Category Archives: Anxiety

Anxiety, Mobility, San Antonio, Texas

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!!

Anxiety, Army, Equipment, Military, Mobility, PTSD, San Antonio, Texas, Veteran, Wounded Warrior

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.”

Anxiety, Austin, PTSD, San Antonio, Texas

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!”

ADA Rights, Agoraphobia, Anxiety, Experience, Panic Attack, San Antonio, Texas

Service Dog is Harassed by Police

Service Dog is Harassed by Police: Please watch the video.

It happened at the home of our client, Gilbert, one of the sweetest people I’ve ever met. He has a Service Dog that is fully trained name “Solea”. I helped train her. Gilbert had severe agoraphobia, and Solea has helped him start to live a normal life. The police showed up at the door as Gilbert’s mother was coming home. They were searching for Gilbert’s sister, who had a warrant for her arrest. She does not even live with Gilbert and his mother. Gilbert said there were 6 officers there, all with guns pointed. He posted it on youtube, and sent it to us. It made me cry. You can bet the Atascosa County Sheriff’s Office will be hearing from me. We responded to Gilbert and asked him the following questions, and here are Gilbert’s replies:

1. What emotions were you going through during the encounter and after the encounter? Gilbert – “I was extremely upset/scared/nervous for us – me and Solea – before we could even step out.”

2. How did Solea help you cope? Gilbert – “She helped me stay as calm as I could under the circumstances of me almost losing her to the ignorance of these officers.”

3. What happened to you and Solea once you exited the home; ie – how did the officers treat you and Solea after the incident? Gilbert – “After we exited the house, a Captain continued to harass and verbally attack me, once again, Solea begins to bark because she can sense my anxiety and she’s protecting me; we have to remember these deputies had guns out and were wearing black vests outside their clothes.” Ironically – the Lieutenant that was the last to leave “apologized” for the Captain’s behavior.

4. How many people were outside your home and in what capacity? Gilbert: “There were 6 officers – all had their weapons drawn and pointed at us.”

5. Who was at home with you and Solea? Gilbert: “My mom and brother.”

There will be more footage of this tomorrow. Apparently, a detective had been out the day before and scoured the home, and was completely aware of the fact that Solea was a Service Dog. Gilbert is filing a complaint against the Captain that continued to harass him and Solea afterward, and is going to press criminal charges for harassment of a Service Dog and Service Dog handler, as well as a code that Gilbert looked up that states that in the state of Texas, if a Service Dog is Harassed or hurt in any way, the person responsible for that action is responsible for any rehabilitation that the Service Dog needs after this traumatization. Gilbert said that Solea is definitely showing signs of trauma.

I think this is definitely worth pressing charges for and alerting the media. Gilbert is handling it, despite his severe anxiety, like a true professional. I am so proud of him. – Laurie

Anxiety, Experience, Houston, PTSD, Texas

Cole and Aurora

A truly amazing update from our trainer, Kendra, who is working with beautiful Cole. Cole’s dear mother wrote:

“My 17 year old daughter, Cole, was diagnosed with severe social anxiety disorder when she was 14 years old. Once we understood the disorder, it became clear that it had started around age 11. Cole is high functioning around adults, but started having panic attacks around her peer group. She worked intensively with 3 professionals and has made great progress, but still has a ways to go. Cole lost her Dad to melanoma when she was 6 years old. That same year we lost her only uncle and grandpa. All the men in our life within 6 months. Cole was bullied at school during this time. Although she handled it well – she started showing signs of PTSD and OCD. In hind sight, Cole’s Dad suffered from social anxiety and some OCD too. Cole thinks everyone in her life is going to die any time she is not with them. Since I am the only one left – she still has anxiety if I leave the house without her or vice versa. If she goes in a public place and it is all adults, she is well-spoken and an impressive individual. If there are any pre-teen or teenagers, she will either have to leave or go into a state where she can’t even pick a chair to sit in. All the animals on our block come to see her daily, and one neighbor’s cat has moved into our yard for the past 3 years. Cole has a relationship with animals and any other living creature that is AMAZING.

