We have talked about the ideal dog, but what is the ideal candidate for our dogs?
1. Motivated and active in addressing their challenges.
A dog, no matter how talented and trained is still a DOG. The veteran must take ownership of their own life and
issues and be willing to participate and actively work to get better. The dogs are a TOOL a living medical device (legally)
to help address the challenges of PTSD and TBI. They are not a magic fix.
2. Dog oriented with family support.
If the person is involved with others; spouse, kids, parents - whatever, they need to be involved in this decision. If the
dog is not welcomed by all, it will be a source of conflict, not support. Also if the person does not like dogs to begin with,
it is unlikely they will be willing to bond with one.
3. Dog is to address PTSD related issues not other problems.
Our dogs are selected and our training is oriented for PTSD issues. Although we understand that other mental
challenges are debilitating and cause heart wrenching problems the dog is not a magic fix for any and all mental
disorders.
We have had several people approach us that misrepresented a PERSONALITY DISORDER as a PTSD issue.
Although yes, PTSD was also present, the personality disorder was the main complaint. A dog, no matter how wonderful,
will not fix or help treat BPD, Antisocial Personality Disorder, schizophrenia, meth addiction or other similar issues.
Trying to stick one of our dogs in such a situation does not help the person or the dog and serves to place the animal in
danger and also denies the animal to a veteran who could benefit from such help. Quite simply it is like sticking a square
peg in a round hole.
4. Veteran is prepared to have a constant companion for the life of the animal.
When you have a psychiatric service animal, you have an animal that is supposed to be with you 24/7. These
animals are raised and trained to believe and expect their human to be with them at all times. If they are without that
human companionship they are stressed and worried because it is not right or normal for them. They are taught to be
alarmed if their human leaves them behind (in part as a suicide prevention). If you are not able to have your dog with
you because you work in a clean room, in an operating room or the like please keep that in mind and consider using an
ESA instead, who can be left alone. If it seems too much trouble to constantly take a dog with you, then please
reevaluate if you really need one of our animals.
Also, if you only need help to transition back to civilian life or over a crisis moment, please consider another option.
A dog does not understand being used for a few months and then turned back in when he is not needed any more.
These are living animals and have feelings too.
5. A veteran must be willing to maintain the training of the dog.
A service dog is by nature smarter than the common pup. This means they learn well and quickly but they are dogs,
not robots. That means if you do not maintain their training and let them get away with something, they will learn very
quickly that they can get away with it repeatedly. Just like children, they will test you to see if they can backslide into fun
and naughty behavior.
A smart dog knows when they are placed with a new person and will check and see if you know they are supposed
to ignore food or pay attention on the leash or so on. We prefer to have an orientation period with the veteran and dog
and do put in the contract that the veteran and dog will have an additional six months of working together under the
supervision of another trainer. We do this because this results in the best outcome for both veteran and dog.
Just like you need help learning how to drive a car or operate a highly technical device, you need help learning how
to partner with a highly intelligent and specialized animal. Working with a service dog takes time and study. It is far more
than just holding on to a leash and letting the animal do it all. The dog, no matter how talented, is still a dog and needs
human direction.