Houston, PTSD, TBI, Texas, Veteran, Wounded Warrior

Joshua and SDiT Olaf

From our wonderful trainer, Kendra, in Houston, who is working with Joshua and his SDIT, Olaf! Joshua suffers with PTSD and TBI. Kendra writes:

“Joshua had two meet and greets with Olaf at Olaf’s rescue and at Joshua’s home to let the their other dog meet Olaf. It went awesome!

Olaf was attached to Joshua immediately; he stayed next to him for most of the sessions! While we were talking, Olaf just sat on Joshua’s feet and stayed there while we spoke. Joshua tried out the commands that Olaf knows, which are “sit” and “down”. It was raining and cold, so Olaf was reluctant to lay down on the cold wet concrete, but he did! And he sits beautifully for Joshua. Olaf takes treats very gently, and was just so focused on Joshua. Olaf kept looking up to check on my him, and and I noticed Olaf nuzzled Joshua’s hand a couple of times while we were all talking to get his attention. They played a little bit, and Joshua took Olaf on a short walk to test his leash skills. The only one habit we will have to break that Olaf is so bonded that he walks leaning into you, and some times it can trip you. So we will train him to walk touching Joshua’s leg, but not pushing into the leg. Olaf also loves to sit in between Joshua’s legs, and Joshua didn’t seem to mind at all. The bond was strong! I just know you will see it in these pictures. These pictures are worth more than anything I could say!”

 

Experience, San Antonio, Texas

Noelle and SDiT Hazel

From our trainer extraordinaire, Brenda, who was meeting with our current client, Rowena. Rowena, also a dear, dear friend, has Multiple Sclerosis that is getting worse, and her current Service Dog that trainer Laurie trained through the PAT, “Blessed”, was just too big for her to be able to handle anymore. She loved Blessed so very much, and Blessed loved her, but Rowena knew that Blessed would be better suited for someone else who had the mobility capacity to use a larger dog.

Brenda was working with a new client, Noelle who, with her parents, fell in love with Blessed’s description on our website. Brenda writes:

“I met up with Noelle, her parents, Rowena, and Anthony (Rowena’s husband and also our client) for a meet and greet with Blessed. Rowena told them all about Blessed’s temperament, personality, and what she could do. Noelle and Blessed hit it off right away – and once Blessed sat down next to Noelle, Blessed never really left her side! It was like Blessed just knew what was going on and was telling us that she was ok with it! I had Noelle give Blessed some commands to see how she would respond to her, and Blessed did all that was asked of her without any hesitation. Blessed’s former trainer, Laurie, had just done a “refresher” course on all the PAT commands with Blessed, and knew she still was perfect. Noelle’s family had brought their little dog Lucy to make sure that the two dogs would get along, and they did, so that just sealed the deal. Rowena didn’t want a long, painful parting, so she passed the leash to Noelle, and with that, Blessed became Noelle’s Hazel.

Since now “Hazel” has already passed the PAT as mentioned above, she just needs to get used to Noelle being her new handler, and Noelle needs to learn how to apply the commands. She had already been working on “sit” with her. Noelle wants to be able to bring Hazel to school ASAP, and Hazel will of course need to mind her manners there – so we were working on “down” and “stay”. Then, we added some distractions in for Hazel to ignore, “leave it”, and getting her attention back on Noelle if she went to investigate the distraction.”

Anxiety, Bipolar, Dallas-Fort Worth, PTSD, Texas

Staley and SDiT Magnus

From our dear trainer, Candace, in Ft. Worth, who is working with Staley, who is a crime victim suffering from PTSD, extreme anxiety, depression, Dissociation Disorder & Bi-Polar Disorder. His SDIT is “Magnus”. Candace writes:

“Staley and Magnus have their work cut out for them! Magnus is a young boy with a lot of energy. I took my Golden Retriever, Kyna, and my Border Collie mix, Lady, to meet Magnus. My two dogs have two different personalities, but both are relatively calm and well-mannered. Magnus was very excited to meet my girls, and immediately thought it was play-time. I explained to Staley what Magnus’ proper response should look (and sound) like. I gave Staley a few ideas on how to curb his energy (such as utilizing Staley’s children to get Magnus to both run around AND listen), and I gave her some homework to come up with two purely fun “tricks” to teach Magnus. I believe that this will help the team to more closely associate training with fun-happy-time, and bring Staley and Magnus closer together. I will meet with them in a couple of weeks, after they have had a chance to go on a few socialization road trips, and see how things are working out!”

