Out of the Dark
A retired RCMP officer overcomes her PTSD with the help of a service dog program in BC.
Pitch video
Synopsis
This is a story about how small acts of service can alter the course of a life. The two central characters of this documentary are Juliet Walden and her dog, Stark. Stark is a PTSD service dog that was trained by PADS in Vancouver and paired with Juliet as their first PTSD client. Juliet is a retired RCMP officer. When Juliet was 24, she was kidnapped and raped for three days in a hotel in Hong Kong. These traumatic experiences are what inspired her to become a police officer - but it is also what led to her PTSD. This documentary tells the story of how Stark came to help Juliet overcome PTSD and how they are now helping others recover. Stark and Juliet are currently working with six new PADS clients who are all retired first responders with PTSD.
Production
Interview Roster
Tara is one of the trainers at PADS who was instrumental in Stark becoming a PTSD service dog. She helps us understand how a dog becomes a service dog and what challenges Stark and Juliet faced when introduced to the program.
Meet Juliet, a 54-year-old retired RCMP officer, friend, mother, runner, lover of animals, toy collector and PADS’ very first recipient of a Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) Service Dog. Juliet radiates a gentle spirit and immense courage, but her eyes tell a story of one who has seen too much. If you spend some time with her, you will discover a playful, witty side that looks for joy in everyday moments.
Stark is a PADS PTSD Service dog. He is a smart, confident, old soul whose training progressed nicely despite several “speed bumps” along the way. One day while playing too hard he was injured and spent months recovering. There was some uncertainty about what direction his future path should take, until the realization that he was, at heart, a PTSD Service Dog…and PADS didn’t yet have applicants. Today, the PADS staff look back with a smile, understanding that Stark was waiting for Juliet. His impact in both the little things and the big things, has been profound.
Catherine was Stark’s puppy raser. She is a psychologist that specializes in PTSD. Stark was raised in her private practice. It was here where he first showed an affinity for providing support to those who were hurting. Catherine helps us learn the psychology of PTSD and how support dogs help heal.
Production Design
