Category Archives: PTSD

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

Update from Ryan and Carl

An update from Wounded Warrior, Ryan, who was matched with SDIT, Carl! They went on a 3 day trip to a convention, and are staying at a nice hotel. Lots of time for bonding! We will do our first session in public at Bass Pro Shop when Ryan gets back. It’s a great place to expose Service Dogs to all kinds of distractions, especially the glass elevator. Ryan wrote:

“Carl loves the hotel! He just doesn’t like the elevator very much – but he is doing great so far! I hugged Carl on the elevator and reassured him that it was OK”.

I can’t wait to hear how the convention went – huge crowds for a Wounded Warrior with PTSD and TBI and a new SDIT – overwhelming, but hopefully having Carl there should help Ryan refocus and be more calm.

Cancer, Medical Alert, Panic Attack, PTSD, Self Training, Texas

Update from Inuko

From our dear, dear Inuko who is battling cancer. Luckily, her Service Dog Gadget loves her so very much. We are so indebted to her for continuing to share her battles with us – but she is never alone. We love you, Inuko and Gadget! Keep up the laughter!!!

“Last night was another bad night. I had another one of my infamous headaches and was curled up on the bed, exhausted… But Gadget never left my side. When I was frightened from the pain, I curled up around my girl and her breathing calmed me. Its strange, looking back at it… When did this puppy capture my heart so completely? When did she become such an intricate part of who I am? My day wouldn’t be complete without snuggles from my Gadget. She has helped me immensely. My PTSD is still bad, and I am still very sick, but I am surrounded by the ones that love me.

I am also attaching some pictures from our outing to Petco today. We were being goofballs, and Gadget sat there, wagging her tail and making us all laugh. Its so nice to laugh! So I thought I would share my laughter with my SDE family! I hope it helps your day get better. It sure helped me.

With all my love,
Rain (Inuko)

Anxiety, PTSD, San Antonio

Kathy and SDiT Olla

From our trainer, Andrew, who is working with Kathy, who suffers from PTSD and anxiety, and her SDIT, Olla.

Kathy and I met at the Lowe’s close by her house, and proceeded to work on practicing for the Public Access Test. We made it all the way through, but Olla has some focus and listening issues that still need to be addressed. So, we went over them and we practiced the focus exercises that I have given them. They scored about a 78% on the test. So, perhaps in a week or so at our next session, the team will pass! They have done a wonderful job so far!!

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

Wounded Warrior James and Sadie

From Wounded Warrior James, who is still active duty but suffers from PTSD and TBI – he was paired with Sadie! James writes:

Hi Laurie!

Sadie is such an awesome dog and companion! I take her with me everywhere and she relieves a lot of stress for me! She is doing great and plays all day with Colby when I get home! She is soooooo funny! Whenever I try to go to bed she beats me there and jumps into my spot and just looks at me like “where are you gonna sleep???”

SO HAPPY FOR YOU JAMES AND SADIE!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

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

Ryan and beautiful “Carl”

What a WONDERFUL meet and greet and adoption with Wounded Warrior, Ryan, and beautiful “Carl”, who has been so lovingly fostered for quite some time by Sandra. Sandra has been working with Carl on fine-tuning his commands (she can bring him to work because she works at Petco headquarters).

I first met Carl a few months ago – and could NOT believe this is the same dog! Carl was wonderful then, but when we all drove out to meet Carl’s new dad, Ryan, I was literally astounded at how much Carl had learned!! He could almost pass his Public Access Test now, he knew every command so well thanks to Sandra’s amazing training!

Ryan and Carl instantly fell in love! Ryan, a big, strong, tall man who suffers from PTSD and TBI had EVERYTHING ready for Carl – bought the perfect leash, vest, collar, tags, patches, and had read the manual through and through as was clearly evident as we went through basic commands and he caught on so quickly!! Ryan will be a perfect “battle buddy” for Ryan – one game Carl just loves is tug of war – and being a pit, Carl is strong! But Ryan is even stronger!! Ryan was smiling ear to ear after playing and getting to know Carl, giving Carl tons of love and pets. Carl took to Ryan right away.