Anxiety, Dallas-Fort Worth, Marine, Military, PTSD, Texas, Veteran, Wounded Warrior

Wounded Warrior Derrick and Anni

From our trainer, Candace, in Ft. Worth, who is working with Wounded Warrior, Derrick, and his SDIT, Anni. Derrick suffers from PTSD from his service in the Marine Corps, has difficulty sleeping, nightmares, and anxiety in large crowds. Candace writes:

“Derrick and Anni’s training session was very straight forward and fruitful. We focused a lot of our time on proper heeling for Anni. We also focused on what was acceptable and not acceptable for Derrick’s specific diagnosis and what he felt was comfortable for him. Anni is a bit of a puller, but also a quick learner. We added some directional vocabulary to her list, including “left,” “right,” and “back.” We also talked a lot about Derrick’s anxiety and how Anni has been responding to him. I wanted to get a better idea of how she reacts when his stress level goes up, so I sent Derrick on a mission as homework of increasing his anxiety level in as safe a situation as possible with his family. He was to note Anni’s reaction and what he would like her to do so that we could work on this for next time. We spend the last bit of the session working on Anni staying under picnic tables so Derrick can go out to eat with his family. She did a great job!”

Anxiety, Mobility, Multiple Sclerosis, San Antonio, Texas

CONGRATULATIONS BROOK AND SD TATER

From our wonderful trainer, Pat, who performed the Public Access Test with client Brook and her now SERVICE DOG, TATER!!! CONGRATULATIONS BROOK AND TATER! Pat writes:

“Brook and her SDIT, 7 year-old hound/Boxer, “Tater”, are wonderful students!!! This week, I conducted their Public Access Test and they passed with ease! Brook was recently diagnosed with Multiple Sclerosis after over 2 years of evaluations, tests and frustration with the pain and lack of answers. We both knew that Tater’s age would limit his length of service and ability to be a mobility dog. However, Brook hoped he would offer her some assistance – long enough to buy time to find and train another dog. She has rapidly been losing her balance and dexterity, she gets dizziness and weakness, and often drops things.

Our objectives for Tater were for Brook to be able to grab his handle just for some stability, and to teach him to pick up things that she drops, because bending over to do it herself was a risky endeavor. He had never had any formal obedience training, and also had a lifelong playmate that was recently lost, leaving him with a hole in his soul that resulted in sadness and loss of interest in life. He also had never had any interest in retrieving or playing catch or any such thing, so Brook had serious doubts whether we could teach him to pick up items for her.

Brook’s ability to absorb my coaching, her commitment to and quality of practice, and Tater’s willingness to try/do new things, were delightful and rewarding. His obedience training came along smashingly, quickly progressing to almost perfect control on the leash. However, both of us had reservations with his response to click/reward training for the retrieve. He was so keenly motivated by the treats that nothing else, including a toy, existed during the first two weeks of training.

Then, during the third week, the lightbulb suddenly came on! He started picking up a toy and placing it in Brook’s lap on the floor. Then, this progressed to when Brook was seated on a chair! And then, Tater started transferring the knowledge to other toys. WaaHooo!!! He got it! So on the 4th week of retrieve training, we started back on the floor with her keys. That very evening, he began picking up keys dropped on the floor and placing them in her hand while she was standing!

By then we were ready for the PAT, and in Walmart, while performing his new ‘tricks’ (like picking up keys, and “sit-down-stand” in succession on command), I suggested that another important skill would be for him to pick up the leash should she drop it. She agreed, and promptly dropped his leash and told him to ‘get it’. Not only did he get it, but he picked it up by the handle no less, and placed it in her hand! AMAZING! Then, Brook’s husband tossed his wallet on the floor, and on the third try (the first two of which he picked it up), Tater picked it up and gently gave it to her.

Now Tater is a 7 year old pup! He is excited about life, can’t wait to train and do new things, and once and for all puts to rest the ancient adage that “you can’t teach an old dog new tricks”!!!! Congratulations Brook and Tater! Tater, you have a wonderful career ahead of you!”

 

Central Texas, Military, Mobility, Pain Management, PTSD, Texas, Veteran, Wounded Warrior

Wounded Warrior Duane and SDiT Apache

From our wonderful trainer, Jackie, who is working with Wounded Warrior, Duane. Duane suffers from PTSD, anxiety, and he can’t bend over well do to osteoporosis in his spine and a recent hip replacement. Duane had some initial sessions with one of our trainers, then due to logistical issues, was transferred to Jackie to continue training with Duane’s SDIT, “Apache”! Jackie has had two sessions with Duane so far. She writes:

“Veteran Duane and Apache  met with me as their new trainer today. Apache is training to be Duane’s Mobility and PTSD Service Dog. This was Apache’s first training session out in public. Duane worked with Apache on” heeling” through aisles at Home Depot while handling distractions very well. Apache also learned to “sit-stay” at the end of every aisle on command! Duane and Apache will continue to work on this so that Apache will automatically sit at Duane’s side at every aisle, street corner, and upon stopping. We also took Apache out to the home and garden section, where Apache had to learn to follow Duane’s commands including “leave it” with an environment that is more full of smells and more similar to a natural “freedom environment” (ex: backyard, park).

