Service Dog Sobee

After two rough deployments overseas, Jason Howe ended his U.S. Navy career in 2007. However, transitioning to civilian life was anything but smooth.

He has suffered from post traumatic stress disorder. To this day, he prefers not to talk about what he encountered during his service in the Navy.

“I wanted to take the pain away from whatever I was thinking about after doing two deployments,” he said. He turned to drugs. He lost his children, house and car, and he was bouncing from job to job.

“I woke up and wanted to end my life. I didn’t want to be here anymore,” he said. “I felt like the world didn’t understand me.”

He went through a rehab program in Kansas, then moved from Jefferson City back to his native state of Maine. It was there he came across an old friend who had a service dog.

“I asked him if (a service dog) could help me,” he said.

The friend put him in contact with K9s on the Front Line, a nonprofit organization that provides, certifies and trains service dogs for military veterans affected by post traumatic stress disorder and/or TBI at no cost to the veterans.

The organization gave him a dog that was two days from being euthanized in a kill shelter. He named the dog Sobee after a St. Louis Blues player. It changed his life.

“I started getting out of the house. I started walking, people were talking about my dog, asking about my dog, not my issues,” he said.

After attending a K9s on the Front Line event, he was hooked on the organization. After 18 weeks of training, he and Sobee graduated with 340 hours of training, more than twice the required amount.

With the graduation, Sobee officially became a service dog. Among other things, it taught her to sit, lay down, come when called and ignore other dogs and people in public.

Her main job, however, is to watch Howe’s back to make sure he’s safe. If he has a panic attack, Sobee jumps on him to “bring me back” to the present reality, he said.

After going through the program, Howe moved back to Jefferson City, where he now volunteers with K9s on the Front Line as the Midwest coordinator. To date, he’s used service dogs to help more than 50 veterans.

“It’s my way of giving back to my fellow brothers and sisters,” he said.

Last year, Howe delivered dog food donated by Diamond Pets to homeowners who were affected by the May 2019 tornado.

“One of my biggest things is being a voice for veterans or even people struggling, and leading by example,” he said. “It’s not the end of the world. They can overcome it. I like to give back to the same community that’s so loving and caring to us.”

The disabled veteran and his two sons, Alex, 14, and Nick, 12, now have three dogs.

Howe and Sobee are in the running for two categories of the American Humane Hero Dog Award. Of 800 dogs in the service dog category, Sobee is currently in the top three.

The winners, determined by online votes and judges, will get a trip to Hollywood, where they will be honored on Hallmark Channel’s nationwide broadcast of the American Humane Hero Dog Awards in October. “It feels pretty amazing, knowing where I was four years ago, and where Sobee was,” he said. “Both of us were kind of on our death beds, you could say, and we’ve both kind of saved each other. She’s given me a new life, and I’ve kind of given her a new life. She’s a pretty awesome battle buddy.”

Chihuahuas Getting Ready

The chihuahuas, who arrived at the RSPCA’s Godshill Animal Centre in July 2019, all have their own unique characters and personalities. With 40 tiny legs and 10 wagging tails, Carrie, Lucy, Naomi, Daisy, Lady, Molly, Percy, Pickles, Toby, and Vader have been keeping the team entertained as they provide them with care and attention during their time at the rescue centre.

Petco Foundation

With the support from the Petco Foundation’s Helping Heroes grant, Shelter to Soldier adopted a gorgeous (from the inside-out!) shepherd mix named “Scout” from Labs and More (Labradors, Retrievers and More) Rescue out of San Diego According to Shelter to Soldier President Graham Bloem, “So far, he’s an all-star in training and has thrived immensely in working with our team. It‘s obvious to our staff that he was destined for a great purpose as he has a special way about him. Our training regimen has refined wonderful traits of companionship and a renewed confidence in Scout. He’s put himself on the fast track in our program, excelling in his training every day. He’s on target to begin the process of meeting veterans to start handler training, most likely in the summer of 2020.”

From Oct. 5 to Oct. 27, 2019, the Petco Foundation raised funds to support thousands of therapy, service and working animals that have a significant impact on people across the nation. The Petco Foundation places a special emphasis on programs that obtain dogs from shelters to transform them into “Helping Heroes.” Donations throughout October of last year were collected at Petco stores and online. Shelter to Soldier was selected as a recipient of the campaign, with an added charitable component.

According to Kyrié Bloem, Shelter to Soldier co-founder and vice president, “To maximize their impact this year, the Petco Foundation generously pledged to match up to $20,000 in donations given to Shelter to Soldier through the month of October, 2019, to support our comprehensive work to facilitate dog rescues for our service dog program, and to support our veterans suffering from invisible wounds, such as Post Traumatic Stress (PTS), Traumatic Brain Injury (TBI) and more. We’re tremendously grateful for their continued support that enables us to expand our services.”

