Category Archives: San Antonio

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

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.

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

Ken makes the world a better place.

Service Dog Express and our associate rescue, In Dog We Trust, would like to thank past client, Wounded Warrior Ken, for his INCREDIBLY kind donation of a truck full of dog food!! He just did this out of the kindness of his heart!! Needless to say, it was SO needed and we are forever grateful for this act of compassion. Ken is a very talented artist, and his best buddy is Service Dog, the magnificent Mozart!!!! Thank you again, Ken. You make the world a better place.

Agoraphobia, San Antonio, Self Training, Texas

So proud of Gilbert and his Service Dog, Solea

So, so proud of Gilbert and his Service Dog, Solea!!!! Just imagine – when Gilbert first contacted us, he couldn’t even leave the house. He lived a very lonely life. Then he found Solea, and with Solea by his side, he has found the strength and courage to do things he never imagined he’d do again!! And what a well-trained dog! Gilbert, the future is so bright for you!!!

Post by Gilbert Cumberledge.
Experience, Military, Navy, San Antonio, Texas, Veteran, Wounded Warrior

John, a Navy Veteran, and his Sancho

We received these adorable pictures from our longtime client and friend, John, a Navy Veteran, who suffers from the after-effects of strokes and a heart attack, and his “partner in crime”, SD Sancho. John’s caregiver, Mary wrote:

“Hello Laurie,

We had to send you these. We gave Sancho treats and he earned them! If Sancho talked he would have asked for the treats. I laughed then I saw how Sancho waited with incredible patience until he got a treat. I could not get a picture before these and he had his nose to the treats, but he restrained himself! John could not be more proud of Sancho being Sancho. John laughed too, and then showed how much he loved Sancho by rewarding him for asking for the treats. This made John’s day!

Love ya – John, Mary, Michele, SD Sancho, SD Snowball, and Kathy”

It’s wonderful to hear that John was happy – he has been through so much – but he never lets his disability keep him from keeping up with training his SD, Chesapeake Bay Retriever 8 year-old Sancho. They have a bond that is truly inexplicable.

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

Lauren and SDiT Decker

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Cherry had a wonderful training session with Lauren, who suffers from Dysautonomia/Postural Orthostatic Tachycardia Syndrome (POTS), and her SDIT, Decker. She writes:

“Lauren and I had a great training session today. We talked about the importance of having her “dog training voice” and not just the “mommy who loves Decker” voice. J I like to give examples, so I asked her how she would speak if Decker was walking towards something that would hurt him? She agreed her voice would be much firmer, and that’s the voice she needs with Decker who needs positive direction.

Their heeling, sits, and stays are doing very well as well. We also worked on stair climbing. Decker likes to go ahead of Lauren on the stairs, which can be dangerous for Lauren, so I taught her to get Decker into a firm SIT! before attempting the climb.   This snapped Decker out of his mission to go on ahead, and he walked nicely next to her up the stairs and down again. Lauren agreed it made a huge difference!

We started working on their three specific tasks today. One of them was to fetch Lauren’s medications. We needed to start with an empty bottle; this was just for Decker to get the idea of bringing the meds to her but we didn’t want any risk of the bottle being punctured and Decker ingesting any of them. I also told Lauren that you should never try teaching a dog to fetch push out meds from a cardboard container; it’s too dangerous because the cardboard will soften in the dog’s saliva and then the drugs inside can accidentally be swallowed.

Once we feel safe and are confident that Decker will just retrieve and not try to chew or play on the bottle, we can start adding small amounts of meds so that he can get used to the sound of the bottle.
Lauren is going to spend lots of time practicing; next time we are going to do some more in-public store work.

http://youtu.be/XaqDUFTQha4