At our next session, Duane and Apache completed their training session at HEB (the local grocery store). Duane and Apache had to integrate the skills of “heeling” and “sit-stay” at the end of aisles in a new and much busier environment. Duane got to practice navigating Apache through very crowded aisles, keeping Apache focused on Duane despite all of the appetizing smells and curious people! Apache responded very well to Duane’s directions, and completely ignored all the foods (even the fresh meat!). Duane and Apache practiced waiting at the Pharmacy so that Apache could get used to the small space, the busy environment, and just being out and waiting patiently in public. Apache will need to continue to work on this, as he was very curious by all of the people and took a little while to relax and get comfortable. All in all, they are doing wonderfully!

Anxiety, Austin, Depression, Texas

Kindle and SDiT Bella

From our trainer, Jackie, who is working with client Kindle and her Service Dog in Training, Bella.

Kindle and Bella the Lab Mix had their first training session today. Bella is training to be Kindle’s Service Dog for anxiety and depression. Bella is newly adopted and still adjusting to her new home. Kindle and Bella worked on heeling with distractions. Bella performed this task very well. They also worked on “leave it”, where Bella is trained to ignore whatever it is that she is interested in or to stop doing whatever she is doing. Bella is very treat motivated, so it took her a brief bit to get the hang of this; however she is also very smart. Bella and Kindle worked on trying to keep Bella’s sit for a longer period of time. Bella and Shogun the Mastiff Service Dog (see the earlier post from today) live in the same home. Bella had to go out in public and sit for dinner with the distraction of her playmate while both dogs were working. Both Bella and Shogun did great!

Austin, Mobility, Multiple Sclerosis, Parkinson’s Disease, Texas, Veteran, Wounded Warrior

Wounded Warrior Rick and SDiT Shogun

From our trainer, Jackie, who is working with Wounded Warrior, Rick, and his SDIT, “Shogun”.

“Rick and Shogun the Mastiff had their first training session today. Veteran Rick has PTSD, Multiple Sclerosis, and Parkinson’s Disease. He is training Shogun to be his PTSD and Mobility Service Dog. Shogun already has a substantial amount of basic training. Today, Shogun began learning “switch” where when walking, he transfers from one side of Rick to the other side during a heel. Normally. a Service Dog would be heeling on one side, generally the left to allow the right hand free for shaking hands, etc. However, with Rick, he has weakness on both sides and it is uncertain which side will be more prone to giving out on any particular day, so Shogun must know how to heel on both sides of Rick’s body. Shogun also practiced loading and unloading via ramp into the truck. He then participated in his second public outing at Cracker Barrel, where he had to remain in a down position despite being nose-to-nose with my Service Dog, Diesel, and despite the busy Sunday crowd, children approaching, and food. Shogun did very well!

Anxiety, Central Texas, Epilepsy, Texas

Amanda and SDiT Diezel

From trainer, Andrew, who is working with Amanda, who suffers from epilepsy and anxiety, and her SDIT, Diezel.

Andrew writes:

“Amanda, Diezel and I met at Petsmart and worked on the Public Access Test for practice. Diezel had some issues with focusing and remaining seated when strangers are around. Other than that, they are getting very close to passing! Amanda and Diezel are a great team – they really love each other, and Diezel is extremely attentive to Amanda.

We met again at Petsmart for the next session. We worked on obedience conditioning, and ran through the Public Access Test again for practice. We also discussed certain reorientation exercises that will help Diezel to utilize Amanda as good home base and enable him to focus better on his handler is these distraction-rich environments.”

Panic Attack, PTSD

Stefanie and Damsel

From our trainer, Andrew, who met with new client, Stefanie, who suffers from PTSD, night terrors, disassociation and panic attacks, which keep her from interacting with the outside world unless she is absolutely forced. As a result, she experiences depression.

This meet and greet was specifically for Stefanie to meet Ruby, who took to Stefanie and her family right away! They brought their dog, “Run”, with them, and Run and Ruby got along instantly. Ruby is now tucked away safely at her new home and enjoying her new life. Ruby is just about old enough to become serious Service Dog training, so we are going to work with her on her basic obedience and heeling skills slowly until she is old enough to participate focus properly.

Stefanie has renamed Ruby to Damsel.