Episode 472: Josh Aronson & Julie Sayres. PTSD, Veterans and Their Service Dogs

As you might know, much of my inspiration for creating this podcast came from my brother, a former Navy SEAL. I have a special place in my heart--and on this podcast!--for anything that has to do with supporting veterans and treatment for veterans. Today we continue with that support. I am joined by Josh Aronson and Julie Sayres, the filmmakers of the film, To Be Of Service , a documentary film about war veterans who are paired with service dogs to help them regain their lives. "[T]he big picture is clear, and its overriding point well made: These dogs are saving the lives of those who’ve sacrificed so much. Every person profiled here deserves an immense amount of respect. Every animal, too." ​- *Ken Jaworowski, New York Times* Josh Aronson has been producing and directing documentary films since 2000. He was nominated for an Oscar for his film, Sound and Fury and has made award winning films on disability, the search for identity, classical music and history. His latest film is the recently released, "To Be of Service,” about veterans with PTSD and their service dogs. Julie Sayres is an award-winning screenwriter, working in Los Angeles, whose credits include the film *“Reaching for the Moon,”* aka *“Flores Raras,”* for which she won the best adapted screenplay award by the Brazilian Academy of Letters and was also nominated for best adapted screenplay by the Brazilian Academy of Cinema. She worked on the writing staff of the television series *“Midnight Caller,”* and wrote episodes for *“Gabriel’s Fire”* and *“Beggars and Choosers,”* among others. She was also a co-creator and supervising producer of the CBS one-hour drama, *“Four Corners.”* She has also written many movies for television, including *“A Walton Easter,” “Dallas Reunion”* and the mini-series *“Knot’s Landing: Back to the Cul-de-Sac.”* She currently has two feature films in development, one in the U.S. and the other in Brazil. She is the producer of a documentary called “To Be of Service”, which deals with veterans with PTSD and their service dogs. ​ Aside from her work as a screenwriter, she’s also an adjunct professor of screenwriting at USC School of Cinematic Arts and the MFA program at Antioch University, Santa Barbara. She has a B.A. from New York University and an MFA from Goddard College. *In This Episode* * To Be of Service , film site ( https://www.tobeofservicefilm.com/press.html ) * Josh's website ( http://www.aronsonfilms.com/ ) * Julie’s website ( https://www.juliesayres.com/ ) * To Be of Service on Facebook ( https://www.facebook.com/tobeofservicefilm/ ) --- A giant thank-you to my sponsors who help me keep this podcast going: *CPTSD Foundation* CPTSD Foundation provides live, daily, peer-led, interactive group calls, in a safe atmosphere for survivors of complex trauma, equipping them with skills and information they can use every single day in their healing journey. Receive 50% off the first month when you join at: cptsdfoundation.org/traumatherapistpodcast/ ( https://cptsdfoundation.org/traumatherapistpodcast/ ) *Brighter Vision* When you’re in private practice it can be tough just to find the time to review your marketing efforts, let alone make improvements where they’re needed. Whether you are a seasoned clinician who’s current website needs revamped, or a new therapist building a website for the first time, Brighter Vision is here to help. And the best news of all? You can get your first month entirely free just for listening to The Trauma Therapist | Podcast.. To get started, just head on over to brightervision.com/guy ( http://brightervision.com/guy ) --- If you're a new trauma therapist just starting our on your trauma-informed journey, I'd love to invite you to check out my community specifically dedicated to new trauma therapists, Trauma Therapist | 2.0 ( https://the-trauma-therapist-project.teachable.com/p/trauma-therapist-2-0-1 ). You do not have to do this along! Support this podcast at — https://redcircle.com/the-trauma-therapist-podcast-with-guy-macpherson-phd-inspiring-interviews-with-thought-leaders-in-the-field-of-trauma/donations Advertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brands