Category Archives: PTSD

Military, PTSD, San Antonio, Texas, Veteran, Wounded Warrior

Wounded Warrior Jesse and SDIT Rocco

From our trainer Andrew, who is working with Wounded Warrior Jesse, and his SDIT, “Rocco”.

“During this session, we worked mainly on teaching Rocco to back up, and to perform a moving wait (handler keeps moving, dog waits). These are fairly simple to implement into our training, but require diligence nonetheless. We filled some of our time with laughter and allowing our dogs to show off funny behavior to relax everyone. We worked on more complex behaviors like various ways of bringing the dog into the “helping” position to get ready for light bracing, etc. Then we worked on distractions, like putting Rocco in a sit/stay and then running by whole making loud noises while having Rocco not move. Then after a few more blooper laughs it was all over.”

Army, Military, PTSD, San Antonio, Texas, Veteran, Wounded Warrior

Wounded Warrior Bud and Action Jackson

From our trainer, Cherry, who is working with Wounded Warrior Bud, who suffers from PTSD, and his SDIT, Jackson!

“Today was our first training session. Bud suffers from PTSD and his little battle buddy is Jackson.

Bud did not have good experiences with other training agencies in the past. After an hour with me, he felt relaxed and confident about where his training was going with him and Jackson. “I’ve learned a lot today” he told me.

Bud was a bit apprehensive at first but I soon had him laughing and relaxed and taught him ways to use Jackson to ease his anxiety which he really appreciated.

I showed him a few techniques to use when people approach and wanting to pet his beautiful dog, Jackson. “That makes me feel so much better!” he said, knowing that he could use his battle buddy to calm him down in times of stress.

Today we concentrated on “stay” and “cover”. I have given them homework and Bud is excited to show me what they can do the next time we meet.

This is an awesome team. Jackson adores his Daddy, and Bud just loves his little buddy Jackson. These two are set for great things to come!”

New Mexico, PTSD

Suzy and SDiT Jake

A great update from our client, Suzy, in Alamogordo, NM, who is training with Michelle and SDIT, Jake!

“Well, as you know from pictures last night, we finally got Jake’s vest! Today we went to Walmart and he did great. Between him just stepping up and getting his vest on, and heeling beside the cart, we didn’t have a single problem. I did have to remind Jake to keep his focus every now and then when people walked too close, and he saw another SD in the store. He even did a cover without me asking! The only problem was loading up into the truck after we were done. I’m going to start working on that more. Now unloading – he’s a little exuberant about. So I will also work on making sure he waits and is full control before he unloads – always with my hand on his leash. He is going to be a great asset to me when he’s fully trained. After my husband gets back and I’ll have a second person to assist me for safety reasons, I’ll be able to do some stay training in public.”

Equipment, Experience, PTSD, Virginia

Baron’s First Flight

From our trainer, Catherine, in Virginia, about her own Service Dog, Baron!

“I don’t know why I’m always so shocked by how amazing Baron is, but he never ceases to amaze me. His first flight ever he went through security perfectly and handled the crowds like a total pro. Our first plane was tiny and awful!

We sat in the back (there were a lot of disabled people who needed bulkhead seating) and he squeezed himself under one tiny seat where you would normally put your bag. The flight was so turbulent even I was feeling sick, but Baron just stayed calm and rested through the whole thing!!! Our next plane was WAY better, we got bulkhead seating and all the flight attendants asked to pet him and he got majorly loved on LOL. All in all he handled it like a seasoned SD and even did an alert during our second flight. I always forget he’s only 8 months old!! He acts like such an adult the majority of the time!

Happy Thanksgiving!
Catt & Baron”

Anxiety, Military, PTSD, San Antonio, Texas, Veteran

Everyone Needs To Recharge Once In Awhile

From our trainer Andrew, who is working with a wonderful client who is actually a VA psychiatrist who works with veterans who have PTSD. Unfortunately, she herself, developed PTSD and anxiety as a result of this intense work, so she is taking a hiatus to get better – and using a Service Dog is one of her top priorities!!

“We had a two hour session this time. We covered everything from loose leash walking, all basic obedience commands, to proper body language and command gestures. We covered how to teach a strong-willed dog like Olla to “down”, using a slippery surface like a linoleum floor to eventually cause her to submit and reward for each down. We talked about the importance of a structured regiment. I went over 10 basic behaviors, and 4 fun games to play, making the process fun and teaching Olla to work with higher drive and engagement.”

Anxiety, Austin, Experience, Panic Attack, PTSD, Texas

Presentation by Lucia and Lily

What a joyful day in Service Dog world! Dear Lucia, in Austin, with her SD Lily, was asked to teach a class on Service Dogs at the local college! This is what she wrote! Can you imagine – someone who was paralyzed by PTSD and anxiety going up in front of a classroom full of people to educate them about Service Dogs! SO PROUD OF YOU LUCIA AND LILY!

