DOGS Tells other vets getting help is OK
perienced a catastrophic relapse. Rather than a relapse lasting days or weeks, this was prolonged and resulted in further permanent brain damage and disorientation.
She would never be able to work again. Her life spiraled to rock bottom for years.
“I could hardly get out of bed or walk. I rarely left the house and had frequent suicidal thoughts.”
Lebruska, who married a fellow scientist in 2004, said the strain was too much for their marriage, although they remained friends. “I was alone, depressed and not working.”
In 2018 — nine years after her catastrophic relapse —
she saw a glimmer of hope. At her doctor’s suggestion, she applied for a service dog with Tender Loving Canines, a San Diego nonprofit.
Upon acceptance into
the program, Lebruska was introduced to Orbit, a 3year-old Labrador/golden retriever.
Her first experience with Orbit came at an initial training session when she
grew fatigued and had to stop.
“I sat down, put my head in my hands and cried. Orbit came over, pressed on me and licked the tears off my face,” Lebruska said. “It was like he was saying ‘I gotcha, it’s OK.’”
Orbit is trained to detect and react when Lebruska experiences symptoms such as depression, fatig ue and loss of balance. “He picks up on everything. He can even tell when I have a nightmare.”
In addition, he reacts to
verbal commands. 60
“When I say ‘lean’ he will lean hard against my side to stabilize me. When I say ‘post’ he makes space between me and other people.”
“He is better than any medication,” she said.
When July 4 f ireworks went off, Lebruska huddled in a corner with her head down feeling PTSD effects. Orbit came over and put his head on hers. “We sat there for hours,” she said.
Lebruska, now 50, and Orbit have been together for two years. They walk to parks, shopping and “daily adventures” to different locations.
“We go everywhere together. I have conf idence because he’s with me. I take classes. I visit with people.”
“I went from not wanting to get out of bed to being excited about every day since I get to take Orbit on a new adventure,” Lebruska said.
“He’s given me my life back.”
Lebruska is an advocate for service dogs, giving presentations and particularly encouraging veterans.
“I know we’re trained to be self-suff icient,” she tells veterans. “But you don’t have to be tough. You did your job. It’s now OK to get some help.”