Courage from the Cupboard

This week, we welcomed a new puppy into our home. His name is Finn, a small, bright-eyed American Eskie with a personality that, at least in flashes, shines as brightly as his coat. Thankfully, he is adorable, because the transition has not been as smooth as I had imagined. 

Finn loves Joe. He greets him at the door with enthusiasm: licks, a wagging tail, unfiltered joy. When I arrive home, however, I’m met with something entirely different: a small body tucked into the cupboard, a low growl, uncertainty wrapped in fear. It’s not just me. He seems wary of everyone but Joe. 

Change is hard, especially when you are only 17 weeks old. 

But perhaps Finn is not alone in this struggle. PTSD, after all, is an injury of attachment. It disrupts our sense of trust, safety, power, and control. The instinct, so often, is to retreat; to find a cupboard of our own and stay there. Hidden. Guarded. Protected. 

And yet, healing asks something different of us.It asks us to step forward, even when it feels impossible. 

At Landing Strong, I have the privilege of witnessing this courage every day. Men and women showing up, leaning into connection, finding moments of laughter and meaning again. This is the work: messy, brave, and deeply human. 

I find myself hoping that little Finn, in his own time, might discover what I see so often in others: that safety can be rebuilt, that trust can grow, and that stepping out of the cupboard is where healing begins

Warmly,

Belinda Seagram, Ph.D., R. Psych.
Executive Director, Landing Strong