Ryan manages a very large warehouse and has his own office, so Carl will be able to run around the warehouse or sit in the comfortable little nook Ryan already created for Carl. Ryan has a very strong knowledge of dogs, and it was evident by how quickly he was able to learn and mimic the commands I showed him – no evidence of TBI there!! They walked outside alone together, and Carl heeled perfectly.

Ryan gave a beautiful donation to Sandra for all her hard work – something he didn’t have to do – but he was so appreciative. Ryan is so much fun to talk to – he’s got a wonderful sense of humor and can’t wait to play with Carl and wrestle around – but only after the work day is done! Ryan also read the training manual so thoroughly, and with three children, he clearly grasped the concept of Carl being HIS dog – but 25% of the time, he can just be a family dog.

Ryan has a convention to drive to for three days, and there will be hundreds of people there – something that would ordinarily be overwhelming for Ryan. He now feels so much better knowing Carl will be by his side – and I explained that he needs to focus on Carl if his anxiety starts building too much. Ryan even called the Hyatt ahead of time to let them know Carl will be staying there overnight with him, and they welcomed Carl with open arms! This three days together will be a perfect bonding time for the two of them!

We will start formal training when Ryan returns!

BEST WISHES, CARL AND RYAN! THANK YOU SO MUCH FOR ALL YOU DID, SANDRA!!!!!!!!!!

Anxiety, New Mexico, Obsessive Compulsive Disorder (OCD), PTSD

Barbara and her beloved Beast

From our wonderful trainer in New Mexico, Michelle, who had her first session with Barbara, who suffers from Obsessive Compulsive Disorder and severe PTSD, and her SDIT, “Beast”.

Michelle writes:

I met with Barbara today for an assessment of “Beast”, who is a beautiful blue American Bully. Beast is a gorgeous, stout 1 year and 3 months old boy.

Commands: Beast had been taught his commands in the following languages: German, Russian, and English. It is outstanding. He tends to watch for Barbara when she walks away from him, will move to a “sit”, then lay back down upon her return. They have an amazing bond. Beast is definitely not in a hurry; he wanders the yard checking on the safety of his people and dog family.

Temperament: mellow, loving, gentle, and has been carefully raised around Barbara’s 4-month old son, her female Rottweiler, and her 4 year-old blonde American Bully.

Outings: Barbara’s family takes Beast everywhere they can. At church, he lays down on the floor and does not draw attention to himself, and interaction with the children is a treat only if mom says it is OK. He absolutely loves children. He is welcome at Walmart without his vest, and does spectacularly.

Medical: When Barbara has an episode of anxiety, all 69 lbs of this Beast sits on her chest immediately, making her relax and come out of her panic attack.

Confrontation: When out, Barbara gives commands when being approached by other dogs, causing Beast to submit and lay down. However, if her sister is in accompaniment, then he will back up and protect the younger of the daughters.

I know that Barbara is lucky to have Beast as her companion. He is the epitome of a perfect dog!!!! I know this team will be an asset to the world of Service Dogs and education that any breed, if trained well from a young age and with careful precision, can become a Service Dog.

Anxiety, Austin, Experience, PTSD, San Antonio, Texas

Update from beloved client, Emmett

A meaningful, short update from beloved client, Emmett, who suffers from severe PTSD and anxiety. He and his Service Dog, Daphne, have a bond that is truly unbelievable.

“Hey Laurie, just wanted to send you an update. Going to work and class has been difficult lately. I’ve been having some neurological issues and small seizures. Daphne hasn’t left my side though. Normally, she will get up and lay elsewhere when she gets hot, but after I seize up she lays with me until I want to move around again. She’s been a big support.”

Anxiety, PTSD, San Antonio, Texas

Elizabeth and Zoe

Laurie writes:

I had a WONDERFUL session with Elizabeth, who suffers from PTSD and anxiety, and her SDIT, Zoe!  Elizabeth already takes Zoe to work with her every day, and Zoe has a wonderful little “nesting” spot with blankets and chew toys and water and everything she needs so she is happy and calm – and never leaves Elizabeth’s side.  Elizabeth takes her out to the park area near her office where they take walks and potty breaks as often as needed, and they spend their lunch hour together walking or frolicking.  There are deer in the park, and Zoe just wants to PLAY with them!!!  The deer look at her like, “What the heck ARE you?”

