Category Archives: San Antonio

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

Brooklyn and Starlette

From trainer Andrew, who is working with Brooklyn, a Wounded Warrior who suffers from PTSD, flashbacks, nightmares, anger and anxiety outbreaks. Andrew writes:

“I had another session with Brooklyn and his Service Dog in Training, Starlette. We went over what we had previously worked on: basic obedience and loose leash walking and controlled entry into a doorway. We also went over some new homework for them which consists of a food on the floor game to teach Starlette to begin discriminating food not given by her handler and food given by the handler. We worked on a find your spot game, and a restrained recall game so as to build drive and focus on her handler. We talked about finding ways to build toy drive and talked about what is and is not accept able to chase, and what particular dog behaviors that we could use as a reward in times of play so that Starlette could just be a dog.”

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

Joseph and Viva

An update from training with Wounded Warrior, Joseph, and his SDIT, Viva, who he adopted from In Dog We Trust, rescued by Ms. Cherry Jenkins. Joseph has been in the Air Force for 5 years, but due to several very difficult deployments, has decided to Med-Board out while still serving due to extreme PTSD and shoulder and back injuries. Joseph and Viva have an extremely close bond, and every time Joseph gets nervous (i.e. the minute he steps out his front door), he spends completely focused time on Viva to help calm him and reorient him. Viva also wakes Joseph from his night terrors, which happen approximately 4 times per night during the 4 hours of sleep he gets! This last session, Joseph begrudgingly but with a smile, let me take Viva and him to Petsmart – our first time. Joseph is very hyper-vigilant in parking lots, and I noticed him looking cautiously all around him even walking to his truck, which was parked a good walk away. BUT, Viva already has the front, back, and side covers down naturally, and she is, by nature of her breed, very alert, so I kept explaining to Joseph that he can let down his guard a little – Viva’s on the lookout for him – which she was, everywhere she went. It was very easy to see this behavior in both of them both outside of and inside the store.

Joseph and Viva have the “wait” command down perfectly, so Viva will not enter or exit a building until Joseph says it is ok! Joseph took a deep breath, spent some time talking to and hugging Viva, and they did absolutely perfect controlled loads and unloads into the vehicle, and finally into Petsmart. We got a cart, and the place was quite crowded, which is good for training. We had a long list of things for Joseph to get, so we took our time going up and down aisles with Viva in a perfect heel at all times. Her head would constantly turn inward to do a natural “watch me” with Joseph to ‘check in’, then her head would turn while staying in a heel to keep an eye out on the surroundings. It was very obvious that Viva is extremely in tune with Joseph’s anxiety (he was beet red and sweating a bit during our time there, but was such a trooper and kept on going!) We got all the items we needed, and when Joseph started to feel overwhelmed, he got down and played with Viva.

Next, I asked him if he was ready to do just ONE meet and greet. He took a deep breath, and said that he had gotten this far, why not! I reminded him how amazingly well he was doing – this was literally his first time in a store for more than 5 minutes since the return from his last deployment (his neighbors do his grocery shopping for him – I told him he needs to eat more because he’s losing weight and his fridge is empty!) So, we approached a kind family with adults and children, explained that this was a SDIT, and that they had to ask Joseph first before petting Viva. Joseph did so well – and said of course they could – even giving them treats to give Viva while she stayed in a sit. He was beaming after that. He then wanted to go and do another one with a single adult and he did it all by himself!

Joseph is also very alarmed by unexpected loud noises, so I told him before each exercise that i was going to create a loud distraction behind him by throwing something non-breakable close by as he walked away, and I wanted him to continue walking and watch Viva’s reaction. We did this several times, and each time, Joseph jumped a tiny bit, but watched as Viva merely looked back at the noise and then went back into a heel. I explained to Joseph that that is exactly what she and he needed to do – Viva WILL alert if there is something dangerous approaching (which there has not been yet), but Joseph can TRUST that Viva will “have his back”. Viva is very picky about her toys, so there’s a picture of a stuffed lamb Joseph pretended was a little doggie with Viva. Even after checkout and along, two hour session, we got back to the truck, at night, and Joseph was so proud of himself and Viva although he would never admit it, and I told him how proud I was of him. Then he turned around and said, “Can we go back in? I want to get one more thing!” That was AWESOME! We went back, got the item, and Joseph had his head held high. WHAT A TRIUMPH!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Anxiety, Army, Depression, Military, Mobility, Pain Management, Panic Attack, PTSD, San Antonio, TBI, Texas, Veteran, Wounded Warrior

