Category Archives: San Antonio

Experience, San Antonio, Texas

Firefighters and SD Toby

Our trainer, Jackie, had a wonderful idea! Often, when there is an emergency at someone’s home, and they have a Service Dog, the SD isn’t quite sure how to react to EMS, fire engines, sirens, people breaking down doors, etc.. In addition, many of these first responders aren’t quite sure how to deal with a protective Service Dog. So Jackie went out and had a training session with a Fire Station here in San Antonio! She writes:

“Just wanted to let everyone know that the firefighters on 281 and Jones Maltsberger are absolutely awesome! Since a lot of Service Dogs don’t know how to react to first responders and vice-versa, I did a training session out there today. We had about 3 or 4 firefighters working with us. They suited up, moved the truck around, did lights, and did sirens. It was absolutely awesome! I would recommend working with them and any of your local first responders to do this type of training! I let them know they may see more of us doing training out there!!!!

Great job, Jackie!!!! And thank you for participating, client Lindsey and SD Toby!!!

Autism, San Antonio, Texas

Veronica and her son’s SDiT Shaggy

From our wonderful trainer, Beverli, who had a session with Veronica, who has a 7 year-old son with autism and is nonverbal. He also has no sense of danger, and on a couple of occasions he has wandered off. Their SDIT is Labrador/Ridgeback mix, “Shaggy”. Beverli writes:

“We had our session today at Walmart, working on fine-tuning all the fundamentals of Shaggy’s public manners and techniques. In addition to usual distractions public places provide, we also introduced grocery store scents and food scents at his level. Shaggy ignored them completely and stayed focused beautifully! He is growing more comfortable in new situations and places, and is able to “settle” much more quickly. Homework given for the next session was having Veronica and her son continue taking Shaggy to new places, and challenging his focus.”

Mobility, Pain Management, Postural Orthostatic Tachycardia Syndrome (POTS), San Antonio, Texas

Madison’s meet and greet

From our trainer, Brenda, who is working with Madison, who suffers from “POTS” (Postural Orthostatic Tachycardia Syndrome), bad migraines, and a nerve condition that makes her go randomly paralyzed. Since the day she woke up and couldn’t move, she has also suffered from PTSD and anxiety.

Brenda writes:

“I met Madison and her mom, Robin, for a meet and greet with some dogs. They met Suzy, Rocky, and Rufus. Madison spent quite a bit of time with Rufus who, after getting some energy out, calmed down very well and kept going to Madison and sitting by her. He knows the verbal and hand command “sit” and seemed to like the praise even more than the treats. I could touch him all over and even pull on his ears and tail and he was not bothered. They are going to discuss it with Madison’s father, but Rufus could be the one!”

Anxiety, Depression, PTSD, San Antonio, Texas

CONGRATS TO FRANK AND SD NICHOLS

From our brilliant trainer Pat, who performed the Public Access Test with Wounded Warrior Frank, and his now Service Dog, Springer Spaniel Mix, “Nichols”! CONGRATULATIONS TO FRANK AND NICHOLS!!! Frank suffers from anxiety, depression, and PTSD.

Pat writes:

“Frank, Nichols and I performed the Public Access Test at crowded HEB! CONTROLLED UNLOAD OUT OF VEHICLE was fine, but Nichols got a bit distracted when another dog was walked past. APPROACHING THE BUILDING was perfect, as was CONTROLLED ENTRY THROUGH A DOORWAY. HEELING THROUGH THE BUILDING was mostly perfect, but Nichols had a bit of a struggle readily adjusting to speed changes. SIX FOOT RECALL ON LEAD was brilliant, and SITS ON COMMAND was just fine. Nichols took a few prompts to “sit” with all the distractions, but he eventually got it down, with the same responses to DOWNS ON COMMAND. NOISE DISTRACTIONS were not a problem at all for Nichols, and he performed wonderfully in the restaurant. OFF LEAD work, DOG TAKEN BY ANOTHER PERSON, CONTROLLED EXIT, and CONTROLLED LOAD INTO VEHICLE were flawless. I encouraged Frank to praise Nichols a bit more when he did his commands well.”

WELL DONE, PAT AND TEAM!!!!

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

CONGRATS TO WOUNDED WARRIOR DONNY & MAX

CONGRATULATIONS TO WOUNDED WARRIOR DONNY, AND HIS NOW SERVICE DOG, BRILLIANT AND BEAUTIFUL SHARPEI-GREAT DANE MIX, “MAX”!!

Donny is an amazingly dedicated, confident dog handler who suffers from PTSD and TBI. He has done so much work with Max on his own, based upon his years of training his own personal dogs. From the first time I met them, I was already blown away by how much work he had done with Max. Donny followed all the training steps in the manual, and added his own training, which just enhanced Max’s already incredible abilities.

