Category Archives: PTSD

Anxiety, Panic Attack, Psychiatric, PTSD, San Antonio, Texas

CONGRATULATIONS to Tracy and Cooper

CONGRATULATIONS to Tracy, who suffers with extreme PTSD, flashbacks, and disassociation episodes, and her now SD Cooper!

Tracy has been through SO much over this past year. She was originally paired with SD Apollo, and at first, it was an instant bond. Tracy and her loving husband, Jon, met Apollo about one year ago, and immediately at my house, Apollo started doing covers for Tracy. For a long time, and with a lot of training, Tracy and Apollo passed their PAT together.

However, as time went on and Tracy’s therapy was not working, her disassociation episodes continued to get worse. She began withdrawing from everything – even Apollo – and Apollo started bonding more with her husband, Jon. Apollo would not sleep on the bed nor next to it to wake Tracy from her night terrors. They realized, sadly, that Apollo would be better off in another home. They gave Apollo to a Wounded Warrior, whose symptoms were not as severe. It was a bittersweet day for Tracy.

However, in the meantime, Tracy had already adopted Cooper, a magnificent dog fostered by a woman named Margaret, who already knew most of the PAT command – he had just not found the right “person”. Tracy and Jon adopted Cooper while still looking for a home for Apollo, and Tracy went right to work practicing everything she had learned from working with Apollo to working with Cooper. Cooper had the very opposite type of personality as Apollo – while Apollo was very laid-back and slow-moving, Cooper was more active and much more in tune with Tracy’s moods and behaviors. Cooper immediately started sleeping with or next to her, waking her from night terrors, and would alert every time she went into disassociation. It wasn’t that Apollo wasn’t a great SD – he just wasn’t the one for Tracy’s particularly strong needs.

They practiced and perfected each and every inside command – as Tracy made up her mind not to give up on the idea of a Service Dog – and they started going out into public (something that Tracy had stopped doing as much when her symptoms returned and Apollo was becoming unresponsive). She said it was like night and day. Cooper never let Tracy out of his eyesight, alerted the minute she would start to have a flashback, would get Jon if she needed help, and Tracy began to feel confident again.

After many intensive, multi-hour sessions, Tracy and Cooper passed their PAT! They were perfect together. They passed every command out in public over and over flawlessly. Cooper automatically covers Tracy without command from whatever direction she needs it. We even dressed Cooper up in Halloween attire, and he got a lot of meet and greets with happy little children! Now, Tracy is off to receive intensive outpatient therapy with Cooper ready and by her side, and she rests comfortably knowing that fully-trained Apollo is helping someone else.

BEST WISHES, TRACY, COOPER, AND JON! THANK YOU FOR YOUR BITTERSWEET SACRIFICE!

Anxiety, Austin, Panic Attack, PTSD, Texas

Hannah and SDIT Addie

From our trainer in Austin, who is working with 16 year-old Hannah, who suffers from PTSD and anxiety.

“Hi Laurie!
I had a great session with Hannah and SDIT Addie, her German Shepherd puppy!

Last time we met, we worked on Addie’s excitement towards people and dogs in public, and she has made HUGE progress! Hannah got Addie a head halter due to Addie pulling on the leash, and it made a huge difference!

We spent some time inside Petsmart to expose Addie to a dog environment and then went outside and worked on loose leash walking in the park with the head halter on. She is still getting used to it, but her walking with it made a huge difference for Hannah being able to control her. Addie has an obsession with little children, so we went over to a playground, sat on a bench and worked in on keep her settled while there was a child running around so Addie could get used to them.

I made the suggestion that they go to a playground, find a bench to sit on and over-expose Addie to kids so she gets desensitized to them.

Hannah also asked me about how to make Addie’s recalls stronger. I suggested putting Addie on a long leash and call her over and treat her every time she comes to her. Another way to make her recalls much stronger is doing it at a dog park when she is around other dogs and distractions, and just practice calling her back and highly reinforcing that.

They both did great today and can’t wait until our next session!”

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

CONGRATULATIONS to Ronnie to SD Roxy

CONGRATULATIONS to Ronnie, a Wounded Warrior with PTSD and TBI, who, with the excellent training of Kendra, passed his PAT with now SD, Roxy!!!

“We met at target to do Ronnie’s PAT. I am SO proud of the hard work and dedication of this team! They did beautifully on the PAT and they PASSED!!! Roxy was born to do this work; as a matter of fact, when I was trying to get a picture she kept getting up to do covers because people were walking behind Ronnie! She just does it without having to be told! These two make the perfect team and are so inseparable, they love each other so much and it shows!!!! Congratulations you two!!!!”

