Category Archives: Texas

Anxiety, Mobility, San Antonio, Texas

CONGRATULATIONS TO NANCY AND STELLA

CONGRATULATIONS TO NANCY AND STELLA FOR PASSING THEIR PUBLIC ACCESS TEST!!!

From our beloved trainer, Cherry Jenkins:

“What a great day today for Nancy and Stunning Stella – they passed their Public Access Test!

Nancy, who suffers with mobility issues, vertigo, and the resulting anxiety. Nancy has been dedicated to training Stella consistently, and has kept up with her homework between sessions, which really shone through during the test!

Stella is not only stunning, but very well-behaved and well-trained. She did a perfect “down” and “stay” even when a cart with a lady and children came up unexpectedly behind her. Her drop-leash heel was beautiful as seen here in the picture, and she walked perfectly next to Nancy. Stella also kept her position under the restaurant table and was neatly out of the way, where she stayed quietly the whole time.

Stella’s three tasks are an intense “watch me”, which keeps Stella focused on Nancy and her need for complete focus to avoid any mobility mishaps, especially when people want to pet her, “cover”, which gives Nancy a sense of security and balance, and “snuggle” . Nancy is calmed by Stella and feels so much better when she can wrap her arms around her and relax.

Stella and Nancy and trained and worked so very hard, and the results speak for themselves. Nancy was thrilled that they passed and they are now planning a vacation; Nancy, her husband and her now Service Dog Stella! They deserve every bit of it! And oh how much more Nancy will be able to focus on relaxing!!

Anxiety, Army, Equipment, Military, Mobility, PTSD, San Antonio, Texas, Veteran, Wounded Warrior

Vietnam Era Veteran Denise and Sandy

From our trainer, Brenda, who is working with Wounded Warrior, Denise. Denise is a Vietnam Era Veteran with PTSD due to Military Sexual Trauma (MST) while on active duty. Her PTSD was so strong that she has been a Mental Health patient for almost 25 years. This is devastating, as we all knew that those who fought in Vietnam rarely received the treatment they so desperately needed. Denise also got hurt in basic training, which progressed over the years and led to her being in a wheelchair. She can walk and stand for short periods, but not much more. Her SDIT, Sandy, is already very well-trained in obedience – a remarkable and admirable feat for someone who has been through all that Denise has had to endure.

Brenda, also in a wheelchair, had two sessions with Denise and Sandy. She writes:

“At our first session, I went through the initial assessment of Denise’s needs and Sandy’s behavior. We went over all indoor Public Access Test, such as “sit”, “stay”, “down”, “watch me”, etc. I also had Denise show me what she had worked on with Sandy most recently. She “comes” and “sit/stays” extremely well. Sandy is very motivated by treats as well as praise, and caught on quickly to “down.” She will be easy to work with!

At our second session, we went outside to finish going through the outdoor Public Access Commands. Sandy heels well next to the wheelchair, but just needs a bit of refinement. Sandy has a perfectly controlled “load” and “unload” into a vehicle, and maintains very good focus on Denise, ignoring most distractions. However, Denise said that Sandy is very protective of her when other dogs approach, but Denise can get her calm again quite easily. I worked on outside “downs” with her. Denise is going to work on “sit-stay-come” with increasing distances. She is going to start using a cane at times, and I told her I will train Sandy to adjust to this so that Denise doesn’t hurt her back.”

Anxiety, Austin, PTSD, San Antonio, Texas

Emmett and SD Daphne

From our delightful client, Emmett, who has SD Daphne! Emmett suffers from PTSD and anxiety. Emmett is so completely in love with Daphne, a pit bull originally saved by Cherry Jenkins and her rescue, In Dog We Trust, from a puppy mill. Daphne is equally in love with Emmett! They make a WONDERFUL pair – and Daphne always knows when Emmett is anxious and immediately responds with comfort.

“Hello Laurie! Just wanted to send you a quick update. Classes started Monday here on campus, and Daphne has been going to all of mine with me. She curls up at my feet under the table if space permits or to the side of my desk. She responds very well to hand signals (i.e. Sit (fist), down (two finger taps on floor), under/in (1 snap and point in any direction)). She is getting better and better at walking in a heel without much direction. She is fully switched over to grain-free food, so she’s not “passing gas” so much. All in all, it’s going great! I will start teaching children as part of my education, and will be bringing Daphne!”

Army, Cancer, Experience, Military, San Antonio, Texas, Veteran, Wounded Warrior

Wayne Kyle, Bradley Cooper and Letty

Bradley Cooper and Letty

Our beloved trainer, Letty, who is undergoing treatment for breast cancer, had a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity the other day while she was at San Antonio Military Medical Center!! Bradley Cooper, star of the new movie coming out, “American Sniper”, came to pay a visit to the Wounded Warriors at SAMMC. He was accompanied by the actual sniper, Chris Kyle’s, father, Wayne Kyle on January 14th. Letty, who was having a rough day at the hospital, heard that Bradley was there, and they found him! Letty got to talk to Bradley and Wayne intimately – the movie addresses Post Traumatic Stress Disorder in depth – and Letty talked to them about Service Dog Express and how we train Service Dogs for Wounded Warriors with PTSD – and they gave her big hugs and so many thanks!