Anyway, today we went to HEB.  It was crowded, but not too badly.  Zoe was perfect.  Elizabeth still needs to work on maintaining her confidence in Zoe’s amazing abilities – but that is something that comes with time.  I explained to Elizabeth that Zoe was doing exactly what she needed to do – avoiding distractions, smells, loud noises, doing perfect meet and greets, and that it was OK that Zoe often walks with her nose to the ground sniffing – she’s got quite a good nose on her!  We even practiced sit/stays and down/stays in the middle of semi-busy aisles – and Zoe was great.  I did the first few rounds, and Zoe stayed the length of the aisle – then as soon as I said “Come”, she scampered right to me and went into a sit.  When Elizabeth tried it, I know it was a bit frustrating for her, because Zoe is SO bonded to Elizabeth that it is more difficult to understand that if Elizabeth puts her in a sit/stay and walks away facing her, repeating the word “stay” with her hand up and maintaining eye contact, that Elizabeth is not “leaving” her.  But after a few intense practice sessions, Zoe started to understand that Elizabeth was just going a short distance, and she started to feel more comfortable with staying until Elizabeth told Zoe to “come”.

Even though this type of occurrence is not something that one would usually expect to happen in a public place, I explained to Elizabeth the reasoning behind the necessity of learning this behavior.  If, for some reason, Elizabeth were to drop the leash accidentally in any public place – especially a busy one – and Elizabeth walked away without realizing it, it would be very important for Zoe’s safety to have Elizabeth be able to immediately turn and tell Zoe to stay, for Zoe’s safety – especially at a distance.

I also reiterated that Elizabeth should only be carrying specialized training treats that are easily accessible to her when we are doing training or when she is out with Zoe.  Overall, Zoe and Elizabeth did a wonderful job.  We just need to work on Elizabeth’s confidence that Zoe is doing just fine!!

Anxiety, Military, MST, Psychiatric, PTSD, San Antonio, Texas, Veteran, Wounded Warrior

Vietnam Era Veteran and her SD

From our loving trainer, Brenda, who is working with Denise, who is a Vietnam Era Veteran with PTSD due to MST while on active duty, and her SDIT, Sandy.  She is currently in a wheelchair, and sometimes can walk with a cane.  Brenda writes:

At this session, Denise and Sandy nailed down all the basic commands! Sandy was a bit stubborn with learning “down” at first,  but was doing great by the end. We worked a lot on directions working with the wheelchair –right, left, back up, and turn around, so that Sandy knows where to go or be carefully situation when we go out in public for training.

At our next session, we met near the bus stop and took a bus to HEB. We walked around practicing Sandy’s ability to adjust to heeling in next to the wheelchair in all different directions. I am so impressed with how much Sandy has learned since our last session! Denise has been doing great work with her!  Sandy was very patient while Denise and I browsed around HEB, and caught on quickly not to sniff food or people. We went to Jack In the Box to restaurant train. Once we got Sandy under the table, she stayed under and laid down to take a nap while we ate. Sandy does not ever beg for food. When the bus was too tight of a squeeze for Denise to turn around in with the wheelchair on the way home, we discovered that the perfect way for them to board was Denise going in backward, and Sandy following her onto the bus!

Anxiety, Depression, Houston, PTSD, Texas

Lynsie and SDiT Casper

From our incredible trainer, Kendra, in Houston, who is training with Lynsie. Lynsie suffers with anxiety, depression, and PTSD.

Kendra writes:

Lynsie renamed Casper, a dog that Kendra had been fostering, to “Bruce”. We met outside of Target to get Bruce introduced to all sorts of distractions.

Both Lynsie and Bruce did very well! We worked on our “downs” and “sits” in the public arena, and also worked on “leave it” as people walked past us.

One couple stopped to talk to us about Bruce because he is a pitbull and gets a lot of attention. We had Bruce remain in a “sit” or “down” while the people were talking to us, which is an important part of the Public Access Test.

Lynsie will continue working on bringing Bruce to public locations (not inside the stores yet), and getting Bruce comfortable with people, noises and going different places until we can train again together.