Training Rescue Dogs as Service Dogs for Veterans

Unlike most other Service Dog organizations, Canines With a Cause does not pre-train dogs and place them with veterans dealing with PTSD or TBI. We assess dogs in state prisons and provide basic training to ensure they are appropriate for placement with a veteran for further training. Veterans are tasked with training their dogs, this is the beginning of their healing journey and bonding with the dog.

Veterans learn handling skills enabling them to train their own Service Dogs in the tasks necessary to help them reintegrate into family and civilian life. Trainers utilize positive training techniques to teach veterans to guide their dogs and solve problems, by utilizing methods that are enjoyable for the dog and healthy for the veteran. The dog and the handler create a strong bond by working together, and the dog is trained for specific tasks to help the veteran lead a more productive, less stressful life. Our goal is to develop creative, individualized training solutions that meet the mental, emotional and economic-stability challenges veterans face today. 

One of the results is creating confidence in our veteran handlers and how to handle difficult situations. Following is a letter from one of our program veterans, it speaks to the importance of knowing your dog and dealing with PTSD in a public place:

“We go about our lives trying to make the best of every day and then, in an instant, it all falls apart. At least that’s how it happens for me...

Living with PTSD for me is about keeping a mask in place so that no one knows I have it. I work very hard to appear as “normal” as possible, to hide behind my mask, to manage my triggers, and to make it through each day. It’s mentally exhausting and emotionally draining.

For me having a service dog was a huge choice. I wasn’t sure if I wanted to train or was ready to train a new pup or not. For me it’s always felt like a huge red flag to walk round with a service dog by my side. I don’t have any noticeable physical injuries, so I feel that when I walk around with a dog at my side the first thought everyone has is “she has PTSD” it feels like an advertisement for “classic PTSD” and I feel judged, I feel less than.

I’ve learned to cope on my good days and wear my mask of “I don’t care what others think” and I keep my mask of coping firmly in place to hide my PTSD. I’ve worked hard to put it there and keep it there. Most days my dog at my side gives me confidence, he makes me feel strong and know that I can get through my day without an episode and without a trigger. Most days my dog helps me keep that mask, the one I think I so desperately need, in place by turning it into a perception of strength and confidence.

Then there are days like today... days I fall apart, days my mask falls off and my whole world comes crashing down. When I fall apart, like I did today and others see it, it tears me to shreds. My mind betrays me, my fear takes hold of me, and it all happens so fast I don’t even know what to do and then it’s too late and I’m a mess. I hate everything and everybody. I’m scared, I’m alone, I’m panicking, and I’m lost.

Today I am so grateful for my service dog, today I am so grateful I made the choice to continue to have that “red flag” with me all the time. Today I am grateful he came with me and today I am grateful for my trainer who is slowly helping me feel that he’s not a red flag.

Today he stepped up when I couldn’t do it for myself. I am so grateful to CWAC and my trainer Teri for working with me and Koa. For giving me true strength and my confidence, not a mask, to walk tall and proud with my dog at my side when I think I’m okay, so that on days like today, when I’m not okay, he’s by my side. Today every second of training is saving me. Thank you for standing by me and Koa, you guys are my everything.”

CWAC is grateful for our generous donors who make this possible, thank you for your support,

Cathy

“She kept me from using, she kept me clean”. Veteran Robert B. talking about his dog Hazel

Veteran substance abuse is a growing problem in the USA, many active military men and women and veterans struggle with addiction. Veterans turn to substance abuse to self-medicate and numb their pain. Traumatic events such as combat exposure and multiple deployments can trigger drug or alcohol use, which all too often lead to addiction.

Combat today is vastly different than it was 40-50 years ago, and the new war on terror has increased the trauma and emotional toll combat has had on our service members.

Perscription Drug Abuse is prevalent among veterans because many are treated with powerful narcotic pain medications for injuries and combat related stress. Over time, veterans can become dependent on these drugs and eventually an addiction can develop. Alcohol abuse and addiction is common among the military population.

Common addictive medications prescribed to veterans include: Lortab, Vicodin, OxyContin, Ativan, Valium, Xanax, Ambien and Lunesta. Veterans taking these drugs may develop a dependence on them, meaning a tolerance to their effects and symptoms of withdrawal when quitting. Veterans may spiral into full-blown addiction, which is characterized by compulsive drug-seeking behavior.

For the past four years, Canines With a Cause (CWAC) has placed dogs in Recovery Treatment Centers, giving comfort to residents and assisting them in their journey to sobriety. Robert B. was the first veteran in the CWAC program to participate in our service dog training with his dog Hazel while living in the VA funded First Step House (noted in earlier report). Their success was the inspiration for our newest program designed to help veterans battle addiction, Healing Heroes.

Rescue dogs are now being assessed and trained in the Idaho Correctional Institution-Orofino (featured in video link) for work in Recovery Treatment Clinics. They will be trained to participate in therapy sessions, partnering with staff, helping people deal with the deep rooted trauma usually attached to addiction. Some will live in the centers as facility dogs. Dogs will be available for adoption and if applicable, receive training for service work like Hazel. Our first program dog is currently working in Chicago, Ill.

The patients in these facilities have returned from war but continue to battle. The presence of a dog offers a judgement free listener with low expectations who offers unqualified love to people who might not have anyone else. The dogs also serve as the first step to teaching responsibility and engagement. To a dog, our vets will always be heroes even if they don’t feel like one.

Healing Heroes is another CWAC program made possible by our generous donors, thank you for caring.

Sincerely,

Cathy King

Links:

• Short Video Featuring Program Veterans