's best friend. The reality is, Yankee's a lot more to Jim Mason. He's indispensable.

[blackyowe]

Dogs sure make me feel better when I am in dispair. I wouldn''t want to ever not have a dog or two in my life.

[qualitybud]

My brother has had PTSD since he came off the plane from Vietnam, can not get benefits even though VA says he has PTSD. If it was not for his horses either team penning or horse racing he would have committed suicide along time ago. Hang in there Mr. Mason my family can relate.

[qualitybud]

My brother has had PTSD since he came off the plane from Vietnam, can not get benefits even though VA says he has PTSD. If it was not for his horses either team penning or horse racing he would have committed suicide along time ago. Hang in there Mr. Mason my family can relate.

[qualitybud]

My brother has had PTSD since he came off the plane from Vietnam, can not get benefits even though VA says he has PTSD. If it was not for his horses either team penning or horse racing he would have committed suicide along time ago. Hang in there Mr. Mason my family can relate.

[qualitybud]

My brother has had PTSD since he came off the plane from Vietnam, can not get benefits even though VA says he has PTSD. If it was not for his horses either team penning or horse racing he would have committed suicide along time ago. Hang in there Mr. Mason my family can relate.

[cheetah-man7]

Animals are such a great help to people! Regardless of the issues we face, animals bring us to a better place in our lives. There are so many wonderful pets now in Shelters just waiting for an opportunity to help us. I hope everyone will consider adopting a pet - they love unconditionally and are always there for us!

[qualitybud]

My brother has had PTSD since he came off the plane from Vietnam, can not get benefits even though VA says he has PTSD. If it was not for his horses either team penning or horse racing he would have committed suicide along time ago. Hang in there Mr. Mason my family can relate.

[qualitybud]

My brother has had PTSD since he came off the plane from Vietnam, can not get benefits even though VA says he has PTSD. If it was not for his horses either team penning or horse racing he would have committed suicide along time ago. Hang in there Mr. Mason my family can relate.

[carlylaine]

Ok, qualitybud...we get it. Your brother had PTSD when "he came off the plane from Vietnam." How many times do you have to post the same thing before you understand that we got it the first time?

[au_fait]

Why is it you never hear of PTSD from vets from WWII, Korea, ect..... At least the handfull that I have known, have been normal. Yes they choose not to speak of it, but what has happened to our society that we now have classifications of these mental problems. I appreciate and respect those that have gone to serve for us and there country and do not ever want to diminish what they have done. Without them, we would not have the right to the freedoms we enjoy and take advantage. But seriously, I konw what it is like to have taken a life and yes it bothers you if you think about it, but you put it out of your mind.

[kutyadog1]

I think this is just awesome. Animals hold a special place for a lot of people and they can do a world of good for so many people.

[jetlizhan]

i''ve owned dogs all my life - i probably couldn''t even function in life without my dogs and my great love for them (but especially theirs for me!) they possess something unique, special and giving that people just don''t have. God bless this man and this magnificent and precious dog.

[Renegade.Rivers]

Why is it you never hear of PTSD from vets from WWII, Korea, ect..... At least the handfull that I have known, have been normal.

Posted by au_fait

Many did, but back then they called it "shellshock" and not "PTSD." Another factor is that the WWI and II vets are much older these days, and the worst period for a vet who has "shellshock/PTSD" is usually over the first 20/30 years after their return. Many of the WWI, II and Korea who had suffered seriously with "shellshock/PTSD" were already gone long before most of us were born, due to suicide, or accidents caused by risk taking.

Another factor that some believe made a difference in the numbers was that veterans of WWI, II and Korea came home on ships, and since they did, they had time to make adjustments and work things out in their heads that veterans who were in combat one day and home in 36/48 hours on "Freedom Birds" never had the chance to do. There was also the fact that many Vietnam veterans, were never "debriefed" upon their return, and instead were on the street withing 24/36 hours of their return, because their term of service was over, and their was no counseling.

Another major difference was that in WWI, II and Korea soldiers were rotated of the front lines, and given time to relax and rest between engagements. In Vietnam and Iraq, there is and was no front lines per say, instead the whole area was always in danger of attack, and there was never any relief from the stress, of the combat zone.

[Renegade.Rivers]

As a Vietnam veteran, who has suffered from PTSD over the last nearly 40 years, I can attest to the comfort that pets can offer. Although my PTSD symptoms have decreased tremendously over the last 10/15 years, I have always had pets, and found that at times they were the best companions I could have ever wanted, and seemingly more understanding than most humans were or could have been. I would encourage and Iragi/Afghani veterans who are suffering from PTSD to get a pet, be it a dog or cat (I have had both,) because they can make great companions, and take away much of the stress and loneliness that those suffering from PTSD are feeling.

[beckey3452]

I love dogs too. I also love America. Go to Pitbullpalin .org and show your pride.

[usclimey]

Why is it you never hear of PTSD from vets from WWII, Korea, ect..... At least the handfull that I have known, have been normal.

Posted by au_fait

My grandfather, who fought on the Somme in 1916, certainly had what he called "shell shock." One of the reasons you didn''t find to many WWI survivors with shell shock is that a lot of them were shot for cowardice, yes, on our side. In WWII the condition was called "battle fatigue." Same stuff, different names.

[usclimey]

Some friends of mine take their dog to the children''s oncology department at the local hospital. The effect on those poor kids is wonderful to see. "Animal Therapy" really works.

[mjvw2]

under universal health care we''ll all get dogs. nothing else but you''ll get a dog

[barbaram99]

Yep this is a story that will help others and educate.Thanks to him and all vets. I love dogs. Just can''t have one where we live. I WISH HIM THE BEST AS DOGS DO LOVE AND HELP.