PTSD Service Dog

Science has shown that service dogs can benefit some veterans with PTSD. But the exact role service dogs play in the day-to-day lives of veterans – and the helpfulness of the tasks they perform – is less known.

A recent study led by Purdue University’s College of Veterinary Medicine shows what trained tasks service dogs perform the most often and which ones are the most helpful to veterans with post-traumatic stress disorder. The study found that the task of disrupting episodes of anxiety ranked among the most important and most often used.

“There has been some debate on what kind of training PTSD service dogs need to be effective and how their assistance may be different than what a pet dog can provide,” said Kerri Rodriguez, a human-animal interaction graduate student and a lead author on the study. “This study suggests that veterans are, in fact, using and benefiting from the specific trained tasks, which sets these dogs apart from pet dogs or emotional support dogs.”

Rodriguez led the work with Maggie O’Haire, associate professor of human-animal interaction. Their research was published in Frontiers in Psychology. The study was done in conjunction with K9s For Warriors, with support and funding from Merrick Pet Care, and is in preparation for an ongoing large-scale clinical trial that is studying veterans with and without service dogs over an extended period of time.

The study found that, on average, the dog’s training to both alert the veteran to any increasing anxiety and providing physical contact during anxiety episodes were reported to be the most important and the most often used in a typical day. Veterans with a service dog also rated all of the service dog’s trained tasks as being “moderately” to “quite a bit” important for their PTSD.

Some trained tasks include picking up on cues veterans display when experiencing distress or anxiety and consequently nudging, pawing or licking them to encourage the veteran to focus on the dog. The service dogs also are trained to notice when veterans are experiencing anxiety at night and will actively wake up the person from nightmares.

The dogs also are trained to perform tasks in public – such as looking the opposite way in a crowded room or store to provide a sense of security for the veteran.

The study also found that trained service dog tasks were used on average 3.16 times per day, with individual tasks ranging from an average of 1.36 to 5.05 times per day.

Previous research led by Rodriguez showed that the bond between a service dog and the veteran was a significant factor in the importance of untrained behaviors. Although all trained tasks were reported to be important for veterans’ PTSD, those with a service dog actually rated the importance of untrained behaviors higher than the importance of trained tasks. This suggests that there are some therapeutic aspects of the service dog’s companionship that are helping just as much, if not more, than the dog’s trained tasks, Rodriguez said. “These service dogs offer valuable companionship, provide joy and happiness, and add structure and routine to veterans’ lives that are likely very important for veterans’ PTSD.”

The study surveyed 216 veterans from K9s For Warriors, including 134 with a service dog and 82 on the waitlist. The study complements a previous publication published last year that focused specifically on the service dogs’ training, behavior and the human-animal bond.

While service dogs were reported to help a number of specific PTSD symptoms such as having nightmares, experiencing flashbacks, or being hyperaware in public, there were some symptoms that service dogs did not help, such as amnesia and risk-taking.

“Both this research, as well as other related studies on PTSD service dogs, suggest that service dogs are not a standalone cure for PTSD,” O’Haire said. “Rather, there appear to be specific areas of veterans’ lives that a PTSD service dog can help as a complementary intervention to other evidence-based treatments for PTSD.”

Veterans on the waitlist to receive a service dog expected the service dog’s trained tasks to be more important for their PTSD and used more frequently on a daily basis than what was reported by veterans who already had a service dog.

“Veterans on the waitlist may have higher expectations for a future PTSD service dog because of feelings of hope and excitement, which may not necessarily be a bad thing,” Rodriguez said. “However, it is important for mental health professionals to encourage realistic expectations to veterans who are considering getting a PTSD service dog of their own.” The work was funded by Merrick Pet Care, Newman’s Own Foundation and the Purdue University College of Veterinary Medicine. More information about O’Haire’s research is featured online.

K9s For Warriors’ mission is to end veteran suicide. Based in Florida, we are the nation’s largest provider of Service Dogs to military veterans suffering from Post-Traumatic Stress, Traumatic Brain Injury and/or Military Sexual Trauma. Our program is unique, comprehensive, and proven, thanks to groundbreaking research conducted in partnership with Purdue University’s OHAIRE Lab. The majority of our Service Dogs come from high-kill shelters, which means that with each warrior-K9 pairing, two lives are saved.