Air Force, Army, Coast Guard, Equipment, Experience, General, Marine, Military, Navy, PTSD, TBI, Veteran, Wounded Warrior

Manakenn Art 2014

Look at this beautiful artwork done by former client, Wounded Warrior Ken, with SD Mozart!! For each sculpture he sells, a portion of the proceeds he will donate to our non-profit, In Dog We Trust!! THANK YOU AND BLESS YOU KEN!!!!

Helping Veterans suffering from PTSD the oppurtunity to adopt service dogs to assist in their rehabilitation at no cost
Helping Veterans suffering from PTSD the opportunity to adopt service dogs to assist in their rehabilitation at no cost
Dallas-Fort Worth, Military, PTSD, Texas, Veteran, Wounded Warrior

Dawn and her Wounded Warrior’s Husband’s SDiT Nova

From Candace, our trainer in Fort Worth, who is working with the Morrison family to train Dawn’s husband, a Wounded Warrior, who suffers from PTSD.

“Dawn Morrison is helping her husband train their tripod German Shepherd Dog mix, Nova, while her husband is receiving treatment. While gathering some baseline information, I noticed that Nova was having some problems maintaining an upright position during walking tasks. I also noted that she would dip on her one front leg every 5 steps or so. I decided to offer some suggestions on strengthening her legs, and increasing her endurance. We also went over some basic command work such as “come,” “sit,” “down,” and “stay.” She knows the basics, but what the Morrison family needs to focus on is getting her response time quicker. We did include some walking, but a good portion of the session was focused on education and action planning, as Nova did require a significant amount of rest. They were given a lot of information, but they were implementing the correct strategies with training his SDIT, so she was doing extremely well.

Today, I could tell the difference in Nova’s endurance level. She was able to tolerate more activity and training, subsequently lessening the down/lag time between commands. However, it was noted that she was dipping on her one front left every 5-7 hops. I was concerned about her joint integrity and offered some advice to help protect her from possible injury. I also saw that she needs some major work with “heel,” and walking in general. I think this will be an uphill battle for the Morrison Family as it is a little harder for Nova to regulate her speed. However, good news on the horizon, as they found someone who is donating Nova a prosthetic leg!! In the mean time, they will wrap up her leg and continue the basic to advance obedience work, until Mr. Morrison is out of treatment and back home with his family. At that time, more specialized training and socialization will begin. I’m so excited to be a part of their journey!”

Of course, Nova’s Service Dog abilities will constantly be monitored by their veterinarian

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

Happy Day For Marc and Genevieve

A happy day for Marc, a Wounded Warrior who spent 20 years in the Marines and suffers from PTSD. He found a “battle buddy” in Genevieve!!! He drove down from Austin to first meet Nelly, whom Cherry Jenkins with In Dog We Trust graciously lent her time to see if it was a match, but it just wasn’t the “right” dog for Marc’s particular situation. It’s always important that each client feels completely secure in their choice of dog, and Nelly WILL find that special someone – thank you Cherry. However, then Marc met with Genevieve’s foster from S.A. Rocks, and they spent time together – Genevieve was quite shy at first, but after talking with Marc on his drive home to Ft. Worth, where he is a Nursing Student, the bond is beginning to grow. It was wonderful talking to him – he understood that Genevieve and he will learn and grow and train and bond together – making mistakes together, and having triumphs together. He said it was just like being in the Marines and learning with your actual battle buddies. I have no doubt that Marc and Genevieve will thrive with the help of trainer Candace. Please wish them the best of luck!!!

Anxiety, Austin, Fibromyalgia, PTSD, Texas

Meghan and Precious

From our trainer in Austin, who is working with Meghan, who suffers from PTSD, flashbacks, and fibromyalgia.

“Hi Laurie!

I had a session with Meghan and Precious. Precious is heeling really nicely along Meghan’s side while outside. She is having difficulty with meet and greets and jumping on counters while food is on it.
So, we went to her apartment office and had Precious do a couple meets and greets with a couple nice ladies. I showed Meghan the appropriate way to have Precious behave if a stranger wanted to come up and pet him with her permission.

We went back to Meghan’s place and worked on “leave it”. I worked with Precious on leaving a piece of chicken on the floor, table, and kitchen counter. He did really well and did not jump at all (probably because he knew we were watching him . We wanted to catch him jumping and train him not to, so that is still a work in progress.
But, overall it was a good session. I told Meghan to go ahead and buy a vest for Precious. They are ready to do more training in public now.”

KEEP UP THE GOOD WORK, MEGHAN AND PRECIOUS. IT WILL COME!