Wayne Kyle and Letty
San Antonio, Texas

Amanda and Diesel

From our trainer, Andrew, who is working with Amanda and her SDIT, Diesel.

“We conducted this session at D&D Farm Supply in Seguin. During this session, we worked on Diesel’s focus on Amanda and away from other distractions, and on Amanda‘s handling skills. We worked on Diesel’s ability to “stay” in the commanded position, and conducting “watch me” on Amanda while walking through a crowded environment. Diesel did well for the first 20 minutes, but then began to get off track. So, I took Diesel and built up his focus a bit using techniques that allow him to engage with his environment while simultaneously teaching him to follow along and focus more on his handler. This seemed to help considerably, and the rest of the session went very well. I brought my trained dog Penelope along with me, and she really helps dogs to learn.

Postural Orthostatic Tachycardia Syndrome (POTS), San Antonio, Texas

It shows when clients do the homework

From our trainer, Cherry, who is working with 19 year-old Lauren, who suffers from Dysautonomia/Postural Orthostatic Tachycardia Syndrome.

“When clients do their homework, it really shows; and Lauren and Goldendoodle Decker showed off today how far they have come!

Taking Decker everywhere Lauren needs to go is very important to Lauren, so public behavior has been high on our list as it is with every dog seeking its Public Access Test

Decker was originally scared of walking past refrigerators/freezers in stores because of the noise they made, and the swishing employees double doors at the supermarket. I explained to Lauren that as she approached these places, I noticed she would look down at Decker expecting him to be afraid, so he fed on her nervousness and became afraid.

So, I taught her how to walk confidently past these obstacles and not respond to Decker; just keep walking as if nothing is wrong. Decker responded beautifully and walked past all the things he’s been afraid of before. I explained how your expectations of a dog’s fear can in fact create it.

I told Lauren how proud I am of her that she has listened to everything she has been taught, not only about training but about dog psychology and how dogs think. Understanding how a dog’s mind works can help one to use them to be the best they can be.

Decker lays on Lauren’s back on command, as the deep pressure helps with her pain, fetches her medications, and watches Lauren on command; the three tasks they have mastered beautifully.

There is nothing so beautiful as a dog trainer like myself seeing such a connection and results with determination and practice.

Update: They did it! What a great team! Lauren and Decker passed their PAT with flying colors!

This team have come a long way in such a short space of time. Decker was originally nervous of large doorways and buzzing machines and even TV’s blaring loudly in the stores, but with the right training, he now passes them all without a single reaction!

Load, unload, walking calmly around traffic, sit, stay, wait, leave it, heel, polite with strangers and ignoring loud noises – he did them all like he’d been doing it forever!

This is mainly because of Decker’s 19 year-old handler, Lauren, who wanted her dog to be her Service Dog so badly that she put 100% into her homework and practiced hard. The result is a very well-trained and well-behaved dog!

Lauren’s mom Shari has been a huge support throughout so I insisted she got in on the picture!

I will still be a source of support and info for Lauren if she needs me, which after today’s performance I doubt will be very often!

Congratulations Lauren and Decker!!

 

Experience, San Antonio, Texas

Letty’s Message

From our wonderful friend and SDE trainer, who went through a double mastectomy and will soon be starting chemotherapy:

“I have a request for all of my friends. I am going to make germ masks/chemo masks/surgical masks for myself and those around me. They will be washable and I’ll also be giving them to my new chemo friends at SAMMC. SO….This is what I’m looking for: I need about 1/4 of a yard of cotton fabric from where ever you are. Any color, style, but try to keep it G rated. Text me for my address, if you don’t already have it. If you are overseas, try to get local themed fabric. Let’s see if I can do this. I’d love to give back and help those fighting cancer alongside of me. DON’T JUST LIKE MY STATUS, HELP ME TO HELP OTHERS!!!

Letty‘s text number is 210-872-1079. This is for orders ONLY. You can also contact her on her FB page, Letty Gradillas- Pugh.

Just proof of her strength, she posted this on her FB site:
“I lovingly forgive and release all of the past. I choose to fill my world with joy. I love and approve of myself.
~Louise Hay”

Experience, Military, Panic Attack, Psychiatric, PTSD, San Antonio, Texas, Veteran, Wounded Warrior

Prayers to Daniel

Well, friends, the unthinkable has happened again to our dear, wonderful, amazing, courageous, loving, and fragile Wounded Warrior, Daniel. I don’t know if you remember, but his beloved SD, Ivan, a beautiful pitbull who was trained to perfection and enabled Daniel to live a somewhat normal life again, had to be euthanized at less than 3 years old due to a lethal heart murmur and a 32% enlarged heart. Ivan was showing signs of labored breathing, white gums, coughing, and lethargy, and Daniel finally made the agonizing decision when our friends at St. Francis of Assisi told Daniel if they believed Ivan was suffering. It was a grueling experience.

