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Mind Beyond the MissionAuthor: Brian McKenna and Laryssa Lamrock
Dive deep into the real issues experienced by Veterans, former RCMP members and Families living with mental health injuries. Mind Beyond the Mission is a podcast focused on having authentic conversations that are gritty, honest and informative. Mind Beyond the Mission is hosted by Laryssa Lamrock and Brian McKenna, members of the lived experience team at the Atlas Institute for Veterans and Families. Language: en-us Genres: Education, Health & Fitness, Mental Health, Self-Improvement Contact email: Get it Feed URL: Get it iTunes ID: Get it |
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How can service dogs support Veteran healing? A conversation with John Dugas
Episode 36
Wednesday, 25 February, 2026
Hosts Laryssa Lamrock and Brian McKenna are joined by John Dugas, a Canadian Armed Forces (CAF) Veteran who has dedicated his life to service both in uniform and beyond. John is a certified service dog trainer who pairs Veterans and first responders with specially trained, certified service dogs through his work with Courageous Companions. John also shares about how service dogs have played a role in navigating his own journey with traumatic brain injury. Their conversation highlights the powerful bond between humans and dogs and the life-changing role that compassion, structure and trust can play in recovery. They explore the unique differences between service dogs and pets, and important considerations for Veteran Families thinking about seeking a service dog.Key topicsThe key differences between a psychiatric service dog and a pet dogThe benefits and misconceptions about service dogs in mental health treatmentRealistic expectations on bonding, training and the ongoing commitments of having a service dogThe importance of timing and readiness for both the Veteran and their Family membersNavigating public spaces and unexpected interactions related to your service dogGuidance and common questions on selecting reputable service dog organizationsThe significant role Family plays alongside the service dog in a Veteran’s healing ResourcesCourageous Companions: A Canadian charity that provides quality-trained, certified service dogs to military Veterans and first responders Information about service dogs: Learn how service dogs can help relieve symptoms of operational stress injuries and what defines a service dogVeterans Affairs Canada: Evaluating the effectiveness of service dogs for Veterans with PTSD — an information brief from a research studyExamining changes in posttraumatic stress disorder symptoms and substance use among a sample of Canadian Veterans working with service dogs: An exploratory patient-oriented longitudinal study, published in the Journal of Veterans StudiesRoyal Canadian Legion: Veterans, mental health and the service dog connection— Read an article advocating for national training standards for service dogsResources for Families and friends: Includes information on signs and symptoms of posttraumatic stress injuries, potential impacts on Families and coping strategiesLire en français ici : atl-as.ca/mbtm-ep36-fr