It is estimated that 16 veterans lose their lives to suicide every day in the United States, and in 2018 alone, 6,317 veterans took their lives. Shelter to Soldier is committed to making an impact on these devastating statistics by providing hope through the companionship of a psychiatric service dog who provides non-judgmental, 24/7 support and motivation to veterans otherwise debilitated by mental illness.

Since 2012, the Petco Foundation has invested more than $14 million to support the life-changing work of all helping heroes. These Helping Heroes not only safeguard the military and support wounded U.S. veterans, but they also rescue people during disasters, help provide independence, comfort the sick and even benefit children learning to read.

Treatment In Dogs

Pet Talk

We need some tips on using a leash for a dog. What are the best practices? — Dog Lover

Dear Dog Lover: The most common issue owners have when walking a dog is dealing with a dog that pulls at the leash. It’s important to understand: It’s not “natural” for a dog to be on a leash. Learning how to behave when leashed will not happen overnight and requires patience and consistency on the part of the owner.

There are harnesses that will help a dog understand how to walk — these generally have a strap across the chest so a dog “feels” the connection more thoroughly.

When dealing with any leashed pet, understand there are two ends of the leash. A nervous owner will transmit anxiety right down the lead, and your dog will pick up on that uncertainty right away.

Our Be PAWSitive community responded with a variety of helpful tips.

Longtime dog owner Deb O’Hanlon explains that when you are using a leash, “You have to be the alpha dog. Don’t let your dog be alpha, even if their personality is dominant.”

Patricia Noonan has found that a dog’s personality makes a difference on leash length: “Our Boston terrier likes a longer leash to explore, while our smaller dog likes a shorter leash to be close to me when walking.”

Rules to keep in mind: Keep your dog on the left side or behind you, never be in front of you. Don’t use a retractable leash, which can cause injury to dog or humans.

Therapy-dog owner Vicki Hengen Little advises: “Practice a lot of ‘stop sits and waits at crosswalks.” And everyone agrees that using treats helps a lot!

Therapy Dog Reunited

Little Suzie went missing from Marshfield’s WalMart location on June 6th after someone broke the owner’s car window in the parking lot. The car was running with A/C on while her owner made a quick visit inside, but after the window was broken Little Suzie, who is the owner’s therapy dog, bolted out the window and into the weeds by Weiler Convenience Store.

Marshfield Area Pet Shelter Lost and Found Coordinator Megan Jasurda worked with the owner and Weiler’s to place food and a live trap, but was unsuccessful in capturing Little Suzie.

On June 11, Little Suzie was spotted behind Menards, but days of monitoring a trail camera didn’t produce any leads. Finally, on June 25, employees at Marshfield Medical Center Credit Union (MMCCU) spotted Little Suzie in their parking lot. The skittish dog took off, but staff then texted Jasurda, who searched the area and eventually spotted the roaming dog. After monitoring and devising a plan, she was able to place a live trap and safely capture Little Suzie.

After spending 20 days on her own roaming the streets of Marshfield, Little Suzie was ecstatic to be reunited with her owner.

“It takes so many people to make a reunion successful,” said Jasurda. “Thank you to Weiler’s, Solutionz, Kathy who sent me a text, MMCCU for e-mailing me a security camera footage to get a good look at the dog, and to the homeowner who let me place a trap!”

“We just did what we hope anyone would do if they see a dog that needs help,” said David Murphy, MMCCU. “We’re so glad Little Suzie was reunited with her family!”

Helping Paw

After a three-month shutdown due to the COVID-19 pandemic, St. John Ambulance’s Campbell River branch is reopening for training, and their local volunteers are returning to support their community, starting June 29.

Due to the pandemic, St. John Ambulance closed branches and paused all community service programs, including therapy dog visits and medical first responder support for community events and activities. However, during this unprecedented time, their medical first responder volunteers stepped up to provide support by volunteering in other ways – such as at Canadian Blood Service clinics, the Topaz Park camp for the homeless in Victoria as well as helping support the development of an alternate care centre at the Vancouver Convention Centre.

As the province continues to flatten the curve and cautiously enter phase 3, the charity’s volunteers are making a safe comeback. Their charitable community service programs include the therapy dog, medical first responder, and youth program. All volunteers are committed to returning to community service and will ensure they follow all COVID-19 health and safety guidelines to keep themselves, and those around them safe while they lend a hand (or paw).

“Our volunteers have been preparing for the new reality and all look forward to facilitating the restart of activities in our communities and continuing to do what we do best: helping people when they need it,” said Ross Nichols, Vancouver Island Area Commissioner for St. John Ambulance BC & Yukon.

To request the services of St. John Ambulance volunteers, whether it’s a visit from therapy dogs or trained medical first responders providing first aid for an event, contact bcy.volunteer@sja.ca for consideration.