Defining the PTSD Service Dog Intervention: Perceived Importance, Usage, and Symptom Specificity of Psychiatric Service Dogs for Military Veterans

Police Service Dog

The Peterborough Police Service announced on Monday (July 20) that retired police service dog (PSD) Wolfe has passed away.

PSD Wolfe was donated by the Knights of Columbus and spent seven years working the streets of Peterborough with his friend and partner police constable (PC) Tim Fish.

“He was crazy tough, but was always great with kids,” PC Fish says in a police media release.

“We did so many school presentations, at all levels, including college and university,” PC Fish recalls. “We would never turn down anyone who wanted a picture or ask questions. He was the best. We always did Kids and Cops and Take Your Kid To Work Day. Every chance I had to show him off I did.”

PSD Wolfe retired from active duty in 2018 but remained a part of PC Fish’s life until his passing.

“Retirement was tough for Wolfe but he ended up loving it.” PC Fish says. “He was so amazing.”

PSD Wolfe received numerous accolades, including a Commanders Commendation in 2015 for Outstanding Police Work while arresting an armed suspect.

He was responsible for countless successful tracks and located approximately $10,000 cash, and over $20,000 in drugs during a search in Brookdale Plaza. He was also available as an invaluable support to all units, specifically front-line patrol officers and the Peterborough Police Service’s Emergency Response Team.

“PSD Wolfe will be missed,” states the police media release.

Dog Learns Tricks

Social Distancing With Your Pets

Pet owners have been left scratching their heads after a German shepherd dog in South Carolina contracted the coronavirus from its owner. The dog had a pre-existing condition and was eventually euthanized.

If you’re a pet owner, you may recall that just a few months ago, the latest guidance on COVID-19 said it was unlikely dogs and cats could get the virus. But there are now commercial labs conducting COVID-19 tests on pets.

For most owners, pets are like any other family member that would go to the doctor if they’re ill. Aside from the common mishaps that can happen with a dog or cat, the Centers for Disease Control now says we need to be vigilant about COVID-19 not just in ourselves, but also our dogs and cats.

“It is not unusual or unique for a dog to test positive,” says Dr. Jim Dobies, president of Gaston County’s Urgent Vet Clinic. “The CDC is very clear that we should, as practitioners, suspect COVID-19 in a dog or a cat that comes from a household where humans have been infected.”

The respiratory, temperature, and gastrointestinal symptoms are similar.

“Those are very subjective findings that humans are able to report, dogs and cats obviously can’t report those symptoms.” He says the science shows while cats can spread it to one another and then to a human, dogs only appear to be getting it from people. “It would be important not to get in our pets faces if we are positive for COVID-19,” Dobie says.

It’s easier said than done, he admits, especially for those whose pet is also their service animal. “If you’re recovering from an illness, the emotional and psychological support that we get from our pets is very important,” he says.

And though cats and dogs can have compromised immune systems, which makes fighting the virus harder, Dobies says the likelihood of having to euthanize a COVID-positive pet is remarkably low.

“Every bit of evidence that I’ve seen up to this point says that dogs and cats, COVID-19 is a milder condition, a milder disease than it is in humans,” he says.

Therapy Dog Makes A Visit

Chaplain Ron Leonard and his therapy dog, Molly, are making a difference in the lives of police officers and first responders in crisis through the Canines for Christ organization.

Recently, they visited Brentwood police officers to offer emotional support as they grieve the loss of officer Destin Legieza, who was killed by a drunk driver after he was finishing his shift on June 18.

“Molly and I were with about seven to 10 officers at the night roll call and have been visiting them and the 911 dispatchers affected by the tragic loss,” Leonard said. “I am partnering with Buffalo Wild Wings and Jet’s Pizza in Hermitage through December to provide a meal.”

Canines for Christ is an international Christian-based, animal-assisted therapy ministry that uses ordinary people and their beloved dogs to share God’s message of love, hope, kindness and compassion to the community. The organization is a non-profit 501c3 charity that has over 900 volunteers serving 36 states.

