Description
This project focuses on improving the well being and independence of veterans struggling with Post Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD). Service dogs are vital for a veteran in daily routines and for emotional support. They are trained to prevent their veteran from experiencing a PTSD episode, but the service dog could be preoccupied with another task or in an environment that makes it difficult for them to read their veteran. To fix this issue, we have developed a device for the veteran and a device for the service dog. The veteran's device is wearable and will be able to track important biometric information to detect if a PTSD episode will occur. The device will factor things like a sudden increase in heart rate and if certain markers are met that hints towards a PTSD episode, the device will then send a signal to the device on the service dog. The device on the dog will read that signal and start vibration motors in the dog's vest to alert it. It is essential that nobody in the surrounding area knows that the device is functioning to respect the veteran's privacy and self confidence. It is also very important to enable a bluetooth connection between the two devices to prevent any accessibility issues. The main goal for this project is to develop a working prototype that does not restrict the veteran or service dog in any way.
PTSD Detection Device
This project focuses on improving the well being and independence of veterans struggling with Post Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD). Service dogs are vital for a veteran in daily routines and for emotional support. They are trained to prevent their veteran from experiencing a PTSD episode, but the service dog could be preoccupied with another task or in an environment that makes it difficult for them to read their veteran. To fix this issue, we have developed a device for the veteran and a device for the service dog. The veteran's device is wearable and will be able to track important biometric information to detect if a PTSD episode will occur. The device will factor things like a sudden increase in heart rate and if certain markers are met that hints towards a PTSD episode, the device will then send a signal to the device on the service dog. The device on the dog will read that signal and start vibration motors in the dog's vest to alert it. It is essential that nobody in the surrounding area knows that the device is functioning to respect the veteran's privacy and self confidence. It is also very important to enable a bluetooth connection between the two devices to prevent any accessibility issues. The main goal for this project is to develop a working prototype that does not restrict the veteran or service dog in any way.