Sitting in her Yarraville home, Donna Howard shakes her right knee.
It’s a sign for Ebony, a black labrador assistance dog, to jump up and use “pressure therapy” to calm Ms Howard.
Ebony has turned Ms Howard’s life around after the navy veteran of nearly 20 years was diagnosed with post traumatic stress disorder (PTSD).
Ms Howard, 50, joined the navy at 17 as an apprentice helicopter technician. She doesn’t want to delve into what caused the PTSD.
“When I got out, for a lot of years I was pretty much in complete denial that I had any sort of problems: depression or anxiety or even chronic neck pain and drinking and all the rest of it,” Ms Howard said. “I went through a few really bad years and tried to commit suicide a couple of times and put my family through hell.”
Ms Howard received psychiatric support and started looking into service dogs.
She heard about Integra, which takes failed Guide Dogs to see if they can work as service dogs for veterans and first responders.
Ebony was deemed unsuitable as a guide dog because she was too sociable with other dogs.
Ms Howard said since Ebony came along six months ago, she was taking hardly any medication and getting out as much as possible with Ebony.
“Pills on four legs, they call them,” she said.
Ebony licks Ms Howard’s face to wake her from nightmares – which she does instinctively. She also understands what Ms Howard needs when they leave the house.
“If I’m going up to an ATM, she’ll stand behind me and block me,” Ms Howard said.
“Or, if people are coming and getting into my personal space, she will stand in front of me. If I’m upset, she will come up and give me a cuddle.”
The two have bonded so well they started playing golf together.
Ebony is the first dog allowed onto Kooringal golf course at Altona – she doesn’t chase the golf balls.
“Golf, I found, was the thing that I enjoyed and that would get me out of the house,” Ms Howard said. “The club’s been wonderful. We walk in after golf and they have my drink there and a big schooner of ice with water in it for Ebony.”
Ebony and Ms Howard were each presented with a monthly medal by Kooringal Golf Club, which this week held its inaugural charity day supporting Integra in their honour.
If you or anyone you know needs support, you can contact Lifeline on 13 11 14 or BeyondBlue on 1300 224 636.
