Category Archives: PTSD

Anxiety, Dallas-Fort Worth, PTSD, Texas

Heather, Marcus and SDiT Duke

From our trainer in Ft. Worth, Candace! She is working with wonderful mom, Heather, and her 7 1/2 year-old son, Marcus. Heather writes that Marcus suffers from PTSD and anxiety as a result of severe abuse and neglect he suffered prior to our adoption when he was 4 1/2. PTSD disrupts his life on a daily basis. He is a bright, compassionate, energetic young man who is being limited by the ghosts of his past. Poor Marcus’ PTSD seems to be most intense at school. The hustle and bustle of school can be overwhelming to him. His teacher reports a lot of hyper-vigilance behaviors that interfere with his ability to focus in class. He is constantly on the lookout for trouble and has to sit in a spot where he can see the whole classroom. . Often, he is afraid of sleeping in his room by himself because he has frequent nightmares / night terrors. His mother is completely committed to helping Marcus with the aid of a Service Dog.

“We’d like to give a warm welcome to Heather and her son Marcus! They just added Duke to the family and are beginning their journey. The only thing I did with Ms. Wilson this session is help assess the dogs, providing pros and cons. Duke really took to Marcus. They are both in the higher energy realm, so it looks like they will be great buddies! More than that, Duke will be a wonderful companion for Marcus. Ms. Wilson reports that they are doing well with leash training, but mostly they are working on the two bonding. They will start working on the easier commands sit and down, but more than that, play! It’s just wonderful to see Marcus happy! Here are some pictures of the two Marcus and Duke the day after they brought him home. Looks like a great match to me!!”

PTSD, San Antonio, Texas

A Glorious Experience

What a glorious experience we had yesterday!! As mentioned in posts below, a psychiatrist and caseworker from the San Antonio State Hospital contacted us a while ago about a client of theirs that they felt would benefit from a Service Dog. Mind you, the State Hospital has been in existence for over 100 years – and this is the first Service Dog they have decided to try with a patient! They regularly have Therapy Dogs that visit patients, but this one particular client and the acumen of her psychiatrist decided that based upon the client’s PTSD and other diagnoses, she would be a perfect candidate for this. The client has been “practicing” taking care of one of the psychiatrist’s dogs for months – learning how to properly take care of it, walk it, feed it, give it love and snuggles, and do some basic training. She has done a marvelous job – and that is why they feel a Service Dog will greatly benefit her as I train with her weekly at the hospital until she is ready to go out into the world on her own, with her SD by her side.

Finding the right dog for her was a bit of a challenge, but thanks to Val Moore, who rescues and fosters so many dogs in need (with the help of her husband – had to put that in there!), we found the perfect dog at ACS – Sammie. Sammie is a 1 1/2 year old small mixed breed with the most gentle and loving nature. Sammie was going to go to be permanently with the client last week, but one of the stitches in her spay popped due to an improper closing of the wound. So, Val lovingly took the dog to her own veterinarian, and the popped stitch is healing beautifully.

Val, her husband, myself, the psychiatrist, and the caseworker met with the client yesterday so the client could at least meet Sammie and hold her. It was love at first site for both of them! It was such a beautiful thing to see how gently and carefully the client held Sammie, who was swaddled in a blanket to keep her stitching area clean – the client was overloaded with kisses from Sammie and Sammie’s tail wagged the whole time!! I know the client will take the best care of Sammie – of course, always supervised by staff – and I will train with the two of them weekly. The client is already making a beautiful purple collar with butterflies on it for little Sammie – which was quite a coincidence, since Val brought Sammie on a purple leash and collar!!

The client loves to create beautiful, expressive artwork, and it is very therapeutic for her. This forward-thinking psychiatrist has a very holistic approach when working with clients, and it has helped the client start to work through her past issues and project hope for her future.

A HUGE thank-you to Val and her husband for taking the time to bring Sammie to visit the client with me. What a wonderful future both the client and Sammie have to look forward to!!!!

