A fundraiser gala to provide a local veteran with a service dog returns this weekend.
This is the second Dinner for a Dog fundraiser, which will feature a live auction, dinner, and entertainment, including a DJ, dance floor, and photo booth.
Dinner for a Dog is returning largely due to the success of last year's event.
The inaugural gala was held to benefit Okotoks veteran Paris Douglas.
Service dogs can be specialized to address a wide variety of mental health conditions for veterans with PTSD, says Douglas.
"Everyone's triggers and symptoms are very different," explained Douglas.
"I've had a number of different kinds of traumatic episodes during my life, and so I got diagnosed with CPTSD so it means multiple occurrences and I've also had a traumatic brain injury, so that caused me to mentally struggle with some stuff on top of that."
While Douglas saw improvements in some areas over the last few years, he continued to struggle in every day life and public settings, and has been hospitalized a number of times due to stress-induced angina attacks
"I got removed from work just over four and a half years ago… it was evident I wasn't coping," he recalled.
He has now had his service dog, an Australian labradoodle named Royal, for over a year.
In that time, he's seen major strides and was recently cleared to return to work.
"The change has been dramatic. Before, I'd go to a grocery store and I'd have a list and it would be very mission-focused, where I knew exactly what I needed and it would be like 'Boom boom boom boom,' in and out as fast as I could. I'd be very stressed doing it, whereas now, being with Royal, I can go in there, take my time, and be able to navigate around people a lot better and not be worried about everyone that's around me."
Douglas described a few of the ways Royal intervenes when he's struggling.
"There are lots of different things he does. For instance, he will just make a fuss of me, start licking my face and what have you, and it kind of breaks that state in me. If I'm in a public place and he recognizes that I'm struggling to be there, he will just literally pull me out. Just take me out and take me to where the car is; he knows exactly where the car is at all times. He also helps to act as a bit of a barrier in between me and other people if he recognises there may be again a chemical change in me that I'm not comfortable in talking to this person, he'll kind of get in between and if need be, create a little bit of distance as well."
Royal's name is a reference to Douglas' time as a Royal Marine in England.
"Within the Royal Marines, everyone's referred to as 'Royal.' It's kind of like a short nickname. So if you were to bump into someone and you weren't sure who they were, but you knew they served in the same outfit as you, then you can just refer to them as Royal. That's why I gave Royal his name, because it's like having that oppo back, that person that you know is on your shoulder and will literally do anything for you. That real, true brotherhood where you've literally got your life in that person's hands."
Douglas, who was initially apprehensive about being the recipient of last year's event, is thrilled to see continued support for local veterans.
His experience at the first Dinner for a Dog is something he won't soon forget.
"We had MLA RJ Sigurdson and Mayor Tanya Thorn there, and they were very supportive of the event. I know, for instance, RJ, he has so much to do with veterans, he does so much for the Rolling Barrage... so I can't thank him enough. Then all the people who were at the event that donated and all the sponsorships that came from local businesses... Thanks to all the people who live locally who supported this event both last year and this year, because that's what makes it a success. It just really emphasizes how much of a community spirit there is."
Tickets and donation information are available on the event's website.