BY MY SIDE

BY MY SIDE is an intimate portrait of three veterans suffering from the “invisible wound,” called post-traumatic stress. PTS is the most prevalent and unhealed wound suffered by veterans. Approximately twenty percent of those who served in the Afghanistan and Iraq wars are still haunted by visions, chased by enemies they can never outrun, and tortured by the fear that the enemy is them. These debilitating psychic scars have proven very difficult to heal. Twenty veterans commit suicide every day. It is very rare for veterans to admit they feel pain or need help. Even worse is accepting the pain they’ve brought back into their families. The three veterans who opened their homes and hearts to filmmakers Vicki Topaz and Wynn Padula, did so in the spirit of service. They and their families bravely share their pain, fear, and the difficult realization that they’ve lost time and love that they may never get back again. Their lack of faith in themselves and others, left these veterans isolated. Standard treatments failed, filling them with despair. All three, found hope where no one had looked—in the heart of a faithful service dog. The families of these veterans, eloquently and poignantly share how frightened and confused they were by loved ones that looked the same, but were unrecognizable. They were battling daemons they couldn’t see or love away. They were being sucked into the deadly undertow of secondary PTS. And then came the dogs. Once the veterans were partnered with service dogs, their smiles returned. Their fear subsided. The outside world became navigable with their service dogs at their side. The dogs, effortlessly, became a joyful bridge to their children and their spouses. The dogs were the key to everyone’s heart. The healing could begin. The stories of these Veterans and their families, unveils another invisible truth—military veterans account for less than 1% of the American population. BY MY SIDE throws a spotlight on the valor and sacrifice that so few have made for so many. BY MY SIDE celebrates our veterans’ and their love of country and family. And shows how and why service dogs--who match their loyalty and commitment—can heal broken hearts and quiet the wars within. That is the message our veterans and their families want others to know. There is hope and it can be found on the end of a leash.