ADA Rights, Air Force, Experience, Military, Psychiatric, PTSD, San Antonio, TBI, Texas, Veteran, Wounded Warrior

Dear Friend and Former Trainer

From our dear friend and former trainer, Tony. Thank you, Tony – your words always have and always will mean the world to me and to all of us – and your opinions are very important to me and all of us at SDE:

“As a client and former trainer I have the utmost respect for Laurie and Service Dog Express, She has made my life so much better and I can handle the simple everyday tasks that most take for granted when she paired me with my properly assessed dog Lucy (God bless you Laurie and what you did for me).

As trainers, the client should come first; their needs are off utmost importance.

I think off myself as not only a client but as an ambassador for Service Dog. I try to educate the public as much as I can, but having just one aggressive hyper or skittish dog can make it so much harder for the public to understand what we are doing or what the dog is for, so a properly assessed dog is essential. I know we would like to place all the dogs with homes but they all can’t be a Service Dog!!..

I get so many compliments on how well behaved my dog is in public; it is a proud and calming feeling to me. So thank you so much Laurie for all that you have done to make my life a lot easier..

Tony Cuciniello
( Service Dog Lucy)”

TONY – YOU ARE VERY CORRECT THAT PROPERLY ASSESSED AND TRAINED SDs ONLY SHOULD BE IN THE PUBLIC. IF THERE IS A DOG THAT WE FEEL IS NOT ACTING APPROPRIATELY, WE WILL WORK AS HARD AS WE CAN TO TRY AND TRAIN THE INAPPROPRIATE BEHAVIOR – EVEN IF IT MEANS HAVING TO REMOVE THE DOG AND HANDLER FROM PUBLIC ACCESS FOR A WHILE. IF THE DOG JUST CAN’T BE TRAINED CORRECTLY, WE WILL ALWAYS BE HONEST AND REALIZE THAT THE DOG IS JUST NOT SERVICE DOG MATERIAL. A DOG CAN LEARN THE COMMANDS, BUT ONCE IT BEGINS TRAINING WITH THE HANDLER, DYNAMICS CHANGE. THAT IS WHY CONSISTENCY AND SUPERVISION BY TRAINERS IS PARAMOUNT. THANK YOU FOR YOUR INPUT. MANY DOGS THAT PASS ASSESSMENTS ONLY EXHIBIT BEHAVIORS ONCE THEY ARE PUT IN VASTLY DIFFERENT SITUATIONS. THEY MUST BEHAVE CORRECTLY – FOR THE SAFETY OF THE CLIENT AND THE DOG.

Agoraphobia, Psychiatric, PTSD

Amber and SD Ezri Update

A wonderful update from Amber, who has struggled for a long time with PTSD, agoraphobia, and flashbacks. She never wavered in her consistent training with SD, beautiful Ezri. Now, Amber is out working, and Ezri is her constant companion! Amber writes:

“They love her where I work, and she is allowed to be off leash and just follow me! I have problems keeping the leash in hand all the time but she never strays from me. She always walks right by my side even when off leash!”

SO PROUD OF HOW FAR AMBER HAS COME WITH THE HELP OF SD, EZRI! ONCE AFRAID OF LEAVING THE HOUSE, NOW OUT AND WORKING WITH HER COMPANION BY HER SIDE!!!

Military, PTSD, Texas, Veteran, Wounded Warrior

SD McCoy is His Reason

From our dear friend, Wounded Warrior Grady, who we worked with over a year ago. It’s posts like this that keep us all going. I am SO proud of Grady and McCoy!!!!

“I just wanted to say thank you for your work my service dog MCCOY gives me a reason for living. You have helped and save more people and animals than you will ever know. I hardly ever write on Facebook, but I couldn’t believe how some people believe there are more people who believe and love what you do then people who want to be bullies on line with out a clue. Please keep up the good work you do and turn a deaf ear to the ones who don’t get it. Thanks for your help about a year ago. If it wasn’t for you, MCCOY and I would not be here.”

