A child-friendly story created to help police families begin difficult conversations about PTSD and the changes children may notice in a parent they love.

Why We Selected It

Children often recognize that something has changed at home without understanding why. Told from the perspective of a young pup whose dad is a police dog, this story uses age-appropriate imagery to help children make sense of PTSD symptoms they may see in a police-officer father.

The author, Carrie Antoine, is a police wife and mother who wrote the book with police families in mind.

Best For

• Children with a father in law enforcement
• Police families navigating PTSD-related changes
• Parents looking for an age-appropriate conversation starter
• Family read-aloud time
• Counselors, chaplains, and support professionals working with police families

Key Details

• Written by Carrie Antoine
• Daddy Edition
• Paperback
• 25 pages
• English-language edition
• Told from a child’s perspective using a police-dog family
• Designed to help explain a difficult subject in approachable language

Things to Know

This book addresses PTSD and changes in a parent’s behavior, so younger children may benefit from reading it with a trusted adult who can answer questions and provide reassurance.

It is a conversation tool, not a substitute for professional mental-health care. Families should choose explanations appropriate for the child’s age and individual circumstances.

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