Kimberly and Kimmy

GREAT news from Wounded Warrior, dear Kimberly, who met the new love of her life, SDIT, Kimmy! Kimberly and Kimmy met at Laurel Ridge, and the bond was INSTANT! Kimberly, as intelligent and detail-oriented as she is, already had the training manual memorized. Kimmy was beautifully behaved, and started covering for Kimberly the minute they met, as poor Kimberly was shaking with nerves and excitement from this new part of her life! Kimmy heeled perfectly with Kimberly at the hospital as we walked the halls and I showed her how to use the collar properly, would sit, down, stay, and make incredible eye contact. Even the Medical Director at that Laurel Ridge unit popped her head in to see how wonderful everything was going – and she plans on integrating more Service Dogs into other patient’s treatments! Kimberly was given food, bowls, a leash, two collars, and all medical records for Kimmy. You could just see how much even having the presence of Kimmy on the Wounded Warrior ward brightened up everyone there – and the staff was amazing!

Kimberly and I talked regularly after we spent several hours together going over the basics, and have continued to talk almost every day since then. We had developed a trusting bond for several weeks before this day, and I knew a Service Dog would be perfect for Kimberly’s life at this point. The doctors allowed Kimmy to stay with Kimberly the last days she was there, and she had her own room, where they would snuggle and cuddle and were literally inseparable. Kimmy would let Kimberly know when she needed to go potty, and Kimberly enjoyed taking walks on the grounds of Laurel Ridge with Kimmy. Kimberly would let people pet Kimmy ONLY if they asked politely if they could pet her Service Dog, and if Kimberly felt comfortable with the person – and Kimmy would sit on command and allow the petting and treats.

I called the airline prior to Kimberly’s departure back home to Georgia to ensure that she would have no problems boarding with Kimmy at her 6 am flight! She did say that going through the screening was a hassle, because Kimberly is in a full-leg moveable brace and it was hard to manage everything – but she did say that many people offered her help, and for that, she was very grateful. She did remember to give Kimmy her Benadryl 45 minutes prior to the flight, and Kimmy was excellent – just a little anxious on touch-down. But she never barked or did anything inappropriate! Kimberly has worked with dogs all her life, so she and will continue to be an excellent handler.

Since Kimberly has arrived home and back to civilian life after 29 days at Laurel Ridge, she has said it’s been a bit of a difficult transition – but we both agreed she should take things slow and it will continue to get easier for her. Kimberly’s fiance is currently deployed in Iraq, but feels so much better knowing Kimmy is there to comfort her! One pleasant surprise – Kimberly has a cat named “Nubbins” (due to the fact that she has a nub for a tail) – and SDIT Kimmy and Nubbins are already best friends!! I am SO proud of Kimberly – she made her first trip out alone with Kimmy to the drugstore to get her medications – and it took a lot longer than expected due to the transferring process – but Kimberly said that having Kimmy there made a world of difference. Baby steps! Kimberly still wants to remain active duty – she loves being a soldier – and her command welcomed both she and Kimmy back onto base with open arms and commented continuously on how well-behaved Kimmy was! They are completely supportive of Kimmy being with Kimberly at work once she is settled back in – and for this, I am so grateful.

Kimberly and I will continuously train via video, Skype, email, and phone as they venture out more and more – but I am SO proud of the two of them!!!!!

San Antonio, Texas

Aimee and Sammie

Great news! Our client, Aimee, at the San Antonio State Hospital and her team of doctors, caseworkers, and nurses are doing a wonderful job with our client’s new SDIT, Sammie!! Our client had many months of practice taking care of a dog when her extremely forward-thinking doctor thought the idea of a Service Dog – the first on campus in the hospital’s over 100-year history – would be therapeutic and a wonderful idea for those patients who will be eventually leaving the hospital to live on their own! Aimee and Sammie bonded SO well, and Aimee just loved all the kisses Sammie kept giving Aimee! Aimee is very intelligent, and also had read and memorized the training manual sent to her and her team far ahead of time. Aimee knew how to do hand and verbal signals for sit, down, and heeled perfectly with Sammie. She even went out with one of her caseworkers and bought Sammie a delightful pink dress and bow for her hair – Sammie looked stunning! They are learning about each other daily and learning each other’s routines – and once this two week bonding period is done, I will start formal training with Aimee. In the meantime, Aimee’s doctor said they are very happy!!!!

ADA Rights, Equipment, Experience, General, Military, Mobility, San Antonio, Texas

Tony and his incredible Service Dog, Lucy

I had to share this beautiful photo of our dear, dear client and former trainer, Tony and his incredible Service Dog, Lucy. Tony will be moving soon and we will miss him. He has done so much for SDE and has been a model example of the perfect Service Dog handler I can imagine. He is struggling with many health issues, but Lucy is alerting more and more. Tony’s beautiful daughter sent this picture.