Anxiety, Austin, Equipment, PTSD, Texas

Hannah and Addie

From our trainer in Austin, who is working with Hannah, who is a delightful 16 year old who unfortunately suffers from anxiety, night terrors, and PTSD.  Her SDIT is Addie!

“Hello!

I had a session with Hannah and Addie on Sunday. Addie is a beautiful 6 month-old German Shepherd who has grown tremendously and knows her basics very well. Hannah had concerns about Addie being overly excitable when out in public. Addie gets excited when she sees other dogs and people and starts to bark and jump in the air, which of course a Service Dog cannot do.

I worked with Addie out in a public park on a 20ft long leash so we could practice recalls. I also wanted to tire Addie out. I made sure I saw people or dogs walk by, had my hand pre-loaded with treats, and treated Addie rapidly as they walked by. I would treat her for no reaction and pretty soon, she caught on and started to turn her attention back to me! This is a technique I recommend clients try out. Hannah felt a lot better after the session, knowing it can be managed.

We also worked on leave it, stays, and eye contact. Addie’s eye contact is amazing!”

BRILLIANT WORK TO OUR TRAINER, HANNAH, AND ADDIE!!!

Experience, Military, PTSD, Veteran, Wounded Warrior

Andrew and SD M-ozzie

Look at this beautiful letter Wounded Warrior Andrew, who was paired with Ozzie (now called Mozzie) while at Laurel Ridge, wrote to Ozzie’s previous owner. Andrew is doing wonderfully, and has found a superb Service Dog trainer in North Carolina. I spoke for about two hours with this trainer, and he said Mozzie is brilliant and will make an excellent SD – and that Andrew is completely committed to the process!“Hi Nikki!

I thought I’d send you another update.

I just started training today with Mozzie, (added an M, he doesn’t seem to mind too much , and he’s picking things up really quickly. It was only the first class, but we rehashed proper grooming/handling inspections (ears, eyes, nose, paws, tail, etc.), sitting and standing, and how to potty on command!

I’m currently staying with a couple from our church, and Mozzie is really feeling at home with two other dogs, Kuma and Nala. Kuma is the family’s grumpy old man, but Mozzie and Nala like to chase each other around and play all the time!

We’ve been to the vet for a few shots, had an accident or two in the house, but otherwise have been getting along splendidly. Now that training has begun, I only expect the bond to continue to grow between us.

We go for walks twice a day, and Mozzie goes everywhere with me. To the grocery store, to work, the doctor’s office, even to the bathroom with me!

Thank you again for everything, I hope you and your family are well!

Andrew”

MIRACLES HAPPEN WHEN PEOPLE WORK TOGETHER!!!

 

Experience, Military, PTSD, San Antonio, Texas, Veteran, Wounded Warrior

Changing of the Service Dogs

What a bittersweet day it was yesterday! Our dear, dear client, Tracy, who suffers with psychiatric difficulties, and her wonderful husband, Jon, had fully-trained Great Pyrenees, Apollo, as her Service Dog for a year. Unfortunately, even though their bond was strong and Apollo was a wonderful Service Dog, over time, Apollo started bonding more with Jon. Tracy made the tremendous sacrifice to adopt out her beloved Apollo to a Wounded Warrior, Brian, who is currently at Laurel Ridge. Brian was a dog handler in the military, and has extensive experience with dog training. He has a very sad story – the dog he worked with on deployment became extremely special to him, as they saw a lot of combat together. When the mission ended, however, they took the dog away from Brian. This started his PTSD and other symptoms. He tried his hardest to get that dog back, and SHOULD have, but he found out that the military had “retired” the dog and adopted it out! He says it was probably the greatest trauma of his life.

He saw Apollo on our website, and fell in love. Tracy, Jon, and I went to Laurel Ridge and the bond was instant between Brian and Apollo. Brian was so sensitive to Tracy, who was both sad to say goodbye to Apollo, but so happy he was going to someone like Brian. Laurel Ridge is letting him stay there while he goes through treatment. We also saw client Joseph, who was there with his SD, Viva!!

Apollo will be in wonderful hands. And the happy ending to this is that Tracy finally found a dog that suits her better – the beautiful Cooper, lovingly fostered by Margaret Melvin. Cooper is almost fully trained and clings to Tracy in a much more helpful way than Apollo did.

Two SDs and two happy owners! Attaching a picture of Tracy’s new SDIT!!!

God bless you, Tracy and Jon, for your generous sacrifice. You are paying it forward. And thank you, Margaret, for giving the gift of Cooper to Tracy! Here is a picture of Apollo, then a picture of Cooper!