Leonard rescued Molly when she was six weeks old after she and her mom had been left to die in freezing temperatures. He knew she was saved to do special things. Since joining Canines for Christ in 2012, Molly has visited over 2,000 groups. The duo was also recently featured on “Fox and Friends” showcasing their work.

In 2017, Leonard started reaching out to 911 dispatchers and first responders across the nation to recognize the “hidden heroes” that protect and serve daily. Molly is now the crisis response canine for the Nashville Fire Department and a regular visitor with 911 dispatchers. Leonard is the chaplain on call with NFD and serves, “as the Lord directs.”

Additionally, the duo visits cancer centers, grief centers, children’s hospitals, nursing homes and other facilities. However, due to the COVID-19 pandemic, it has become more difficult to provide care.

“We’ve had to visit nursing homes through windows,” Leonard said. “It’s been challenging.”

Canine Training Program

Service Dog Heals

When the coronavirus pandemic took hold in the U.S. earlier this year, Sydnee Geril stopped bringing her service dog, Tulsa, to her chemotherapy treatments. The 25-year-old made the decision out of an abundance of caution; while the chance of spreading COVID-19, the disease caused by the new coronavirus, through pet fur is unlikely, the American Veterinary Medical Association still recommends taking precautions.

But in late May, Geril discovered a onesie for dogs called the Shed Defender — which helps control shedding — and her German shepherd has been able to stay clean and get back to work by her side.

“I’m so happy to have her back,” Geril told TODAY. “I honestly did not realize how big of an impact she had until I didn’t have her.”

The Shed Defender, or the “super suit,” as Geril calls it, has been on the market for nearly four years — so it wasn’t designed to deal with the coronavirus pandemic. But Tulsa wears it with a set of booties to cover most of her fur. Now, instead of needing a full bath after every hospital visit, all Geril has to do is wipe down Tulsa’s face and wash her suit. (The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention recommends laundering clothes worn by an ill person on the “warmest appropriate water setting for the items.”)

Geril lives in Ocala, Florida, and was diagnosed with Ewing’s sarcoma, a rare bone cancer that typically affects children and young adults, in October 2017. After nine months of treatment, she went into remission and decided to adopt Tulsa and train her to become a therapy dog. Therapy Dogs visit hospitals, nursing homes, schools and other health care centers to cheer people up, and Geril said these visits were one of the only things that made her feel better during her hospital stays — and something that inspired her to get Tulsa.

Unfortunately, after eight months of remission, Geril’s cancer returned, so the 2-year-old pup is now training to be her personal service dog, which requires a greater time commitment than what is needed for therapy dogs. Service dog training typically takes around two years to complete, and the dogs learn to cater to the personal needs of their owners.

Geril gets treated at the Moffitt Cancer Center in Tampa, Florida. According to the center’s website, service dogs, guide dogs and therapy dogs are welcome in the building’s public spaces as long as they are well-behaved and remain under the control of their handlers.

Geril decided to start documenting her journey with Tulsa on Instagram after she discovered the service dog community on the platform. She said a lot of misinformation and misconceptions exist about service dogs, so she wanted to do her part to help educate others.

“There’s no handbook on service dogs; there is no right or wrong,” she said. “I just really wanted to share, educate, get (the) word out, because I didn’t know anything about it before I started with this.”

Geril’s chemotherapy treatments and her fear of needles cause her to pass out frequently, so one of Tulsa’s main jobs is to alert her before that happens. Geril said the human body undergoes a chemical change before a fainting episode, and dogs can recognize that change through smell. If Tulsa detects this scent, she puts a paw on Geril’s leg to let her know that she has between 10 to 30 minutes before she will start to feel dizzy.

“It’s huge; it’s given me my freedom back greatly,” she said. “I can go out by myself now.”

Geril said she didn’t truly understand how much Tulsa helped until she had to pull her from work during the pandemic, as she noticed her health and quality of life declined drastically.

“I went into a wheelchair full time because I was afraid to be up and walking around because the hospital’s rules are you can’t have any visitors,” Geril said. “I didn’t want to risk passing out with nobody around.”

However, since Tulsa has started using the Shed Defender and returned to work, she said she feels more confident and can worry less.