We took the Public Access Test at my favorite place to do them – the Bass Pro Shop. By now, I know just about every worker in the store – and they always greet each dog and handler with such compassion and kindness. They know to ask before petting, and all of them willingly participate in parts of the Public Access Test that require interactions with strangers.

We started from “unload”, then went to “controlled entry” (Max wasn’t even fazed by the rolling bars that let you in). We went all over the store, as I followed behind and let Donny know each command I had to see them do. Max scored an “Always” on every single part of the test. He adores children, and was gentle with each one that wanted to greet him as he stayed in a “sit” position. He was the same with male and female adults. I always add in some “extras” to the test, like showing Donny proper elevator entrance and exit with a Service Dog (Max loved the glass windows where he could see all the fish). We did fast heeling and slow heeling around corners and clothes racks, and when we did the “drop leash” command, Max stayed in a perfect heel far beyond what he was required to do! Donny and Max spend all their time together, so there is no doubt about how strong their bond is. Max loved the fish pond, and it was hilarious to see how he constantly cocked his head from side to side while watching the catfish swimming around! He didn’t attempt to jump in the pond, but I bet he would have loved to!

There were SO many people, including workers, who came up to us to express how beautiful Max was – and because he was so well-behaved, they asked for pointers for their own dogs! If the conversation went on a little bit too long, Max just laid down and rested. Max was SO intrigued by all the stuffed wild game they have there – Donny lives in an area where there are always deer in the front yard and even a small fox that visits – so Max would go right up to the huge stuffed deer and elk, sniff them, then look at Donny as if he was saying, “I don’t get it, dad – this LOOKS like a real animal, but it sure doesn’t smell like one!” Max’s face is so full of expression like that. Max didn’t really like the stuffed monkeys, because they are a bit scary looking, so when we went up to them, he did a back “cover” behind Donny as if he was saying “OK, that really freaks me out dad!”

We practiced slow walking on many of the different stair surfaces they have – “step, wait, step, wait”, and Max was perfect on each surface. He could sit/stay and down/stay with ease for as long as Donny wanted him to. Max was not fazed by shopping cars, people in motorized wheelchairs, crying babies (Max actually seems to really want to gravitate toward them as if to comfort them. There was even someone in the store with a very hyper puppy – and both the handler and Donny were hesitant to get them close – but I knew Max’s personality and told them to just relax and let the two dogs try and do a proper meet and greet – and they did! Max was gentle, and the little puppy quickly calmed down and they did the perfect “sniffing” pattern and became fast friends.

I am so, so very proud of this team. Donny said that Max always knows when Donny is having a difficult day, and comes to him instantly to give him comfort. Max’s recall is also profoundly good.

Well done, Donny and Max!!!!

P.S. – Check out Donny’s new Camaro!! A young couple visiting from Italy even came up to Donny and said, “How much for that Camaro? We’ll pay cash right now!” We all laughed and Max stuck his head out and said “No way, people – this is MY fancy car!”

Experience, San Antonio, Texas

Noelle and her SDIT Hazel

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Our lovely trainer Brenda had a session with Noelle and her SDIT, “Hazel”. She writes:

“Noelle, Hazel and I met at HEB to work on distractions in public. We walked around the store and stopped to look at things to make Hazel sit and be patient. She did well walking around, mostly heeling and not pulling, and paid no attention to people or carts. She was, however, very distracted by food on the floor. It was a little struggle getting her to sit, but once she did, she stayed put. She did stop every time Noelle stopped. We stopped to sit at a bench outside to have Hazel “down/stay”. That was harder to get her to do, but again, once she was down. she mostly stayed down. Noelle said she minds better at home, doing the commands when they are first given, so I think she needs to do more work out in public. Noelle is going to get some “Pet Corrector” to try and get her attention back faster, and is going to take her out more often, especially to places that Hazel needs to sit or stay and relax to desensitized her and make sure she is ready to take to school next year.”

Anxiety, Multiple Sclerosis, San Antonio, Texas

Alex and Meadow

From our trainer Beverli, who had her fifth training session with Alex and his SDIT, Rottweiler “Meadow”. Alex suffers from anxiety and Multiple Sclerosis.

Beverli writes:

“At this session, we worked at home doing intensive work on “give”, “pull”, (Alex needs assistance with his wheelchair at times) and some outdoor heeling with many neighborhood distractions. Meadow’s focus and ability to stay calm in stressful environmental situations has greatly improved! We encountered a hostile Rottweiler while on our walk who charged us barking, and Meadow stayed put and did not react at all. Homework given for the next session was to continue working on “give” and “pull”.”

Anxiety, Panic Attack, San Antonio, Texas

CONGRATULATIONS to Greg and his now Service Dog, Missy!!!

