Category Archives: PTSD

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

Wounded Warriors Paul and Dawn with SDiT Skye

A wonderful update from our outstanding trainer and owner of In Dog We Trust rescue, Cherry Jenkins. Cherry is working with Wounded Warriors Paul and Dawn, who are married and both suffer from PTSD. Dawn also suffers from epilepsy. Cherry writes:

“I met Paul, Dawn, and gorgeous Skye – their Italian Mastiff – for our first training session.

Paul and his wife Dawn had told me they had done some training with Skye, but I was blown away by how much they had done! It was almost as if we were doing a practice PAT at our first session! Skye walks perfectly off-leash next to Paul as seen here in the photo, and “sits” and “stays” beautifully. Her heeling is perfect.

Both Dawn and Paul are retired military and both have the need of Skye, so Skye will be doing “double duty”. It takes a very special dog to be able to do this, and a very serious understanding by both members of the household that if the trainer agrees that the dog can take on such work, the owners must be very attentive to the dog’s behavior to make sure it is not overworked emotionally. Skye has bonded wonderfully to both Paul and Dawn, and will be outstanding working in this capacity.

We will be meeting next week to take the training to restaurants. This is one incredible SDIT and such dedicated owners who take their Service Dog training very seriously. It is an honor to train with them.

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

Wounded Warrior Jamie and SDiT Zulu

Laurie had the AMAZINGLY distinct pleasure of meeting and training with Wounded Warrior, Jamie, who suffers from a back injury and anxiety, and her MAGNIFICENT German Shepherd, ZULU!!!!

Laurie writes:

When I first opened the door, I was simply aghast at how strikingly beautiful this dog was. If I could handcraft a German Shepherd, it would look like Zulu! From the very beginning, Zulu was polite, responded to Jamie’s commands, made absolutely incredible eye contact, took treats gently, and already knew “sit”, “down”, “sit/stay”, “down/stay” (even when I disappeared out of sight), “heel”, “wait”, “leave it” with food, “load”, “unload” – just incredible. And Jamie herself – what an amazingly compassionate, gentle, kind, and brilliant person – who I felt like I had known for years!!!

I was astounded at how much training she had already done with Zulu. I asked her how she did it! She was so humble – and just smiled and shrugged her shoulders and said that she and her partner read the manual (an added star for her!), but had already done training with Zulu by themselves based upon their knowledge of dogs and what they had seen with the military dogs (using POSITIVE reinforcement only). Zulu, who is 18 months old, is playful yet extremely gentle with her little tiny Maltipoo brother, “Sarge”, and they get along famously. Zulu has that adorable quirk in German Shepherds with big tall ears where if you say something in high-pitched voice and tilt your head, she tilts her head along with you – then again, then again! It was adorable!! But truly, the eye contact was impeccable. I encouraged Jamie to use the “watch me” command as often as possible to reinforce this.

After I had done all these commands with Zulu on our first meeting, then Jamie demonstrated the ability to do exactly the same – except, of course, the stays were a bit more difficult because Zulu has an amazing bond with Jamie, and doesn’t like it when she disappears around the corner!! After the session, we went into the backyard, and Zulu amazed me AGAIN! Jamie can throw the ball, tell Zulu to “get it”, Zulu runs like wildfire, Jamie says “bring it”, then with “give it”, Zulu will either drop it right at her feet, or we worked on having Zulu gently put it in Jamie’s hands. Jamie will continue to work on this because with her severe back pain, it will be beneficial for Zulu to be able to retrieve items. We will continue to work on that with different household items.

At our second session, we met at Petsmart. Zulu performed perfect heels with the prong collar held upright in just the perfect direction and fit. I tried many different types of distractions walking behind Zulu and dropping items, and Zulu did not break her heel. We navigated through aisles using the words “left” and “right”. There weren’t many dogs there at the time, but the ones that were there, we asked if Zulu could meet, and whatever breed or size they were, Zulu did a loving, appropriate “sniffing” how-do-you-do, and all dogs reacted positively to her. We did several meet and greets, and Zulu had a bit of difficulty staying in the “sit” position because she wanted to approach the child or adult, so we will work on that. We did meet and talk with a Vietnam Veteran who was in a motorized wheelchair, and he just loved Zulu. We gave him treats to put in his hands, and it was a bit awkward for him because of his arthritis, but he was absolutely willing and excited and Zulu was gentle taking the treats, and then let the man pet her as we stood and talked with him for about 10 minutes. Zulu was patient, eventually just lying down while we finished our conversation. That is important for a Service Dog.

We then took a shopping cart, and safely tied Zulu’s leash to the cart giving her just the right amount of leash to heel alongside the cart, but not so much that she could go in front of the cart – which is extremely important. You always want the dog to be in a heel position next to any shopping cart so that it can still respond to commands such as sit, watch me, etc. Zulu adapted flawlessly, even when Jamie did maneuvers like backing up quickly and taking tight turns. Zulu repositioned her body easily to each change in direction.

