Shownotes Transcript
In this episode Vietnam veteran Bob Richards joins us to share his story and lived experience facing his demons. He explains how his work with military service dogs led him to create "Paws for Hope and Understanding" with daughter Hannah and why "mans best friend" is so successful in aiding him and many others manage their Post Traumatic Stress.Originally from South Australia, Bob is the 3rd generation to carry on his family's military heritage. When he realised an apprenticeship wasn't going to work out Bob asked his dad for permission to join the army who gladly agreed, escorting him to the recruit office the following week.Enlisting in 64-65 era, 1RAR had only just deployed for Vietnam. Completing his recruit training Bob put down his preference for the Engineers, Artillery and Infantry.....he was voluntold that Infantry was his calling being posted to 7RAR D Company shortly after. During this time the "Tracker dog" program was in its infancy with the idea that the young soldier would be paired with a service dog (Tiber), training together and ready to deploy when he turned 19.Landing in theater, Bob describes he and the rest of 7RAR D Coy as having an "interesting orientation" translating to "Patrolling more than anyone else" and in all the commotion he and Tiber were separated. Having a Commanding Officer (CO) with WWII experience, emphasis was placed in "Multitasking". Each soldier needed to know the role above him as well as cross-trained with a specialty skill, and just like that Bob became the platoon medic.Bob describes his tour as 24hr ops at high tension. Patrolling for weeks on end, D Coy spent more time "Outside the wire" during the TET offensive. Being asked by Andy to paint a picture of a traumatic event/s that trigger his PTSD, Bob describes "With intel provided by an SAS patrol, the company was tasked to "Directly attack" an enemy position with a covert insertion in heavy monsoon rain."H-hour, 5pm, the company advanced to attack the enemy position, unknowingly, on a well prepared bunker system and were ambushed receiving mass casualties. Having sustained shrapnel wounds from the initial push Bob continued to provide much needed first-aid to the wounded soldiers with a soldier dying in his arms under fire...the battle lasted for several hours before the enemy broke contact and the company was able to casevac their dead and wounded.Bob recalls "when returning home, no-one talked about what they'd been through" and the increasing public protests only making things worse for the returned servicemen. The negative sentiment getting so bad, the soldiers were ordered "dont go out in public in uniform" Bob didn't think much of it until years later a friend questioned him "RUOK mate" he asked why? and his mate responded you jump and flinch at loud noises.....this sparked many thoughts weighing down on him, shortly after, Bob broke down and started having flashbacks.Rounding off part one, Bob describes his multiple stints and experiences at Greenslopes Private Hospital, being pumped so full of drugs he was effectively a zombie. Finding a meaningful connection with the right GP with military experience was the spark that guided him onto a solution focused path.In part two we conclude Bobs story with Paws for Hope and understanding, their programs and his thoughts on "The veteran community hub" network of independent ex-services organisations.Contact - Bob Richards | 0412 747 526 | Hannah Richards | 0404 643 330Website: Paws for Hope and Understanding)Email: [email protected] - | Service Dog training & selection | Resolute Recovery | AdvocacyWho is it for? Veterans & First RespondersHelp Lines Open)
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