A HUGE CONGRATULATIONS to Greg and his now Service Dog, Missy!!! This absolutely remarkable team passed their Public Access Test flawlessly – and even went above and beyond by learning tasks and commands that were not even on the Public Access Test!

Greg’s compassionate, intelligent, and dedicated commitment to working with Missy, along with Missy’s remarkable ability to be trained and her remarkable, gentle temperament as a formerly neglected shelter dog have made this process so incredibly easy. Each training session is a joy for all three of us!!

The Public Access Test was done at North Star Mall. Missy took the bus for the first time (Greg does not drive), and she was a pro. We went into tons of stores and explored all kinds of distractions – but nothing fazed Missy. We performed each and every command in the Public Access Test, and she received a 100% PLUS. The most amazing thing is to watch how much people gravitate toward her. There is a softness in her eyes and in her demeanor that just draw people – from very young children to very elderly adults to want to meet her. She is loving and gracious toward everyone. She listens to every command that Greg gives her, without hesitation. Even the elevator ride was fun for her!! That tail is always wagging!

Missy had a lot of fun in the Disney store, at Spencer’s trying on eyeglasses, and going in shoe stores – she just LOVES the smell of sneakers! Especially blue ones!! (But none of them fit).

Greg has also noticed that now that she has switched foods to Evolve, Missy’s digestive system and appetite are working much better than the food she was originally on. I plan on maintaining a life-long friendship with these two – they have both significantly impacted my life. And Greg has been able to decrease his anxiety medications, get out and exercise more because of Missy, which has helped with his weight and diabetes, and he is much more socially engaged!

I also know that Missy would do amazing Therapy Dog work. Greg would love to try that with her.

What a blessing it has been to work with these two. Words cannot express.

Anxiety, Depression, Fibromyalgia, Medical Alert, San Antonio, Texas

CONGRATULATIONS TO SHELIA AND NOW SERVICE DOG, “CECE”!

CONGRATULATIONS TO SHELIA AND NOW SERVICE DOG, “CECE”! Our delightful trainer, Pat, had the Public Access Test with Shelia and her now Service Dog, Boston Terrier/Boxer mix “Cece”. Shelia suffers from anxiety, depression, fibromyalgia, severe pain, and needs medical alerts.

Pat writes:

“Shelia and Cece have done well with their obedience training! Cece is a happy and playful little girl who learned quickly that wearing her Service Dog vest means it’s “work time”. She learned her lessons through lots of good practice and public outings with her handler, Shelia. Her Public Access Test was finalized at Walmart in Helotes, demonstrating her willingness to keep her Boxer/Terrier personality in check with children, adults, noisy shoppers and carts. She even had the opportunity during her training to go to Laredo and watch a Cowboy Parade, with all the horses, crowds and chaos that goes with it. Cece was OK with all of it, and Shelia feels much more relaxed with her along.

Because Shelia has stability challenges sometimes when walking, particularly navigating stairs, Cece is continuing her training to learn how to retrieve a cell phone in the event Shelia falls. We are using the “Mark & Reward” technique to teach Cece to pick up and take an object to Shelia. Shelia is not getting in quality practice time on the retrieve training. Granted, it is precise and tedious work. Over the many weeks we have touched on it in sessions, and with the work I’ve personally done with Cece, I’m not seeing improvement in her retrieving behavior, so we will keep on working with that.

Diabetes, Medical Alert, Mobility, MST, PTSD, San Antonio, Texas, Veteran, Wounded Warrior

CONGRATULATIONS WOUNDED WARRIOR DENISE AND SANDY!!!!!

CONGRATULATIONS DENISE AND SANDY!!!!!

From our super trainer, Brenda, who performed the Public Access Test with Wounded Warrior Denise and her now Service Dog, lab mix Sandy!!! Denise suffers from diabetes, PTSD, and needs medical alerts due to her struggles with the wheelchair and resulting difficulties.

“We performed the Public Access Test at Denise’s home, the supermarket, and Church’s Chicken. Denise and Sandy performed “controlled load and unload into a vehicle”, “approaching the building”, “controlled entry through a doorway”, “heeling through the building”, “six foot recall on lead”, “sitting on command” (mostly), “downing on command” (mostly), “ignoring noise distractions”, “restaurant etiquette”, “off-lead leash drop”, “dog taken by another person”, and “controlled exit” (mostly).

There was a bit missing during the “Team Relationship”, because Sandy received a grade of mostly for being completely relaxed and confident, and completely under control, but otherwise they did fine in this category.

Due to the fact that both Brenda and Denise use wheelchairs, they did not load into/out of a traditional vehicle; they took the bus. However, Brenda has seen Denise load/unload with her provider’s truck and the VIA Bus where Sandy performed the tasks perfectly!

Awesome job guys!!!!!