GRADY, IT’S THINGS LIKE THIS THAT MAKE IT ALL WORTHWHILE. SOMETIMES IT GETS OVERWHELMING, AND I WONDER IF ALL THE HARD WORK IS REALLY MAKING CHANGES FOR PEOPLE. HEARING YOUR WORDS HAS INSPIRED ME LIKE YOU WOULD NOT BELIEVE. IT’S ALWAYS WORTH IT NOW.

ADA Rights, Anxiety, Depression, Medical Alert, Military, Psychiatric, PTSD, Veteran, Wounded Warrior

CONGRATULATIONS to Jacqueline, a Vietnam Veteran

A HUGE CONGRATULATIONS to Jacqueline, a Vietnam Veteran in New Hampshire, who has been working with a trainer there and her caseworker, sending me videotapes consistently for almost a year of her now SD, beautiful Aussie “Seeley”, performing each command in the Public Access Test and demonstrating three additional tasks specific to her disabilities. Jacqueline has been absolutely diligent and consistent in her determination to bring Seeley up to perfect par as a Service Dog. She has never waivered in her determination to demand absolute perfection, even despite setbacks in her personal life. I am so proud of her and am SO inspired by all her extremely hard work!  Seeley officially passed two days ago! Jacqueline writes;

“Dear Laurie,

My experience following your personal instruction in training Seeley has been positively rewarding beyond words. You helped me through very challenging times with Seeley when I was almost ready to give up.

I don’t think people realize how much a person’s quality of life is affected with a well-trained Service Dog. Especially, a dog that has bonded and is specifically task trained to help get through both daylight and nighttime disability issues
.
I use the word “issue” reluctantly, because unfortunately making the choice of including a Service Dog as part of my treatment in managing my service connected (100%) disability of PTSD, MST, depression, OCD, etc… has been made an issue at VA facilities – which to this day, I find perplexing. Civilian medical facilities have welcomed Seeley and I as a SDiT team, whereas VA facilities do not allow SDiT teams. Period. And with your help, I have painstakingly raised and trained my own SD because I know that a well trained dog to address specific needs will improve my quality of life. Period.

Know that your dedication is appreciated every time Seeley responds to my specific needs at all hours of the day and night.
Thank you once again.
Sincerely,
Jacqueline”

DEAR JACQUELINE – THE ISSUES YOU HAVE FACED AT THE VA FACILITIES THERE IN NH ARE ALSO PERPLEXING TO ME. BUT YOU HAVE DONE IT!! YOU ARE AN INSPIRATION TO ME AND I KNOW TO ALL THOSE WHO ARE ALSO STRUGGLING WITH ISSUES REGARDING THEIR SERVICE-RELATED DISABILITIES AND ACCESSIBILITY ISSUES. I AM SO PROUD OF YOU AND SEELEY!!!

Anxiety, PTSD, San Antonio, Texas

Welcome Leah and SDiT Abby

Welcome new client, Leah, who suffers from PTSD and vision loss, and her SDIT, Abby! Trainer Beverly writes:

“Leah had stated that during bonding time, she and Abby were doing GREAT, and she and Abby were inseparable. Abby was, however, seemingly nervous around other people. After talking to Leah and knowing she has no peripheral vision and that one of her fears is being victimized, it was determined that she and Abby were possibly feeding each other’s anxieties. We went for a walk outside and I showed Leah how to “appear” confident and how to encourage confidence in Abby. After a brief walk, both Abby and Leah were much more confident – fake it ’til you make it!. Abby does keep her eye on Leah very attentively and does a great “watch me.

Abby is a wonderful, loving, attentive, gentle soul who is happy to have a person and a purpose. She is loved greatly by Leah and even has a buddy (Leah’s cat) to lie in the sun with. Abby and Leah were connected on 12 July and she has been helping Leah ever since. Since July is the month of Leah’s birthday, she says this was the BEST present EVER!”

