Wounded Warrior, Andrew, who is working like a DOG with his Service Dog, Mozzie, was having trouble with the “Come” command. So I suggested a whistle. Here’s the results so far!!
Elizabeth and Zoe
I am SO happy to report that our dear, beautiful Zoe, who was found on the streets and saved by two wonderful women in the neighborhood, has found her perfect forever home with client Elizabeth. Elizabeth was diagnosed with PTSD and anxiety since the age of 14. She also suffers from sleep disturbances and sleep walking at times when she is alone and disturbed before sleeping. Despite this, she has managed to work and go back to school now in the last year. She does not get to go out much due to general anxiety and fear.
Well, when Elizabeth met Zoe, the bond was instant!! Elizabeth came prepared for the first meet and greet with all the supplies needed as mentioned in the training manual. Kelly and Lana, the two women who saved Zoe, visited Elizabeth for the first four days with Zoe for hours at a time to make the transition to a new home easier on Zoe. Zoe just loves Elizabeth!!
Zoe already alerts to Elizabeth when she starts sleepwalking by nipping at her heels to wake her up. I went to Elizabeth’s workplace, where she is a supervisor in a company that has large cubicles. Elizabeth brought a blanket for Zoe, chew toys to keep her occupied, and made sure to take Zoe out for potty breaks as often as possible. Elizabeth’s boss and all the employees completely welcomed Zoe, and Zoe’s “performance” at the workplace is stellar. Elizabeth’s anxiety has already decreased tremendously with Zoe in her life. Elizabeth’s boyfriend, who lives in Laredo but comes up as often as possible, and her entire family have been completely supportive of Elizabeth’s decision to have a Service Dog.
We will begin training in other public places next week.
Lindsey has started
From our trainer Jackie, who currently lives in the Rio Grande Valley. She is starting to work with Lindsey, who is a 30 year-old young woman who was diagnosed with Cerebral Palsy and depression. Lindsey does own her own dog, but knows he is not qualified to be a Service Dog. Lindsey has a difficult time getting up off of the couch and getting up off of the floor, if she has fallen. She usually has to get help from her boyfriend or a co- worker if she is at work. She is also very sensitive and uncomfortable having someone behind her or off to her left side. She is looking for a good mobility Service Dog, and one that can help do “covers” from behind and on her left side. Jackie writes:
“Lindsey and I started out with several phone conversations about her particular needs. Lindsey requested a meeting/consultation. We looked at the Available Assessed Dogs, and were considering Tango, but Tango’s foster did not think he would be a good mobility dog. Lindsey needs a tall, sturdy dog for mobility and for her anxiety. I met her other dog, and assessed his interactions with myself and my own SD, Diesel, to determine how he would respond to larger dogs. The response was positive, so I put the word out down here what I was looking for yesterday for her in a Service Dog, and currently have 2 potential dogs that I will follow up with for Lindsey.”
Yvette busts with pride
From our trainer, Cherry Jenkins, who is working with Yvette and her SDIT, Shadow. Yvette suffers from severe anxiety and depression. This was their second session.
“Had a great session with Yvette and her Service Dog in Training Shadow. When we met the first time, Shadow was completely raw. Yvette rescued him from the shelter in San Antonio. The first time we met, I showed her how to get Shadow to sit, stay, and wait. I gave her that as homework, and told her the next time we meet I’d like to see some progress. The holidays came and we took a break, so when I saw Yvette and Shadow again today I was unsure what to expect; I was beyond impressed!!
Yvette had worked harder than I could have imagined, and Shadow performed all his sits and stays in Home Depot like a professional team!!! Even with passers by and buzzing fork lifts he stayed focused on Yvette!
Yvette busted with pride when I told her how well she had done and that she should be totally proud of herself! She gave me a huge smile and said I had made her feel great!.. I told her it wasn’t me that did the training, it was HER and she did it all! She smiled even wider!
Shadow makes her feel comforted and secure in public and one of the three tasks is to “watch her” carefully, focusing on her so that she knows he’s right by her side – which he does perfectly. I see a great future for Yvette and Shadow!
CONGRATULATIONS TO NANCY AND STELLA
CONGRATULATIONS TO NANCY AND STELLA FOR PASSING THEIR PUBLIC ACCESS TEST!!!
From our beloved trainer, Cherry Jenkins:
“What a great day today for Nancy and Stunning Stella – they passed their Public Access Test!
Nancy, who suffers with mobility issues, vertigo, and the resulting anxiety. Nancy has been dedicated to training Stella consistently, and has kept up with her homework between sessions, which really shone through during the test!
Stella is not only stunning, but very well-behaved and well-trained. She did a perfect “down” and “stay” even when a cart with a lady and children came up unexpectedly behind her. Her drop-leash heel was beautiful as seen here in the picture, and she walked perfectly next to Nancy. Stella also kept her position under the restaurant table and was neatly out of the way, where she stayed quietly the whole time.
Stella’s three tasks are an intense “watch me”, which keeps Stella focused on Nancy and her need for complete focus to avoid any mobility mishaps, especially when people want to pet her, “cover”, which gives Nancy a sense of security and balance, and “snuggle” . Nancy is calmed by Stella and feels so much better when she can wrap her arms around her and relax.