Geril said that although Tulsa was initially a little unsure about her new attire, after a lot of playing and positive reinforcement training, she has adjusted very well.

“It’s a new world now and we’re finding new ways to cope with it, and I’m just so happy that we can find new uses for products like that,” she said.

Brutus The Therapy Dog

A loyal friend to everyone he meets, the labradoodle Brutus doesn’t act like his namesake.

Five-year-old Brutus is a certified therapy dog. He went through the eight-week “Canine Good Citizen” training class, hosted by National Capital Therapy Dogs, to earn his certification.

For the past two years, Brutus has offered warm, fuzzy comfort at Bayhealth hospital campuses in Dover and Milford.

In June, Bayhealth honored him with a Spirit of Planetree Award, which recognizes caregivers, physicians and pet therapy animals who go above and beyond.

“Brutus and his owner, Sharon Conley, are a team in a true sense of the word. They mentor new pet therapy groups, cheer on veteran teams and ensure all they meet have a better day,” wrote Brutus’s nominator, Bayhealth volunteer manager Carrie Hart. “When the child care center requested pet therapy teams visit during the ‘Week of the Young Child,’ Sharon and Brutus were there spreading love and snuggles to more than 90 students.”

“Week of the Young Child” is sponsored by the National Association for the Education of Young Children and celebrates early learning. Conley, of Bowers Beach, said visiting the hospital daycare that week was a highlight for her and Brutus.

“They just really enjoyed snuggling up and petting and having fun with him,” she said.

Conley works in the volunteer office at Bayhealth, where the pet therapy program is managed.

“I see all the dogs and I thought ‘One of these days, that’s what I’m gonna do,’” she said. “It’s pretty exciting and rewarding.”

When asked how he felt about his award, Brutus said, “Woof. Woof woof.”

Stolen Pups Reunite

The puppies were recovered in Belfast Harbour on their way to a ferry as part of a multiagency cross-border operation involving An Garda Síochána in Galway, Monaghan, Clones and Bailieboro, Belfast Harbour Police, Belfast City Council Animal Welfare Service, the Ulster Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (USPCA), and the Irish Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (ISPCA).

Four foxhound puppies, which had been stolen in Craughwell between 7pm on Sunday, June 21, and 9am on Monday, June 22, 2020, were among the dogs seized.

These puppies, which were just four weeks old when they were stolen, have been returned to their owner and reunited with their mother. They are in good health. You can see how excited they were meeting their mother again in the video above.

Gardaí are appealing to the public to take extra crime prevention measures when it comes to caring for your pet, particularly high-value breeds of dogs.

Pet Therapy Teams

This weekend there were barks and cheers as Gulfport welcomed six new pet therapy teams.

Saturday, the Visiting Pet Teams of South Mississippi honored its 2020 class of pet graduates. Six canines and their handlers received diplomas and a chew toy for successful completion of their course instruction and their evaluation.

The ceremony was held at Gulfport Memorial Hospital. All human attendees wore masks and were spread six feet apart. While COVID-19 did not prevent the graduation event from happening, it did affect the number of graduates. Visiting Pet Teams of South Mississippi Coordinator Michael Bowin said, “We would’ve had six but we had a couple that dropped out for other reasons. And this is considered that we’ve been basically four months without any evaluations. So this was a very small year for us.”

The Pet Therapy’s team evaluator, Carla Anderson, had some parting words for her pet teams as they embark on a journey she began 10 years ago. “Those new dog handler teams, sometimes I remind them, you know, don’t drop your lead, pay attention to what your dog is doing at all times, and you’re your dog’s advocate. It’s your responsibility to remove your animal from the situation if your animal becomes stressed.”

Anderson says therapy dogs aren’t made, they’re born. A couple of the many traits she says they should have is getting along with children and not backing away from physical touch. “You can train obedience and field and agility, but you can’t train temperament and personality.” The basic duties of a therapy pet, according to the group’s motto, are to enhance lives, reduce loneliness, and create motivation through animal assisted activities and animal assisted therapy. “It’s just all about the dogs. I just joke and say I’m just the driver. They do everything. And they do, they do.”