CONFIDENCE IS THE KEY, BEVERLY – YOU ARE RIGHT. FOR ALL CLIENTS – HAVE FAITH THAT YOUR DOG WILL DO WHAT IT IS SUPPOSED TO DO – EVEN IF IT’S STILL IN EARLY TRAINING. THE DOGS COMPLETELY FEED OFF OF THE HANDLER’S LEVEL OF TRUST AND CONFIDENCE. I KNOW THIS IS HARD TO DO WHEN MANY OF US SUFFER FROM ANXIETY, BUT THE FAKE IT TIL YOU MAKE IT TRULY MAKES A DIFFERENCE.

Depression, Fibromyalgia, Military, Mobility, PTSD, San Antonio, Texas, Veteran, Wounded Warrior

Sonya and Princess

From trainer, Beverly, who is working with Wounded Warrior, Sonya, who suffers from PTSD, Fibromyalgia, Depression, and stability issues. Her beautiful SDIT is Rottweiler, Princess. Beverly writes:

“We worked more on having Princess sit/down and stay, and heavily on the recall as she likes to be a bit “lazy” and not come when she is called, but just lays down and stays there. Princess did better this session and is really motivated with hot dogs! Her “Watch me” with Sonya is spot on, and she is getting pretty good at “leave it.” Princess has sit, down, stay, watch me, leave it, and heel down pat. Sonya says that Princess is now sleeping upstairs (previously she wouldn’t even go up the stairs), and Princess is very good at watching who and what is around, making Sonya feel safe and allowing her to relax a little more.

We will continue to work on the “Stay,” the “Recall” and engaging Princess with everything Sonya is doing. Next session will be in another location outside of home.”

SOMETIMES IT JUST TAKES A LITTLE LONGER FOR DOGS WHO HAVE BEEN PREVIOUSLY USED TO A VERY “NON-WORKING” ENVIRONMENT. BUT PRINCESS IS HIGHLY INTELLIGENT AND HAS THE MOST GENTLE TEMPERAMENT, SO IT WON’T BE LONG UNTIL SHE GETS INTO THE GROOVE!

 

Diabetes, El Paso, Medical Alert, PTSD, Texas

SDiT Osito

I met with Beto today and his very amazing SDiT Beto.  Today we focused on getting his baby’s vest ordered with patches and a few training items from Petsmart.  We got training treats and leash (retractable) and worked on sit/down/stay while at petsmart.    Osito, is used to being off leash and just walking around with dad.  I reminded Beto, that he had to keep him on the leash and work on training him with the Clicker, and both positive and treats.  Beto is also going to work with his wife on treats for medicine reminders.  (thinking a little peanut butter on a spoon – Osito’s favorite).  Beto is also going to start to keep a log to see when Osito begins to lick him, which he will begin checking his sugar levels to find out if he is high or low glucos.  Great idea…..

Thank you Petsmart @ Sunland Park (El Paso) for making sure we didnt need any help and were able to find the training treats ok.  Especially after a female customer tried telling me that blue buffalo was killing dogs, I kindly told her, that I was a service dog trainer, hence my shirt, and as my dog ate blue buffalo (Grain free) that it was fine.  So I appologized to Beto for the interruption, as he was not concerned.

Air Force, Military, PTSD, San Antonio, Texas, Veteran, Wounded Warrior

Joseph and Viva

Here is the PERFECT match – Joseph, a compassionate, gentle, courageous Wounded Warrior who I have been working with for about a month. He saw Viva, who was rescued, fostered, and trained by Cherry Jenkins of In Dog We Trust. The meet and greet went wonderfully, and there was an instant bond between them. Joseph has served 5 years in the Air Force and the last two deployments left him with severe PTSD. Viva has already made a huge difference in his life; he said that she sleeps close to him in the bed and he feels comforted by her when he wakes. He has been working on all the commands with her, most of which she knows well, and he is a lot more comfortable going out into public because of her. He even takes her to work now, where she acts perfectly!! We thank Joseph for his service and wish him and Viva all the very best for the future, and will continue training until she has passed the PAT! Joseph’s goals for the future (he is still active duty but undeployable) is to go to college and work in the field of forestry!