” Hi Laurie! The class went very well! You should have seen the critical thinkers in the class that were so interested in Service Dog issues. Since they are all future educators, we even got into how to address Service Dog concerns in the classroom after the basics were covered (kids/students that are afraid or don’t understand why they can’t pet, how to address parents and classmates without compromising privacy, even issues regarding conflicting interpretations of Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act and the ADA Titles II and III regarding Service Dogs). I think they got a pretty good introduction to what it’s like to have a Service Dog on a daily basis, too–including the harassment, questions, weird comments, weird and inappropriate behaviors, etc. (and of course good things, too). We talked about invisible disabilities, too. Lots of things!”

I AM SO PROUD OF YOU. INFORMING OTHERS ABOUT SOMETHING YOU EXPERIENCE YOURSELF IS SO POWERFUL!

Mobility, PTSD, San Antonio, Texas

Brenda and Bailey

From our very busy trainer, Andrew, who is working Brenda who suffers from PTSD and some mobility issues. She has a dog that she wishes to train named Bailey. Andrew writes:

“This session was our initial session, and it occurred at Brenda’s house. It was also an assessment of her dog, Bailey. Bailey has some fear issues due to some shock collar training she received at another training organization.

Immediately upon my entry into the house, Bailey got up and ran away. She did not want to be anywhere near me. It took me an entire hour of laying down on my belly and using calm, slow movements and words to get her to a place where she was comfortable with me in the room. Brenda says Bailey is not like this with everyone, but I believe bringing the presence of a dog trainer into a room set her off, as she had a traumatic experience with her former trainer.

Both myself and Brenda feel that Bailey can be rehabilitated, so we have decided to go ahead with her training. Under no circumstances though is Brenda disillusioned by the possibility that Bailey will not succeed, so we are going to give it a month and see how far she can come. If she succeeds, we will continue. If not, then we will find Brenda a new dog to train as a Service Dog for her.”

Dallas-Fort Worth, Military, Psychiatric, PTSD, Texas, Veteran, Wounded Warrior

Wounded Warrior Kathryn and her SDIT Abigail

From our trainer Candace, who is working with Wounded Warrior Kathryn, who suffers from PTSD and Adjustment Disorder, and her SDIT, Abigail.

“This session was an assessment/training to see if Australian Shepherd Abigail has what it takes to be a Service Dog. So far, so good! Abigail is slightly skittish when it comes to loud, unexpected noises, but has quick recovery. She needs some basics and advanced work, but it was clear from the beginning the bond between her and her owner, Kathryn, is very strong. I think, with intense training, Kathryn and her SDiT will be an unstoppable team!

Abigail also gets vocal around other dogs. Once we practiced redirection, Kathryn was able to get Abigail under control in under 2 seconds and was able to avoid vocalizations. This points to the need for more socialization for the two. With Kathryn’s anxiety, this will be a great test and trial for the team. I set them up with a basic training regimen, and Kathryn already has a wonderful plan set up for Abigail’s progression into Service work. I look forward to working with them both. They have great potential!”

Experience, PTSD, San Antonio, TBI, Texas

Carol and Kensi

From our trainer, Andrew, who is working with Carol, who suffers from PTSD, and her SDIT, Kensi:

“This session occurred at the Forum in Universal City/ Selma. We walked around Petsmart for a while practicing our heeling maneuvers. We worked on our “sits” and “downs” in a public, busy setting, and then we grabbed some coffee at Red Robin, and Kensi did wonderfully! She wasn’t even noticeable under the table at Red Robin, and she rarely pulls on the leash when she sees distractions while we are out and about. We will do some fine tuning and adjustments with heeling around distractions. In addition, we have recently began to work with Kensi off leash!”

Pain Management, PTSD, San Antonio, TBI, Texas, Veteran, Wounded Warrior

Wounded Warrior Jose and Dixie

An update from our trainer, Andrew, who is working with Wounded Warrior Jose, who suffers from from a TBI, pain, and PTSD, and his SDIT, Dixie.

“We worked on the basics this session. Dixie is a very food driven dog, and learns very quickly. We worked with sits, downs, and some puppy pushups. After we were warmed up, we went into stays and waits. We reinforced which foot to lead with and the correct hand signals to use when commanding the dog to stay and wait. Dixie learned the beginning of ” heel” and began to differentiate it with “come”. The end result was Dixie sitting directly in front of the handler and looking at them in anticipation of the next command. Jose and Dixie learned a simple correction using eye contact and a “not so friendly” face will work to make Dixie submit to the commands when she decides not to listen for a spell ( see pic below). Dixie is also overweight, so I taught Jose a game called “sit pretty” that will help Dixie to tone the muscles in her hips and shed some of that weight in the process,( see pic below) and will also help prevent hip dysplasia when she gets older. Both Dixie and Jose are learning the value of playing games and having fun in their sessions. They both learn extremely well and anticipate each session with vigor and excitement!”