When former Marine Joe Bonfiglio starts thrashing in his sleep, his pit bull service dog jumps on the bed, climbs on top of him and wakes him up to end the flashback.
The dog named Zen has allowed Bonfiglio, 24, who was diagnosed with post-traumatic stress disorder after returning from a five-month tour in Afghanistan, to get back to everyday activities. He can now do things such as shop at malls in Poughkeepsie, New York, because Zen helps calm Bonfiglio when crowds trigger a panic attack.
“I used to go to bars with my friends. And war movies. I am not going to see ‘American Sniper,'” he said. “It would bring me back to a place I don’t want to be.”
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Pit bulls have helped people like Bonfiglio get back to their normal lives. The former Marine has made such progress with Zen that he’s now taking cybersecurity classes at Mercy College in New York.
“Zen is a fantastic dog; the best thing that’s happened to me since I’ve been home,” said Bonfiglio, whose other family dogs also provide comfort. “They are all great supporters. They don’t talk back, just put a smile on your face.”
