Category Archives: Bipolar

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, Bipolar, Depression, San Antonio, Texas

Greg and SDiT Missy

From our trainer, Jackie, who had her first training session with Greg and his SDIT, Missy. Laurie will continue to work with Greg and Missy after this point. Jackie writes:

I met with Greg on March 1st to work with him and Missy on her Service Dog Training for some cognitive developmental delays, depression and anxiety. Greg has continued to work with Missy on sitting. This week, we worked on having Missy sit at the door before she is allowed outside. If Missy broke her sit-stay once, the door was opened, and she had to be placed back into a sit before being released to go outside. Greg also worked with Missy in “catching in the moment” of her “down” to decrease the amount of time it takes her to learn his new command.

We noticed Missy is obedient but has a short attention span as many dogs do that are new to training. Training accommodations and recommendations were made and written down for Greg to continue working with Missy. They are: 1) Missy must sit and “wait” at door before going out. 2) Practice with Missy from only 10 minutes at a time three times a day at this point because Missy has a short attention span. This amount of time will increase as we continue to help you train. 3) Keep Missy in a harness for now so that you can easily put a leash on her if someone comes to the door 4) Do not assume that Missy understands the “stay” command yet. For example: I would not let loose of the leash anywhere thinking that Missy will stay. Do not let Missy off leash at parents’ home in backyard because Missy could easily escape through the barbed wire fence until she learns “come” and “home”. 4) Whenever there is food anywhere (table, counter, tray table, etc.), assume that Missy can reach this food while still untrained.

Overall, it was a very good and enjoyable training session!

Anxiety, Bipolar, Depression, Houston, Texas

Elisa and SDiT CB

From our dear trainer, Kendra, in Houston, with Elisa and her SDIT, “CB”. Elisa suffers from bipolar disorder, anxiety, and depression. Kendra writes:

I met Elisa at her house for the initial evaluation. At first, CB was shy; she was hiding behind Elisa when I came in the door. I had a treat in my hand and she would not take it. So Elisa and I sat down and talked about what she wanted a Service Dog to perform for her and more about the process.

After being there awhile, CB warmed up to me and I was able to do the evaluation. CB has already finished basic obedience at the Pet Store, so she knows “sit”, “lay (down)”, “off”, “leave it”, and loose-leash walking. I was able to handle CB with little problems. She is treat motivated, and has a strong bond with Elisa. We went outside to see how CB did outside of the home, and CB was much more outgoing when she was away from the other dog that’s in the home. I asked Elisa to work on getting CB to focus on her when out for walks by stopping at times and having CB do a “watch me”. The homework for Elisa and CB is to practice “watch me”, “sitting at the door” to go out, and socialization. We also talked about shedding, as CB sheds very badly. In one of these pictures, Elisa was having an anxiety attack and CB was comforting her!”

Anxiety, Bipolar, Depression, Equipment, Houston, Texas

Elisa and her SDIT, “CB”.

From our dear trainer, Kendra, in Houston, with Elisa and her SDIT, “CB”. Elisa suffers from bipolar disorder, anxiety, and depression. Kendra writes:

I met Elisa at her house for the initial evaluation. At first, CB was shy; she was hiding behind Elisa when I came in the door. I had a treat in my hand and she would not take it. So Elisa and I sat down and talked about what she wanted a Service Dog to perform for her and more about the process.

After being there awhile, CB warmed up to me and I was able to do the evaluation. CB has already finished basic obedience at the Pet Store, so she knows “sit”, “lay (down)”, “off”, “leave it”, and loose-leash walking. I was able to handle CB with little problems. She is treat motivated, and has a strong bond with Elisa. We went outside to see how CB did outside of the home, and CB was much more outgoing when she was away from the other dog that’s in the home. I asked Elisa to work on getting CB to focus on her when out for walks by stopping at times and having CB do a “watch me”. The homework for Elisa and CB is to practice “watch me”, “sitting at the door” to go out, and socialization. We also talked about shedding, as CB sheds very badly. In one of these pictures, Elisa was having an anxiety attack and CB was comforting her!”

Anxiety, Bipolar, San Antonio, Texas

Candice and Trenton

From our wonderful trainer, Cherry, who is working with Candice, who has Bi-polar disorder and anxiety, and her SDIT, Trenton.

I had a great session yesterday with Candice and her SDIT, Trenton. Trenton is a Corgi-Lab mix, and can certainly have his.. “I’m a Corgi” days. But Candice has kept consistent with training, and didn’t let Trenton have his way – and the results show for themselves.
At first, Trenton refused to walk next to the shopping cart, this is very natural for many dogs.. I mean who wants to walk along with this big wire thing in their face? But I showed Candice the importance of keeping a short leash; the less leash the less room he has to move out from position. Trenton soon got the hang of it and was walking next to the cart like a pro!

Trenton’s off-leash work was very good as seen here in the pictures. He wasn’t tempted to walk away and kept by Candice. The gap needs shortening, as we’re looking for a neater heel off-leash – but Candice says she’s going to work on that. Trenton’s “sits”, “downs”, and “stays” were flawless!

Anxiety, Bipolar, Psychiatric, PTSD, San Antonio, Texas

Wendy and Capone

From our wonderful trainer, Jackie, who had her initial assessment with new client, Wendy, who unfortunately suffers with Bipolar Disorder 2, Borderline Personality Disorder, anxiety and PTSD. Jackie writes:

“I met with Wendy for the first time to have her Staffordshire Bull Terrier, “Capone”, assessed to be a Service Dog. Capone is wonderful with children, handles the cats well, and is extremely in tune to Wendy’s needs. Capone is a very strong boy that will need some work on his loose-leash walking, but he has already had a good jump start on his basic commands. I am so happy to have Wendy and Capone join as one of the new teams to Service Dog Express!”