I believe a Service Dog would be a critical component in helping Cole be able to become independent and be able to take college classes and interact in public. She needs to be able to become confident so that she can avoid panic attacks in public or work through them with her Service Dog the way she does with me. It is heart breaking to watch such an incredibly kind, intelligent and sensitive person not be able to pursue any interests or activities outside of our home independently.”

Well, dear Kendra, in Houston, has helped sweet Cole find the perfect dog for Cole! She writes: “I had the pleasure of working with Cole and her mom, Sherri today. After spending many minutes on the phone trying to find the perfect dog, we had a meet and greet today so I could see if the dog they found was finally the one. The dog was in a foster home with the greater Houston German Shepard Rescue; her name is Aurora. When we arrived, Aurora was in the kennel and she was barking because she was so excited to see Cole again. Cole and her mom had already met with Aurora when they went through the approval process. The foster mom let Aurora out of the crate and she ran to Cole! She was SO happy to see Cole again!

Aurora already knows many commands, such as “sit”, “down”, “stay”, and “shake”. I was able to touch all parts of Aurora’s body without any problems. I also was able to touch her mouth and all four paws. I made a loud noise behind her back and all she did was turn her head and look at me. She did awesome! After the evaluation, I went with the family to the pet store to help them get the items needed for Aurora. Once we had those items, we were able to go back to the foster and pick up the Aurora.

During this transition, Cole experiences a full panic attack and could not enter the home, so her mother and I went inside and brought Aurora to Cole. Aurora acted like she has been doing Service Dog work her whole life! She immediately leaned into Cole and licked her. Within a matter of minutes, the panic attack had passed and Cole was able to come inside. While her mom was signing the final papers for adoption, I worked with the team on walking in a “heel” and the proper placement. Aurora was already getting better after just a few minutes! After the adoption was final, I followed them to their house to help them get settled in. There, we put the kennel together and worked on some separation anxiety that the fosters had told us about when she is in the kennel. We worked on this until Cole was confident that tonight would go smoothly. We also worked on Aurora leaving the cat alone. Cole was having severe anxiety about the cat and the dog. The cat has been with her for 15 years! But it didn’t take long for the cat to establish her personal space. We also went over a feeding schedule, and got Aurora to sit while Cole put the food bowl down and release her to eat. We talk about so many things and Cole took to everything like a champ!

I know that Cole and Aurora are the perfect team, and I look forward to working with them again.”

Air Force, Anxiety, Army, Coast Guard, Marine, Military, Navy, PTSD, San Antonio, Texas, Veteran, Wounded Warrior

Don and Herman

Our trainer, Andrew, had a wonderful session with Don, a Wounded Warrior with PTSD and social anxiety who writes that he would like his Service Dog, Herman, “To be present with me in 90% of my activities. I wish to do car trips with him. He gives purpose to the things I do, including volunteer work at the hospital, church, or Police Department”. What a beautiful sentiment!

Andrew writes: “During this session, we went over the basics; “sit”, “down”, “wait”, “heel (loose)”, “don’t pull”, and some classical conditioning. This process is very effective, as Herman is already very well under control! The bond that he has with Don is joyful and happy. Herman is very attentive and very well-behaved. They are already well-practiced at walking to the coffee shop off leash!”

Anxiety, Experience, Psychiatric, PTSD, San Antonio, Texas

CONGRATULATIONS TO CAROL AND KENSI

CONGRATULATIONS TO CAROL AND KENSI, WHO PASSED THEIR PUBLIC ACCESS TEST!!!!! Carol and Kensi have been extremely consistent in their training, and it has paid off! Carol suffers from PTSD, anxiety, and other psychiatric issues. But she has overcome many of her symptoms with the help of now Service Dog Kensi and Andrew’s training!

“This was Carol and Kensi’s Public Access Test. We met up in front of Petsmart, and I followed them around as they performed the tasks required by the test – and let me tell you these two performed beautifully! They passed their test with 100% accuracy. Even though Carol was very nervous, I can honestly say that I have never seen such a wonderful match between a dog and human. When I first got Kensi as my foster, she was very scared of loud noises, and wanted to run away. She suffered from what we believe was a minute form of Canine PTSD as a result of the first two humans she was matched with who had violent outbursts resulting from their own PTSD. Now that Kensi has been matched up with Carol, who is much more emotionally stable, she has excelled at her work. Complete turn around… I will stay in touch with these two as they have become my friends in this process. Below are some victory pictures!”

