Category Archives: Tourette’s Syndrome

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, Dallas-Fort Worth, Experience, Texas, Tourette's Syndrome

Training at Trenton’s elementary school

From our wonderful trainer, Candace, in Fort Worth, who went above and beyond training Trenton and Priddy to pass the PAT!!!

“Today I spent five hours at Trenton’s elementary school. What an incredible day! Priddy, who passed her Public Access Test the previous weekend, did spectacularly! She stayed under Trenton’s desk or close by his chair the entire time. She was alert and aware of the children and classroom movement, but she did a great job of “blending in” as much as she could. Trenton did amazingly as well, both personally and handling Priddy. His symptoms were decreased or avoided!! (Tourette’s and anxiety). Not only that, but Trenton was the hit on the playground during recess. The only thing that Priddy didn’t handle too well was dodge ball!

Their homework is to get Priddy into the gym more around balls so that she becomes comfortable with them. Until then, an area was specialized for her outside of the immediate gym area. What a wonderful day! It was a pleasure being a part of Trenton and Priddy’s debut together in school!”

WHAT A MARVELOUS GIFT YOU HAVE GIVEN THIS FAMILY, CANDACE! TRENTON AND PRIDDY – WE ARE SO HAPPY FOR YOU!!! AND WHAT A MARVELOUS WAY TO TEACH OTHER STUDENTS ABOUT SERVICE DOGS!!

Anxiety, Dallas-Fort Worth, Texas, Tourette's Syndrome

CONGRATULATIONS TO PRIDDY AND TRENTON

CONGRATULATIONS TO PRIDDY AND TRENTON, WHO, WITH THE HELP OF TRAINER CANDACE IN FT. WORTH, PASSED THEIR PUBLIC ACCESS TEST!!!! Trenton has Tourette’s Syndrome and suffers from anxiety – but not so much anymore!!!

“Priddy passed her Public Access Test! And with flying colors, I might add! We started at a park where she showed that she was responsive to her handler only around other dogs. She then successfully unloaded from the vehicle and walked safely into a local mall. Right off the bat, there was a large crowd, and Priddy navigated young Trenton through at an appropriate speed. She reacted perfectly to the noise distractions and did not solicit attention from the public. When it came time for her to be pet by children and a stranger, she was a perfect lady and stayed in the appropriate positions. She passed the test in just under two hours. Great job to the Goodpaster family, who logged northward of 350 hours of training with Priddy over the summer months. They worked diligently with dedication and consistency. Congratulations!”

WHAT AN ABSOLUTELY DEDICATED FAMILY!! 350 HOURS OF TRAINING! MIRACLES HAPPEN WHEN EVERYONE IS PART OF THE PROCESS. AND THANK YOU, CANDACE, FOR MAKING THIS POSSIBLE TO HELP TRENTON!!!!!

Anxiety, Dallas-Fort Worth, Texas, Tourette's Syndrome

11 year-old Trenton and his Priddy SDiT

From trainer Candace, in Fort Worth, who is training with 11 year-old Trenton, who suffers from Tourette’s Syndrome and anxiety, and his SDIT, “Priddy”. Trenton’s mother, Jennifer, is very vigilant about training and is very dedicated to the process.

“Trenton’s SDiT, Priddy, is doing incredibly well! We spent an hour going over mock Public Access Test scenarios at a local mall. Priddy is getting great at everything. We went through each command, working a few times through scenarios and talking about any potential “hiccups” and how to handle them. Jennifer wanted a better understanding of what exactly to work on for the test. Their goal is to have Priddy certified by the beginning of October. She is doing great with her young handler, Trenton. He is doing well controlling her, with some verbal cuing from Jennifer. Overall, they are in great shape for the PAT. Go Goodpaster family!”

Dallas-Fort Worth, Texas, Tourette's Syndrome

She’s “A Beagle Scout.”

A wonderful update from Jennifer, mom to 11 year-old Trenton, who has Tourette’s Syndrome. They have been training with Candace in Dallas. Jennifer writes:

“Trenton’s life is enriched beyond all expectations because of Priddy. They went to Boy Scout camp for a week in Oklahoma. Trent ended up outside the tent somehow one morning, and Priddy stayed right there. Trent made sure Priddy saluted for the evening taking down of the flag because she’s “a beagle scout.”

SO HAPPY FOR YOU, TRENTON AND PRIDDY! AMAZING PICTURES! WONDERFUL TRAINING, CANDACE!

 

Anxiety, Tourette's Syndrome

From our trainer Candace, in Dallas:

“The session with Jennifer and her son, Trenton, who is an 11-year old boy with Tourette’s Syndrome and anxiety, went extremely well! Our focus was on finding things that calmed down SDIT Priddy, as she was anxious to be in the pet store. We explored several products that may help, and the family also had some “homework” for Priddy, which included taking her EVERYWHERE for socialization. She seemed to be particularly affected by loud or strange sounds, so I instructed Jennifer on how to take baby steps to socialize Priddy without causing too much stress, thus avoiding potential negative outcomes that could arise from over-exposure to certain stimuli. We also had some trouble finding something that motivated Priddy for training, as food did not have a response most of the time. A report post training session found that Priddy made marked improvements just days after the session. Hard work and consistency can accomplish so much with dog training! The family is now ready for the next steps!”