Stella and Nancy and trained and worked so very hard, and the results speak for themselves. Nancy was thrilled that they passed and they are now planning a vacation; Nancy, her husband and her now Service Dog Stella! They deserve every bit of it! And oh how much more Nancy will be able to focus on relaxing!!
Vietnam Era Veteran Denise and Sandy
From our trainer, Brenda, who is working with Wounded Warrior, Denise. Denise is a Vietnam Era Veteran with PTSD due to Military Sexual Trauma (MST) while on active duty. Her PTSD was so strong that she has been a Mental Health patient for almost 25 years. This is devastating, as we all knew that those who fought in Vietnam rarely received the treatment they so desperately needed. Denise also got hurt in basic training, which progressed over the years and led to her being in a wheelchair. She can walk and stand for short periods, but not much more. Her SDIT, Sandy, is already very well-trained in obedience – a remarkable and admirable feat for someone who has been through all that Denise has had to endure.
Brenda, also in a wheelchair, had two sessions with Denise and Sandy. She writes:
“At our first session, I went through the initial assessment of Denise’s needs and Sandy’s behavior. We went over all indoor Public Access Test, such as “sit”, “stay”, “down”, “watch me”, etc. I also had Denise show me what she had worked on with Sandy most recently. She “comes” and “sit/stays” extremely well. Sandy is very motivated by treats as well as praise, and caught on quickly to “down.” She will be easy to work with!
At our second session, we went outside to finish going through the outdoor Public Access Commands. Sandy heels well next to the wheelchair, but just needs a bit of refinement. Sandy has a perfectly controlled “load” and “unload” into a vehicle, and maintains very good focus on Denise, ignoring most distractions. However, Denise said that Sandy is very protective of her when other dogs approach, but Denise can get her calm again quite easily. I worked on outside “downs” with her. Denise is going to work on “sit-stay-come” with increasing distances. She is going to start using a cane at times, and I told her I will train Sandy to adjust to this so that Denise doesn’t hurt her back.”
Emmett and SD Daphne
From our delightful client, Emmett, who has SD Daphne! Emmett suffers from PTSD and anxiety. Emmett is so completely in love with Daphne, a pit bull originally saved by Cherry Jenkins and her rescue, In Dog We Trust, from a puppy mill. Daphne is equally in love with Emmett! They make a WONDERFUL pair – and Daphne always knows when Emmett is anxious and immediately responds with comfort.
“Hello Laurie! Just wanted to send you a quick update. Classes started Monday here on campus, and Daphne has been going to all of mine with me. She curls up at my feet under the table if space permits or to the side of my desk. She responds very well to hand signals (i.e. Sit (fist), down (two finger taps on floor), under/in (1 snap and point in any direction)). She is getting better and better at walking in a heel without much direction. She is fully switched over to grain-free food, so she’s not “passing gas” so much. All in all, it’s going great! I will start teaching children as part of my education, and will be bringing Daphne!”
Wayne Kyle, Bradley Cooper and Letty
Our beloved trainer, Letty, who is undergoing treatment for breast cancer, had a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity the other day while she was at San Antonio Military Medical Center!! Bradley Cooper, star of the new movie coming out, “American Sniper”, came to pay a visit to the Wounded Warriors at SAMMC. He was accompanied by the actual sniper, Chris Kyle’s, father, Wayne Kyle on January 14th. Letty, who was having a rough day at the hospital, heard that Bradley was there, and they found him! Letty got to talk to Bradley and Wayne intimately – the movie addresses Post Traumatic Stress Disorder in depth – and Letty talked to them about Service Dog Express and how we train Service Dogs for Wounded Warriors with PTSD – and they gave her big hugs and so many thanks!
Makes your heart swell with pride and joy
You know when you have one of those clients and their SD that when you see pictures of them together, it just makes your heart swell with pride and joy? Well, it’s that way with the most compassionate Wounded Warrior, Marine Andrew, who is finishing up his separation from the Marines due to PTSD and TBI, and his BFF, the adorable “Mozzie”. Working diligently beyond belief with the amazing Unleashed Dog Training in North Carolina, near Camp LeJeune, these two have consistently impressed me with their bond and their dedication. Talking to Andrew on the phone often to maintain that bond between he and I while he is undergoing training in NC has been an absolute privilege. He is going through some difficult times right now – we are trying our hardest to get his Chain of Command to allow Mozzie into the barracks for the short time Andrew will be there for out processing – please wish us luck. They NEED each other!
Amanda and Diesel
From our trainer, Andrew, who is working with Amanda and her SDIT, Diesel.
“We conducted this session at D&D Farm Supply in Seguin. During this session, we worked on Diesel’s focus on Amanda and away from other distractions, and on Amanda‘s handling skills. We worked on Diesel’s ability to “stay” in the commanded position, and conducting “watch me” on Amanda while walking through a crowded environment. Diesel did well for the first 20 minutes, but then began to get off track. So, I took Diesel and built up his focus a bit using techniques that allow him to engage with his environment while simultaneously teaching him to follow along and focus more on his handler. This seemed to help considerably, and the rest of the session went very well. I brought my trained dog Penelope along with me, and she really helps dogs to learn.