Ptsd speech outline

COM 100 Persuasive Speech Outline Example Title: Pets for Vets

Specific Purpose: To persuade my audience to get involved with and donate to Pets for Vets, as this

organization helps to alleviate the problems of PTDS and animal crowding.

INTRODUCTION:

Attention Grabber: My brother, Scott, is an Army Veteran who served in Iraq on at least 5 different

occasions. When he got back from his last tour, he had an incident involving him having a flashback

while cooking his lunch. His dog, Ozzy, saved his life. While Scott was in his flashback, Ozzy was

weaving in and out of his legs, trying to snap him out of it. Soon after Ozzy was doing the weaving,

Scott came back. Scott’s food was burnt but Ozzy saved him. *Part of an interview conducted with Scott

via text.*

Relevance Statement: Most everyone either has a family member or knows someone who has served in

the military. With the increasing number of soldiers who come back with PTSD, I’m sure everyone

knows someone who suffers from it. Also, many of us have animals, or know someone who has an

animal. Therefore, this speech is relevant to everyone in this classroom.

Credibility Statement: I have my own personal connection to family members who have PTSD, and I

have conducted research. I also own a pet.

Thesis Statement: There are two major problems that need to be addressed: PTSD of veterans returning

home from war; and, animal overcrowding, which is leading to euthanasia. There is one solution that

can help solve this problem – getting involved in Pets for Vets.

Transition: To begin, let’s look at the problems of PTSD and animal overcrowding.

BODY:

A. The problems of PTSD and animal crowding are plenty.

1. Soldiers are coming home with emotional wounds (i.e. – PTSD) (NIMH, 2013).

a. PTSD is post-traumatic stress disorder (NIMH, 2013).

b. PTSD affects every aspect of living. People who have this disorder (like me) are afraid to

leave their home to go and do anything (US Department of Veterans Affairs, 2012).

2. The problem of animal crowding is leading to many dogs being euthanized.

a. The dogs that are on death row at animal shelters, Pets for Vets are also trying to save

them.

b. There are six to eight million dogs and cats in animal shelters right now.

c. There are over 1.4 million dogs euthanized at shelters.

Transition: Now that we understand why PTSD and animal crowding are problems, let’s look at their

causes.

B. We now need to gain an understanding of the causes of PTSD and animal overcrowding.

1. Cause of PTSD is seeing traumatic events in combat related situations.

a. Seeing people get killed, being in an IED explosion or seeing one, and seeing young

kids get thrown into war are some examples of PTSD.

b. Just because you get sent home, your traumatic events won’t leave you. You have to

live with these events day in and day out (NIMH, 2013).

2. The cause of animal crowding is because of the millions of dogs that are abandoned or

surrendered each year, which causes the shelters to be over filled. This is what also leads to

euthanasia.

a. People can’t afford dogs anymore, people don’t have time for the dogs anymore, some

dogs are vicious, and some dogs are strays.

b. Because of so many dogs being surrendered and not enough adoptions, the longer the

dog goes without being adopted, the more likely it will be put to sleep.

c. This is also a major problem right here in the state of Arizona (Arizona Animal

Welfare League, 2013).

Transition: We now understand the problems associated with and the causes of PTSD and animal

overcrowding. Lastly, let’s explore a solution that can help solve both of these problems.

C. Pets for Vets can help solve both of the problems we just discussed.

1. Owning a dog can lift your mood or help you feel less stressed, especially for veterans

suffering from PTSD (“Pets for Vets Help to Heal War Heroes”, 2010).

a. Dogs have always made good companions. They allow the veteran to experience

emotion, help the veteran have fun, and help the veteran to get out of the house.

b. One veteran who suffered from PTSD and TBI was no longer dependent on medication

just one month after receiving a Pets for Vets companion dog.

2. Shelter dogs facing euthanasia are specifically selected for each veteran to match his or her

personality.

a. Professional animal trainers will rehabilitate the shelter dogs using positive

reinforcement and teach the dogs good manners to fit into the veteran’s lifestyle.

b. The dogs are given a second chance with the Veterans and it frees up space in shelters

(Helping Pets, Healing Vets, n.d.).

CONCLUSION:

Transition to Conclusion: In conclusion, because of the dedication by Pets for Vets, dogs and Veterans

who suffered from traumatic events can help each other heal their emotional wounds.

Summarize Thesis and Key Points: It is my hope that people will see how important this organization

is to both our Veterans and our dog population and will donate their time and/or money to helping Pets

for Vets. Many Veterans suffer from PTSD caused by traumatic events experienced in combat related

situations. Many dogs are put on death row each year that deserve a second chance at life. Pets for Vets

pair these dogs with the Veterans who suffer from PTSD in an effort to help both parties overcome their

traumatic events.

Memorable Closing: Bringing together man’s best friend and our returning soldiers; showing them both

that we have not forgotten.

References

(2012, December 31). Dogs and PTSD. United States Department of Veterans Affairs. Retrieved July 25, 2013,

from http://www.ptsd.va.gov/public/pages/dogs_and_ptsd.asp.

(2013). Post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD). National Institute of Mental Health. Retrieved from:

http://www.nimh.nih.gov/health/topics/post-traumatic-stress-disorder-ptsd/index.shtml

Arizona Animal Welfare League. (2013). About AAWL. AAWL. Retrieved from https://aawl.org/about-aawl.

Helping Pets, Healing Vets. (n.d.). Pets for Vets. Retrieved July 25, 2013, from http://www.pets-for-vets.com.

Pets for Vets. (2010, July 29). Pets for Vets Helps to Heal War Heroes. [Video file]. Retrieved July 25, 2013,

from http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=peilQUDtnog.

*1 interview conducted via text.

*1 personal communication via email.