Meet Wounded Warrior, Jason, who is recovering at Audie Murphy Poly-trauma Care Rehab after a motor vehicle accident. Jason already was on his way to be discharged to PTSD and TBI from several deployments. He just loves Boxers, and Amy, (now renamed “Cadence”), has been adopted by Jason as his Service Dog. Amy has already passed her Public Access Test with a former handler who could no longer keep Cadence, so our trainer Pat truly has to do is ensure that Jason and Cadence bond and that Cadence learns to walk successfully next to Jason’s wheelchair (he will not be in it once his leg heals), and to make sure that Cadence and Jason are able to learn as a team to do the Public Access Test together.
Currently, Jason’s doctor has not given the “OK” for him to have Cadence with him in his room while he heels, but I will speak to the doctor on Monday about this. Four months is a long time, and it would be perfect time for them to bond. It is strange, because this particular new hospital is huge, but there are only eight patients – all of whom are simply recovering and have no open wounds – and all eight patients want Cadence there all the time because she cheers them up! Cadence is allowed in the hospital with Pat, our trainer…so we will see!
In the meantime, Pat has been so kindly fostering and training Cadence herself, taking her to Walmart and all other places, where Cadence is still the same, wonderful Service Dog she was a year ago! Pat evens trains Cadence with a wheelchair, so she can get used to Jason’s.
Jason is absolutely wonderful. He is pursuing his Master’s Degree, and will return home once he is healed in about four months with Cadence by his side. They already love each other!!
“Allie is a super sweet dog who already goes many places with Alex, and has been his “emotional suppor
At our first session, we began our session by wa
We practiced “accept restraint” – a game used to desensitize a dog to various circumstances like a vet visit, or a grooming, or something simple like accepting training equipment. We also practiced what I call “take it”, where the handler tosses a treat for the dog to retrieve and then commands the dog to return. This game can be used to teach the dog to fetch a toy, then eventually personal items.
From 
I am going to miss my dear, dear friend Elizabeth and beautiful, drooling Beatrice when they move!! Elizabeth’s new job will entail her continuing to help our Wounded Warriors – but now that she has Beatrice by her side, I think just seeing that humungous, loveable Service Dog will heal others better than any drug!!
“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.”
Desiree is a brilliant young woman who works with troubled juveniles. She brings Ollie to work where he stays in her office, and Ollie provides such a calming presence for the juveniles she counsels. At the first session, Desiree was completely prepared – had a vest, the right collar and leash, a treat bag, the right treats; she REALLY read the training manual and was ready to go!
At their second session, they went to Petco. Ollie heeled extremely well on the leash. He easily avoided distractions and did wonderful “watch mes” while heeling with Desiree. Laurie did a lot of work with Ollie herself, then had Desiree step in. Ollie did wonderful meet and greets, and was perfect when meeting people and other dogs.