Agoraphobia, Anxiety, Depression, Panic Attack, San Antonio, Texas

Compassionate Gilbert and Self Trained SD Solea

An update from kind, compassionate Gilbert who self-trained SD Solea for his agoraphobia. When we first met, Gilbert would not even leave his house. Solea has changed his life. Gilbert’s diagnoses are Panic Disorder, Agoraphobia, Depression, Extreme Anxiety.

“Hi Laurie, it’s been a long time since i have sent an update. Since last sharing with you, Solea and I have had to endure some tough times with the loss of my uncle and cousin in two brutal murders. We attended the viewing services together. Our bond has grown even stronger since the last time and I only take anxiety medication if I’m going to be out of the house longer than 30 minutes at a time. We have managed over and over again on doing small outings such as a Family Dollar or a corner store. We went recently to a Subway together and were questioned if Solea was a Service Dog. I replied yes and educated an employee who was very interested to learn more. We also have been to the ER together due to dehydration from the stomach flu. We have been to Tractor Supply back to back recently together with no anxiety medicine! We also went to the movie theater recently – our second time there together and my second time in almost 4 years!”

GILBERT – I AM SO, SO VERY SORRY FOR THE HORRIFIC LOSS OF YOUR UNCLE AND COUSIN. I CAN’T IMAGINE HOW DIFFICULT THAT MUST HAVE BEEN FOR YOU. BUT I AM SO PROUD OF THE CONTINUAL PROGRESS YOU ARE MAKING WITH SOLEA – STEP BY STEP GETTING BACK TO A NORMAL LIFE YOU SO DESERVE!!

Cerebral Palsy, Medical Alert, Mobility, San Antonio, Texas

Travis and the AMAZING SDIT Teddy

From tireless trainer Beverly, who is working with 17 year-old Travis, who has CP and is confined to a wheelchair and cannot speak. He is AMAZING with SDIT Teddy!!!

“Worked with Travis (using the “voice commands” from his iPad) and Teddy on “stay” and “place” (for use at restaurants or other public locations when he needs to go to a specific spot.) Mother Meridan says that Teddy is doing fantastic waiting to get in and out of the van, heeling in public, going to Travis’s school, and attending hospital visits! The family is doing a fabulous job at training Teddy and Travis and Teddy are both amazingly intelligent. We reviewed what Teddy will need to know to pass the Public Access Test with Meridian and Travis.

The family will be on vacation for the next 2 weeks and will return to training once they come back. Teddy will be going with them and even has a “dog house” in their hotel room! We will discuss how it went and any issues that need to be addressed at that time.”

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

Wounded Warrior DJ and Tabitha

From trainer Beverly – she’s been hard at work!! A session with Wounded Warrior DJ, who suffers from PTSD, and his SDIT, Tabitha.

“We met at HEB. and had our first public session there to find treats for Tabitha. She did VERY well. She responded to “leave it” if she was getting too interested in others. She laid down at one point while we were looking at treats and DJ was “amazed” at her “non-reaction” to the people who were going by at that time!

Tabitha is proficient at Sit, Down, Stay (short 1-2 mins) Heel position (Walk, return, at stop), Watch Me, Wait, Leave it, Controlled entry (car, building, inside doors), Controlled Exit (car, building, inside door) and Walking in a Public Location. DJ has been doing great work with Tabitha.

We then went across the street to Lowes and practiced walking beside the shopping cart, and practiced remaining seated when being petted. Tabitha did VERY well on all of these new tasks.

DJ will continue to work with her and get her out more. He has her vest ordered and she should have that by next session and will be able to start taking her out all the time now that he is past the “first time” jitters!”

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

Meet and Greet – Robert and Crash

From trainer Beverly and her son, Andrew, also a trainer, who had the first meeting with Wounded Warrior, SMSgt Robert, who suffers from PTSD.

“We met in Selma for the initial meet and greet with Robert and Crash and Andrew reviewed what Crash had been learning previously – sit, down, watch me, heel, leave it, and short stay. We discussed what he had been eating, his routines and any habits that may require more work. Robert and Crash hit it off right away, and Robert decided he wanted to pick Crash up on Saturday (giving him time to get things for the Temporary Living Facility (TLF)  he is staying in.)

On Saturday afternoon, we met in Kingsbury, and Andrew and Bob took Crash to D&D feed to get food, and show Bob what they had been working on in public. The meeting went well and follow up phone calls have shown a few new things to work on (nothing totally unexpected for a major change) – but everyone is adjusting to their new life together. We will be scheduling a training session soon, since Bob is going to be having surgery and we need to make certain that Crash adjusts to the limitations ASAP.”