Meet Heather and service dog Suriel
Heather and yellow Labrador Suriel sitting on a tree.
My PTSD is from military sexual trauma. It’s important to me that people know that because it’s so huge. So many women have suffered from it. Having a dog has made such a difference for me this last year, and Suriel will help make it easier in the future. I’m just really, really thankful for everybody at Southeastern Guide Dogs.
Suriel has been hanging out with me a lot and has been so loving and caring. Having somebody by my side has helped me already. Just being a comforter that I can love on and rub her ears when I start being really anxious. I can take out some of my stress on that. Not very many people will let you hug them for very long but I can hug Suriel for as long as I want to!
My husband is a late shift police officer. I can cuddle with Suriel when he doesn’t get home until midnight. I live daily with paranoia—listening at doors and windows—so I rely heavily on my dog to let me know if somebody’s there, especially when I’m taking a bath or shower. If my dog is calm, then I know that what I’m hearing isn’t really there. That is a huge comfort for me. If I am panicking, she will be a great asset.
