©2024 Dogged Productions LLC. All Rights Reserved
U.S. Marine Corps, Purple Heart Recipient Emilio with his PTSD service dog Samson.
Premieres Monday, Nov. 11, 2024 at 11:30 a.m. on KPBS TV / The film is available for purchase
"By My Side" is an intimate portrait of three veterans suffering with the invisible wound PTSD. It is the most prevalent and unhealed wound experienced by veterans. Approximately 20% 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 they are now the enemy. 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. Set in northern California, three veterans opened their homes and hearts to filmmakers Vicki Topaz and Wynn Padula, with their continued spirit of service.
©2024 Dogged Productions LLC. All Rights Reserved.
U.S. Army Veteran Chris and his PTSD service dog Zane.
These families bravely share their pain, fear, and the difficult realization 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.
2024 Dogged Productions LLC. All Rights Reserved.
PTSD service dog Artemis at the Farmer's Market with US Army Veteran Kim.
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 demons they couldn't see or love away. They were being sucked into the deadly undertow of secondary PTSD.
©2024 Dogged Productions LLC. All Rights Reserved.
IzaBella with her PTSD service dog Luna at Great America.
And then came the service dogs. Once the veterans were partnered with service dogs, their smiles returned. Their fear subsided. They could navigate the world again because of 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.
"By My Side" is on Facebook / Instagram / X
©2024 Dogged Productions LLC. All Rights Reserved.
By My Side"
PTSD service dog Huey riding in the car with his family.
Starting on November 10, KPBS will present "Military Stories Week." An extension of the annual GI Film Festival San Diego (GIFFSD), Military Stories Week will include a concert special plus local stories and documentaries that were featured over the years at GIFFSD. With nine different titles, there's plenty of ways to honor our nation's veterans through film.
