The Human-Animal Connection 86 How Service Dogs Save Lives

The Human-Animal Connection 86 How Service Dogs Save Lives

From The Human-Animal Connection - Pet Life Radio Original by Pet Life Radio

March 16, 2026 · 29 min

About this episode

Lee Atherton discusses the transformative impact of service dogs on individuals with PTSD and mental health disabilities.

There are many types of service dogs who perform unique and specific assistance to the human with whom they share a life. Lee Atherton is the founder of Phoenix Rising, a community nonprofit dedicated to helping individuals with PTSD and other mental health disabilities to access the life-saving support of a service dog. In this episode, she talks about her two service dogs, Shadow and Phoenix, and how they have transformed her life. These dogs were the anchor in her storm and allowed her to remerge from family trauma. Lee is passionate about helping others gain access to the right service dog and reminds us that even from the deepest pain, new strength can emerge, that others, too, can rise from the ashes toward healing and wholeness. For more information, and how you can support, or tell your story of your service dog, please visit her website. EPISODE NOTES: How Service Dogs Save Lives Become a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/the-human-animal-connection-pet-life-radio-original--6669311/support .

People in this episode

Guest: Lee Atherton

Topics covered

  • service dogs
  • PTSD
  • mental health
  • support animals
  • healing

Keywords

  • service dogs
  • PTSD
  • mental health
  • support
  • healing

Mentioned in this episode

Organizations: Phoenix Rising

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