Well, Daniel was understandably devastated by losing his Battle Buddy – especially at such a young age (in fact, I had just recently seen them and Ivan seemed so happy). Daniel became housebound with grief for awhile, but managed to pull himself up by his bootstraps and start the SD training again – this time, with Ivan’s brother, Stubby. Stubby was 3. Stubby always developed a cough during the winter, but Daniel attributed it to allergies, since Stubby never exhibited other symptoms. Little did Daniel know – Stubby had inherited the same genetic mutation for cardiomegaly as his littermate, Ivan.

They had only had one training session when Daniel started noticing the cough becoming worse. Then, two mornings ago, Stubby threw up blood and his gums were white. The wonderful Dr. Bauml at St. Francis agreed to see Stubby on his lunchbreak – and the news was bad – very bad. Ultrasounds and x-rays revealed that Stubby’s heart was 82% larger than it should have been. I completely encompassed his chest cavity, compressing his lungs and making it almost impossible to breath.

We all spoke, and Daniel, in shock, finally understood the severity of the condition and the amount of suffering Stubby was experiencing. Dr. Bauml even stayed after hours to consult with a veterinary cardiologist to see if there was anything that could be done.

Last night, at approximately 8:30 pm, Stubby’s throat became so swollen, he was almost lifeless. Daniel took him to the ER, and made the grueling but humane decision once again to put Stubby to rest.

I’m sure many of you cannot even fathom losing two Service Dogs within 6 months. But I knew Daniel, and those dogs had all the love they could ever have wanted during their time on earth.

Please, please say prayers for Daniel’s healing. He will surely need it. For more on causes and signs of cardiomegaly in your dog, please read the post above this one. And not that this is ANY fault of Daniel’s – but both Ivan and Stubby were purchased by a roadside seller. While this is not always a recipe for failure, please be wary of these people. Not only is it illegal (but the police don’t care), there is usually a great deal of inbreeding involved with these home-bred dogs. Inbreeding most usually causes genetic abnormalities in dogs.

If you wish to personally express your condolences to Daniel, his FB page is Daniel Robert Stroud. Also, I am personally asking if anyone might consider sending the family any amount of money to help with the incredible expenses they have spent trying to save their dogs.

Rest in eternal peace, Stubby. Go and run with your brother, Ivan

Experience, Texas

Dedicated to my dear, dear friend, Inuko

This is dedicated to my dear, dear friend, Inuko. Yes, she is a SDE client, and yes, she has two amazing SDs named Gadget and Orianna – but she is more than that. Knowing her – and she is only 19 years old – has impacted the way I think about life and cancer and sickness and death. The spirit of the man who is in the speech below, who died the other day, reminds me of Inuko’s spirit. Cancer, no matter how bad it has become, does not define her life. She defines her life – and that is living each day to the fullest, not dwelling on the past or worrying about the future – but LIVING – and being grateful for every wonderful thing she has in her life. We love you, Inuko.

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

Wounded Warrior, Mark, and SDIT, Pongo

A truly beautiful update from our trainer, Pat, who is working with Wounded Warrior, Mark, and his SDIT, Pongo!

“I had lesson #5 with Mark and Pongo today, and I want to say how thrilling it is to see this man push his personal limits to go out in public with his SDIT Pongo!! Mark is 100% disabled and suffers from PTSD and other serious conditions stemming from his military service during the late Vietnam era. Today was our first day working in a truly public setting (besides public parks), and it was Mark’s desire to go to the post office because he felt more secure there. So in the post office, we worked on sit/stay, down/stay, and – way more challenging for Mark – dealing with the public. We were in there for about 15 minutes, and Pongo was doing great, but I felt Mark was about to have a melt-down; so we went outside for a breather. Across the street was a hardware store that I “needed” to step into for something quickly, and gave Mark the option of tagging along or waiting outside. He chose to go with me, so in and out they followed while I ran my errand! Then, I suggested we go to a nearby feed store to look at dog food options for Pongo, and Mark agreed to that. There, we did 6″+ off-lead stays, recalls, and off-lead heeling. Literally “off” lead!! Mark still doesn’t quite realize how well he is doing with Pongo. We really pushed the envelope today for both of them, and I’m pretty sure it’s going to take Mark a couple days for it all to sink in. They did so well I treated them to lunch at DQ, and there, Pongo quite successfully laid under the table for over a half hour, and left dropped food alone on command!

Perhaps more impactful for Mark (I hope) was he was able to observe how I handled public inquiries about him and his dog. I have been coaching him about that since day one, knowing his challenge about being in public. He said he was more comfortable with Pongo with him, so I’m hoping I am giving him the tools he needs to cope. He is a lovely man, and I’m praying that Pongo gives him comfort and freedom he has been missing for many years.