Andrew – I would like to personally add that knowing Kensi’s extensive history of trying to find the right home for her has been a true emotional roller coaster for Kensi. I still remember first meeting her – and how gentle and loving she was. Unfortunately, when we try to place dogs with clients, the dynamic doesn’t always work. Kensi has endured so much – and your dedication to not giving up on her and finding a wonderful, loving person like Carol absolutely turned Kensi’s life around; and I’m sure it has turned Carol’s life around. I am very, very proud of you, Andrew, Carol, and Kensi. – Laurie

Anxiety, Experience, PTSD, San Antonio, Texas

Brenda and Bailey

From our trainer, Andrew, who is working with Brenda and her SDIT, Bailey. Brenda suffers from severe PTSD and anxiety.

This was my first session with Brenda and Bailey. As I entered the house, Bailey immediately began to show fear and panic. I got down on all fours, then onto my belly and took to soothing her in a submissive position. Brenda handed me a bag full of hot dogs. I worked on training eye contact and relaxation. Bailey is a smart dog, fully capable of becoming a Service Dog, but Brenda and myself both agree that if she is unable to overcome the fear of others in two more sessions, then Brenda will begin searching for another dog to be her Service Dog. Bailey did show positive signs of acceptance by the end of our session, so I am hopeful for her. The poor girl just needs some gentle training to help build that confidence in the real world.

At our second session, we worked a little more on Bailey’s acceptance of me. We worked outside, and Bailey showed more submission to my presence. In the past, Brenda has taken Bailey to a facility for training. It appears that the methods this organization used more than likely stifled Bailey’s confidence. Apparently, they use electronic collar training, which Service Dog Express would NEVER use because it is a form of negative reinforcement and instills fear in any dog. I believe that Bailey is afraid that she will have to endure more of this abusive form of training when she sees me. To try and counteract this, I bring lots of treats and use lots of slow motion praise. At the next session, we will determine whether or not we are going to use Bailey as a Service Dog or not. If she is able to overcome this fear, then we will proceed; if not then we will look for another dog. It is a true shame that such a wonderful dog with so much potential had to endure this former training.

Anxiety, Depression, Houston, Mobility, PTSD, TBI, Texas, Veteran, Wounded Warrior

Wounded Warrior Ed found his perfect SDIT, Casper

Congratulations to Wounded Warrior, Ed, who found his perfect SDIT, Casper!!! Ed was recently medically retired. He suffers from PTSD and TBI, anxiety, depression, light sensitivity, poor balance, and a bad memory. He takes multiple medications and has a hard time remembering when to take them. He is being seen at the VISOR clinic at the Debakey VA center here Houston. Ed will be training with our trainer Bo Hughes in Houston.

Kendra, our trainer in Houston, has been fostering Casper – and now he has found his forever home!

Bo writes:

“Ed and Casper seem made for each other! Ed’s wife Amber also fell in love with Casper! Training will begin soon!”

ADA Rights, Anxiety, Depression, Panic Attack, San Antonio, Texas

Alex and SDiT Allie

From our wonderful trainer, Beverly, who began working with Alex, who suffers from severe anxiety and depression, and his SDIT, “Allie”.

“Allie is a super sweet dog who already goes many places with Alex, and has been his “emotional support” animal. Alex wants Allie to be a fully trained Service Dog to help with anxiety and panic attacks, bring him out of depressed moods, and remind him to take medications. Alex’s job as a realtor allows him to take Allie with him to most places, so she is already accustomed to “going to work.” During our training sessions, we discussed the importance of “high value treats” to get Allie to perform the necessary skills, especially when she is being a bit “stubborn”. We also discussed ADA laws, rules for Service Dogs, and the steps needed in the process for him and Allie to be a SD team. Alex will be training with both my son, Andrew and I to ensure we can get him through the process in a timely fashion. At our next session, we will work on the basic commands, such as “sit”, “down”, “stay”, and some fun games to engage Allie in play.”