Next, we will meet at Walmart at 6 pm when it is busy! And I forgot to mention – Zulu already naturally responds to Jamie when her anxiety levels are high or she is in pain by going to her and applying pressure or just snuggling to comfort her. These two will be ready to pass the PAT in no time!!

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!”

Anxiety, PTSD, San Antonio, Texas

Elizabeth and Zoe

Thank you so much to our trainer, Jackie, who helped me out by doing a training session in a public place for the first time with my client Elizabeth and her adorable SDIT, Zoe. Elizabeth and I had done extensive training for our first session after the meet and greet at Elizabeth’s place of work, and it went very well. Elizabeth suffers with PTSD and anxiety, and having Zoe with her is really helping – at home and at work. Her workplace is also extremely welcoming to Zoe! They were ready for their first outing at a Walmart, as Zoe has already been out with Elizabeth at Petsmart, and Jackie did the session for me. Thank you Jackie! She writes:

“Elizabeth, Zoe and I completed this training session, which was Zoe’s first public visit in a regular store. Elizabeth did a wonderful job redirecting Zoe from all of the distractions and people at Walmart. I worked with Elizabeth to help her recognize Zoe’s nonverbal signals to her, and to anticipate possible obstacles to Zoe’s success in public (ie: needing bathroom breaks, shorter sessions in public). After a short break, Elizabeth and Zoe practiced heeling in the Lawn and Garden section with an automatic “stop-sit” at the end of every aisle. Zoe caught on very quickly, and responded beautifully to Elizabeth’s verbal and nonverbal commands! They have a wonderful bond already!”

Anxiety, Depression, Military, Navy, PTSD, San Antonio, Texas, Veteran, Wounded Warrior

Esteban and Tango

From our trainer Andrew, who is working with Wounded Warrior Esteban, who suffers from PTSD, anxiety, and depression.

I had my first session with Esteban to find him the right dog to begin his Service Dog journey. He requested meeting SDIT Tango from our Assessed Dogs section, and they bonded extremely well right off the bat! Tango seemed to take to his new home and new “dad” almost right away! My mother, Service Dog Express trainer Beverly, trained Esteban’s roommate’s Service Dog Sassy for Wounded Warrior Jason, and these two amazing warriors seemed to become good friends immediately as well – and that is how Esteban decided he could benefit greatly from a Service Dog! Our first session simply consisted of going over basic obedience and taking baby steps towards going for walks by teaching “wait” and patience at the door. It will not take Tango and Esteban long to learn what they needs to, as Tango is very intelligent and Esteban is very dedicated. They are going to be a great team!

At our second session, we began working on commands such as “watch me”, and correct heeling positions. We worked a little more on waiting at the door with patience before going for a walk – Tango gets very excited! But they are both beginning to understand the importance of patience before going out. We really emphasized the “mark” word during this session, and I explained the difference between “wait” and “stay”.

El Paso, PTSD, TBI, Texas

Ed and Edison

From our wonderful trainer, Terry, who lives in El Paso. He is working with handler Edward, who suffers from PTSD and TBI, and his SDIT, Edison!

Terry writes:

“Today, I conducted Service Dog Training covering these following fields; “Sit Command”, “Down Command”, “Controlled Load and Unload into and out of Vehicle”, and “Socialization” in crowded and non-crowded areas. Both handler Edward and his Service Dog in Training, Edison, performed very well in the all the areas mentioned! Edison seemed very poised and confident in all public areas visited. Edward has the proper verbal commands down very well, as well as having good leash control when working. These two are working hard, and it shows!”

Warmest regards

Terry

Agoraphobia, Austin, Depression, Experience, PTSD, San Antonio, Texas

Letter from Emmett and Daphne

A beautiful note written by one of our amazing clients, Emmett. We are SO proud of you, Emmett and Daphne!!!

My name is Emmett Luka and I have struggled with PTSD for the past 5 years. Currently I am a double major at a very competitive liberal arts university and my goal is to teach Spanish at the high school level. The past semester in particular was incredibly emotionally and psychologically taxing. At one point, I did not leave my room for 5 days due to the overwhelming anxiety and paranoia. I knew something had to change.

In November 2014 I was given the information for an agency called Service Dog Express. After speaking with the CEO and founder, Laurie Gawelko, I was able to arrange a meet and greet with one of the assessed dogs that was being fostered by Cherry Jenkins, with In Dogs We Trust. Meeting Daphne was one of the best moments of my life. I knew instantly that she was the partner I wanted and needed.

Over the past few months, Daphne and I have done extensive training. Some of it with trainers through the agency but a good majority of it on our own.