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Assistance in the Rio Grande Valley and more

This is a message from our exceptionally brilliant and compassionate trainer, Jacqueline (Jackie). Her life’s passion is to help Veterans, and she asked us to post this for all Veterans, especially in the Rio Grande Valley (RGV), if they need help.

I have been a graduate psychologist at the VA down here in the RGV. After working in 3 different VA health care systems, I have seen the great need for Veteran care and have seen both good (actually excellent) and bad ways VAs are run and treatment is provided. It is with an EXTREMELY saddened heart that I can no longer allow myself to provide a lower level of care to Veterans than what they deserve, nor be forced into functioning in a treatment setting that is providing unethical care.

I LOVE my work with Veterans and see such a huge need for this to continue, but as I leave, I also see several other amazing psychologists leaving as well due to the same challenges. I continue to see a need for Behavioral Health Care in the Rio Grande Valley, with Veterans and Civilians alike. After 11 years of schooling and 7 years providing Behavioral Health (BH) Services, I was completing my licensure requirements as a psychologist to provide the highest and most comprehensive options out there, however, despite the need for services in the RGV, I ran into several dead ends for finishing this last piece. However, I am willing to put my own final step on hold to help two communities (Veterans and anyone in the RGV) in need of BH services.

I hold a Masters Level License in the State of Texas that allows me to practice independently (but with some restrictions from what I would have had with my psychologist license and obviously at about 1/3-1/4 of the pay). I am hoping to make some things come together over the next month or two (and will probably be open to picking up random general labor work as my student loans have gone into effect and I incurred debt moving from Idaho to here), but am hoping to offer TeleHealth (similar to Skyping but in a much more secure system) and/or in home therapy/animal assisted-therapy services here in the RGV at hopefully a fraction of the cost of some other places (most likely on an income based sliding scale fee basis) since I will not be accepting insurance and I am wanting to reach a larger population of those in need.

That being said, minus the in-home piece, I am able to offer this TeleHealth service within the scope of my practice anywhere in the state of Texas. I am most wanting to reach Veterans as I know for many, wait times between treatment sessions is 2-3 months in several facilities throughout the state. However, I am also really wanting to service Civilians in the RGV and throughout Texas. I am NOT bilingual unfortunately, but have a considerable amount of understanding of the RGV culture, the Hispanic Culture, and the Texas Hispanic Culture.

For those of you who may know of people who may be able to benefit from this, please feel free to contact me. I will gladly share my extensive training and treatment experience with anyone who requests this, and am hoping to start this as an option for the community within the next two months.

Please contact me at: Jacqueline Kappelman

Anxiety, Bipolar, PTSD, San Antonio, Texas

Carol and SDIT Kensi

From trainer Andrew, who is working with Carol and her SDIT, Kensi:

“Kensi and Carol are inching their way ever closer to to Public Access Test, and we are just continually reinforcing our out in public behaviors. This session took place at a dog park near Selma. Since it is right next to the highway, Kensi seemed a little put off by it so she didn’t perform as well as expected, and to make matters worse a garbage truck pulled up next to the fence and made so much noise that poor Kensi got scared and cowered a little; but we calmed her down quickly and walked around, helping her learn that loud noises and distractions can still be safe. We went inside to an agility course and Kensi seemed to do a little better once distracted from the garbage monster! We also worked on our leashing behaviors and sit/stay and wait/stay.”

Anxiety, Bipolar, PTSD, San Antonio, Texas

Carol and SDiT Kensi

From our trainer, Andrew, who is working with Carol, who suffers from bi-polar disorder, anxiety, and PTSD, and her SDIT, Kensi.

“For this session, we went over some basic obedience like “down/stay” and “sit/stay”. We talked about the importance of speaking the word, then making the gesture, then immediately rewarding the proper execution of the command. I played a relationship game with her called restrained recall. This is the act of the dog learning to come quickly and enthusiastically to the handler once she has been released by the helper. Kensi seemed to get it right away, but only strolled up to Carol. I can see with practice that Kensi will build drive for this exercise and become more enthusiastic as the repetitions progress. I showed Carol the “cover” maneuver, and she seemed understand, but has a little trouble with reaching around and luring the dog behind her. I gave her some tips on how to ease that a little and we will see how Kensi is taking to “cover” next week.”

 

Bipolar, Depression, Panic Attack, Virginia

Ashley and her SDiT

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An update from our trainer, Catherine, in Virginia, and her new client, Ashley! Ashley suffers from Bipolar 2 Disorder, depression, and panic attacks in crowds. These issues have caused problems with school, her relationships, and being at large social gatherings.

“Meet Ashley and her new SDiT (name to be determined)! Ashley met this beautiful 8 month-old pitbull/mastiff mix today and the first thing the pup did was plop herself down in Ashley’s lap! It was kisses and belly rubs and snuggles from then on! We took her outside and I did some temperament and trainability evaluations on the dog. The dog passed with flying colors, and while the pup was snuggling with Ashley, she asked “would you like to come home with me?” The puppy proceeded to give Ashley a big kiss, jump up, and run around the yard like a crazy girl!!!! She is very eager to please and quickly figured out “sit” in a matter of minutes – so she will be a joy to train!

Ashley is a bit worried about the fact that the pup does look more like a pit than a mastiff, and that people will give her trouble. However, I told her I know she is strong enough to handle this and that there are plenty of people at Service Dog Express (including myself) who are behind her to support her!”

ABSOLUTELY, ASHLEY!! CONGRATULATIONS AND WELCOME!!!!