LOS ANGELES -- When former Marine Joe Bonfiglio starts thrashing in his sleep, his pit bull service dog jumps on the bed, climbs on top of him and wakes him up to end the flashback.

The dog named Zen has allowed Bonfiglio, 24, who was diagnosed with post-traumatic stress disorder after returning from a five-month tour in Afghanistan, to get back to everyday activities. He can now do things such as shop at malls in Poughkeepsie, New York, because Zen helps calm Bonfiglio when crowds trigger a panic attack.

"I used to go to bars with my friends. And war movies. I am not going to see 'American Sniper,' " he said. "It would bring me back to a place I don't want to be."

Pit bulls aren't the typical choice for a service dog. They are feared, banned in hundreds of cities and blamed for sometimes deadly attacks. The Animal Farm Foundation in Dutchess County, N.Y., wants to change that stigma through a program that trains and donates rescued pit bulls to push wheelchairs or help people regain their mobility and avoid falls.

The effort faces opposition from those who believe the breed is dangerous.

The Assistance Dog Training Program is believed to be the only U.S. training school exclusively for service dogs that uses pit bulls from shelters, said Apryl Lea, the foundation's certified trainer. It's placed five dogs that require two years to socialize, train and acquaint with handlers.

A smaller group, Pits for Patriots, trains rescued pit bulls as comfort, therapy and support dogs for veterans, police officers and firefighters but has yet to place any service dogs. Comfort dogs are pets that get a few weeks of training, while therapy animals receive at least six months of training to help calm people who haven't received a diagnosis as severe as PTSD.

"Veterans and first responders can identify with pit bulls because they either have seen a lot of trauma or been through a lot of trauma," said Kelly Yearwood, co-founder Pits for Patriots in Chicago, whose group started the same year as the Animal Farm Foundation's program, in 2011.

The handful of major training schools and a few smaller ones all typically breed German shepherds, Labradors and golden retrievers for the lengthy, costly process to become a service dog.

Shelters nationwide watch for canine candidates for the foundation's program, which trains dogs based on Americans with Disabilities Act guidelines, Lea said. With pit bull breeds making up a huge percentage of dogs in shelters, she has to carefully decide which dogs are accepted. They must have the right build, aptitude and focus to help a person get through life with disabilities or injuries.

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Rescued pit bulls fight stigma as guide dogs

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Zen body - Jenn and Pete Needham 14 day update
So here is my update video 14 days into my Zen Bodi Slimming weight loss journey. So far I #39;ve lost 5.5 inches and 3.8 lbs using the Zen Bodi Slimming system. I am very happy with the results...

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Zen body - Jenn and Pete Needham 14 day update - Video

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Dead Trigger 2 Zen Arena Tournament Gameplay TDU 60 Dr Android Coach Shotgun Nvidia Shield Tablet

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Dead Trigger 2 Zen Arena Tournament Gameplay TDU 60 Dr Android Coach Shotgun Nvidia Shield Tablet - Video

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ZOTE , DESDE ZEN. NMQD
Twitter: @feernando_Z Face: Fernando Hinojosa sanchez insta: fernando.hinojosasanchez.7 https://www.facebook.com/pages/Zen/413188978791442.

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MEDITATION Znitude Sance guide Anti-Stress Relaxation ZEN Yoga Sophrologie Jean Luc LACHENAUD
" MEDITATION ZEN GUIDEE " Un peu de calme dans ce monde agit. Installez-vous confortablement et laissez-vous guider par cette vido. Un pur moment de bien-tre et une invitation au calme,...

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MEDITATION Znitude Sance guide Anti-Stress Relaxation ZEN Yoga Sophrologie Jean Luc LACHENAUD - Video

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Celtic minor Zen Handpan
Kevin (my son) playing our Celtic minor Zen Handpan. He recently reunited with this magical instrument after coming home. To Manny - the Zen Handpan craftsman - THANK YOU SOOOO MUCH for...

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Ogawa Ryu - Sumi-e Deepening in Old Masters Style - Zen V - 2015
Ancient Techniques Valencia - Spain.

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CREATE A HAVEN: Plump for lots of wood and moveable furniture.

Incorporate Zen design "Modern homes are generally far too masculine and have a lot of fire/yang energy that creates stress and anxiety," says Anthony Ashworth, a consultant in Zen-inspired interior design and feng shui. "Think of your home as more like a bowl than a box; as a place of ease and rest, and being, not doing."

Minimise sharp edges, hard finishes and angular furniture, including glass tables and granite surfaces, which amplify stress, he says. Soften windows with curtains and choose furniture with rounded edges and softer materials.

Calm the senses Bring the aromas of the forest indoors with a potpourri of bark and leaves, or essential oils. "Promote a deep, restful mood with frankincense," suggests aromatherapist Catherine Cervasio, who recommends rosemary for clarity and lemon to pep up energy.

Avoid artificial lighting that's too harsh, bright or dark, and maximise natural light in your main living space. Ashworth recommends earthy colours for calm: soft whites, natural browns and greens. Urban noise, the television and the hum of fluorescent lighting and appliances can be stress-inducing. "Ensure all appliances are as quiet as you can afford," Ashworth advises. Mask unpleasant sounds with an indoor fountain or music that mimics nature.

Nurture connection Studies show that hard furniture, or heavy furniture that doesn't move or is lined side by side against walls, can hinder social interaction. Encourage companionship with comfy, movable furniture configured in circles or semi-circles. Open-plan kitchens enable communication while cooking, the modern version of gathering at the hearth. Warm indoor temperatures foster social interaction, according to research published in Psychological Science.

Declutter Clutter saps our mental resources, leading to potential for greater stress. Peter Walsh, author of Does This Clutter Make My Butt Look Fat?, also believes it can make us overweight. He blames clutter and obesity on loss of personal control and a culture that encourages instant gratification and the consumption of more than we need. Walsh has a simple decluttering recipe: go through every room methodically, and ditch anything you haven't used in the past year or don't love with a passion. List everything you need for the house and don't buy anything else. Don't let stuff rule you: do you really want piles of old newspapers on the kitchen table?

Think natural In alpine areas, beds made of stone pine are said to improve sleep quality. A study by Austria's Human Research Institute reported that sleeping in a stone pine bed could reduce heart rate and induce a more restful sleep, greater sense of wellbeing and higher extroversion. Flavonoids in the pine's essential oils are thought to be responsible.

Natural materials link us to nature, says Ashworth. Choose wood, stone, bamboo and paper rather than plastic, and pieces that age gracefully. "It's all about how your home feels rather than how it looks," he says.

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How your home can help you recover from work stress

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Taken from Abstrakt Sonance debut release on Bassclash Records. The "Devils Dance EP" will see a release on the 9th of February. With 5 outstanding tracks, Bassclash will show how it #39;s done!...

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Buddha Buda Shaolin Music 2015 Hip Hop Musica Zen
Budha,s Hip Hop Music Fusion Meditation Hip Hop by Dani Ponzi y G. Muoz Buddhism rap shaolin music 2015 budha music SUSCRIBETE AL CANAL, MAS TRABAJOS EN BREVE X LA ...

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