At first, Daphne had a few triggers of her own such as motorized sounds, small spaces, and large rod like objects. Now, Daphne can walk past the patrol buggies that roll around my university. She will willingly go into the Men’s restroom and stall with me, and does not shy away as much if someone has a broom or assistance cane.

She really is the best medicine. On the days that I cannot find my way around or home, she guides me there and sits with me until the feeling of disorientation has subsided.

She is very attuned to me and the reactions I have to triggers. Just the other day I was working a night shift and suddenly became very distressed. Daphne immediately hopped up next to me, set her head gently in my hands and did not move a muscle until I was calmed. That type of behavior is not one she was trained to do, it is simply her knowing me on an incredibly deep level and willingly offering the best she has.

Words cannot express how proud I am of her for all that she has accomplished. Nor can they express how thankful I am for all that she does for me. I am proud to be her handler and I am extremely honored that I was paired with such an exceptional partner.

People always say, we are the ones who rescue dogs from shelters, but I think they are the ones to rescue us.

Army, Military, Mobility, MST, PTSD, San Antonio, Texas, Veteran, Wounded Warrior

Denise and Sandy

From our wonderful trainer, Brenda, who is working with Denise. Denise is a Vietnam Era Veteran with PTSD due to MST while on active duty. She also got hurt in basic training, which over the years led to her being in a wheelchair. She can walk and stand for short periods, but not much more.

“Denise, her SDIT, Sandy and I spent the first half of the session with Denise showing me all the things they had been practicing since our last session. Sandy is now doing exceptional at “sit”, “down”, “sitting back up from down position”, and “watch me with verbal and hand commands and without treats”; “waiting” for her treat when she does get one; she is “heeling” perfectly either next to Denise or just in front of her wheelchair. Sandy is now much better when she sees a dog or cat – no longer barking, and Denise can get Sandy’s focus back easier. I gave her some suggestions to fine tune her training even more. Denise needs Sandy to be able to go on the bus with her, so to prepare for that, we practiced with my wheelchair-accessible van. I was inside, lowered the ramp so Sandy would know to “sit/stay” while it’s lowered and get used to the sound, and then Denise would give her the command to “load”. She caught on quickly, so we will go on the bus the next session.

At the next session, we worked on public and bus training. This was Sandy’s first time on a bus and in the store. Sandy waited patiently for the ramp to come down and wasn’t bothered by it! I entered/exited the bus, first backwards to help coax her while Denise told Sandy to unload. She was very nervous and unsure the first time, but did much better on the return trip. She laid down and was perfect on the ride! At HEB, Sandy and Denise entered perfectly. At first, Sandy was a little distracted by the people and smells, but by the time we left, she wasn’t paying much attention to anyone or the food. She mostly stayed where she was supposed to and will do better navigating as she learns “left and right”. Denise is starting to work on that with her.

I dropped something loudly while I was rolling behind them to create a distraction. Sandy glanced back to see what the noise was, but didn’t stop walking! She was very patient while Denise looked at things and waited in line. I was very impressed for Sandy’s first time in HEB and on the bus! She is quickly catching on to what is expected of her and I anticipate her being even better when we work on it again this weekend. They are such a pleasure to work with!

ADHD, Agoraphobia, Air Force, Anxiety, Army, Asperger's, Austin, Autism, Bipolar, Cerebral Palsy, Coast Guard, Conversion Disorder, Dallas-Fort Worth, Depression, Dysgraphia, Dyslexia, El Paso, Epilepsy, Experience, Fibromyalgia, Houston, Hypoglycemia, Lubbock, Marine, Medical Alert, Military, Mobility, Multiple Sclerosis, Muscular Dystrophy, Navy, Pain Management, Panic Attack, Postural Orthostatic Tachycardia Syndrome (POTS), Psychiatric, PTSD, Rio Grande Valley, San Antonio, Schizophrenia, Seizure, TBI, Texas, Tourette's Syndrome, Veteran, Waco, Wounded Warrior

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, PTSD, San Antonio, Texas

Kathy and Olla

From our trainer, Andrew, who had two sessions with Kathy, who suffers from PTSD and anxiety, and her SDIT, Olla:

During this session, Kathy expressed to me that Olla has been having focusing issues. So, for the first part of the session, we did warm up exercises to get Olla’s energy a little spent. Next, we worked on heeling, and our basic obedience. Then we worked on some passive attention; allowing Olla to look at other things and rewarding her for returning her focus to Kathy. We then worked on engagement and more behavior conditioning . We wrapped up our session practicing a lot of “leave it” and obedience, including “watch me”s.

At our next session, we worked on more complicated forms of the warm ups, and then I introduced them to the reorienting exercises. Then we had Olla rest in the park for a few minutes. After a short reprieve, we continued with heeling and focus sessions and then went back inside to practice “find your place” and then some basic obedience. I brought my dog Penelope as both of them get along famously. They got to play a little in the end as a reward for performing beautifully… Olla is progressing slowly but surely!