Outside of their volunteer work, the St. John Ambulance Campbell River branch is also resuming their first aid training. The branch has implemented a comprehensive COVID-19 plan that follows both WorkSafeBC guidelines, and those from the provincial medical officer to ensure the safety of all students, instructors, and staff members.

Protocols in place include taking a self-declaration from students and staff upon arrival, requiring students to bring their own pocket mask and non-surgical masks to courses, implement of physical distancing measures, and enhanced cleaning and sanitizing of all areas.

Run Free Nala

Nala first visited the school nearly four years ago and became a key member of the support team until her recent death after a short illness.

Difference Between Dogs

If you’re like me you’ve probably used the terms service dog, therapy dog, and emotional support dog interchangeably and without much thought to it. But in reality, there are major differences that separate these types of dogs and their functions to their owners also vary too.

Service Dogs are trained to help people with physical or mental disabilities, such as visual impairments, anxiety, depression, seizure disorders, diabetes, PTSD, etc. They help with daily tasks that are otherwise difficult for their handlers to do because of their disabilities. The job of a service dog and their training is specified to the type of disability their handler has. They help them feel more independent and stay safe when doing daily tasks. The American Disabilities Act (ADA) has regulations in place that allow people with disabilities to be accompanied by their service dogs even in places where animals aren’t allowed, they can be in public places like restaurants, schools, grocery stores, places of worship and employment. However, service dogs on airlines become a gray area of access, the ADA doesn’t have regulations over airlines and international travel, each airline has their own regulations regarding service pets but for the most part they aren’t barred from traveling with their handlers. An important thing to mention is that service animals are limited to dogs only, and they are the only type of pet that’s covered under the same regulations of the ADA, other pets can be “service pets” but they are usually for personal use and not able to access public spaces they otherwise would be barred from entering like service dogs are allowed to.

While some service dogs wear special harnesses, vests, or their owners carry certifications, these things are not required. According to the ADA, the staff is only allowed to ask, “(1) is the dog a service animal required because of a disability? and (2) what work or task has the dog been trained to perform?” Staff are not allowed to request any documentation for the dog, require that the dog demonstrate its task, or inquire about the nature of the person’s disability. However, the ADA doesn’t require documentation of proof that the pet is certified, trained, or licensed as a service animal but registration might be required in certain cities under the local dog licensing and registration laws.

A therapy dog also receives training in providing care but their responsibilities differ in that instead of doing or assisting in daily tasks like service dogs, therapy dogs provide psychological or physiological therapy to all types of individuals not just one person. Therapy dogs are usually found in facilities where they comfort others and provide affection like schools, hospitals, and nursing homes. But not every dog can be a therapy dog, in order to be a therapy dog they must have the temperament appropriate for the kind of care they give. They must be friendly, confident, non-aggressive, calm, patient, and able to be trained in specific tasks if need be. Like service dogs, there aren’t required certifications in order to be considered a service dog, but most places where therapy dogs are allowed to volunteer at require some form of certification and proof of being vaccinated. National organizations like the Alliance of Therapy Dogs or the AKC Canine Good Citizen (CGC) program offers training programs to organizations that provide therapy dogs to hospitals and nursing homes. Unlike service dogs, therapy dogs aren’t covered under ADA regulations and legal protections, they don’t get access to places where pets are not permitted or have special accommodations.

Emotional support animals (ESA) can be dogs or other pets that provide emotional support and comfort to their owners. ESAs are prescribed by a licensed mental health professional like a psychiatrist or therapist. The responsibility of an ESA is to provide therapeutic support for individuals with severe mental health disorders like depression, anxiety, panic attacks, bipolar disorder, phobias, PTSD and other emotional disorders with symptoms that disables the individual. ESAs don’t have legal protections under ADA and don’t require specific training like service dogs. But they’re protected under federal law and people who have ESAs are able to live in otherwise non-pet friendly housing and can accompany their owners on flights. The main caveat separating service dogs and therapy dogs from ESAs is that in order to have an ESA there needs to be a medical recommendation by a healthcare professional for the individuals’ disability or condition. Showing the medical recommendation is enough to certification or proof that the pet is an ESA.

General etiquette around Service Dogs/Therapy Dogs/ESAs:

1) Minimize distractions- while they are trained in only caring for their handlers and specific individuals, they are still pets and they can get distracted with the noises people make to get their attention, petting, and approaching the dog while they’re working.
2) Ask permission from the owner first if you wish to approach the dog. They might be working and being distracted could be detrimental to their handlers’ health.
3) Don’t offer food or treats to the pet, because it can be distracting to the working pet and they might have a certain diet or schedule of when they could eat.
4) If a service dog, ESA, or therapy dog is without their handler, in most cases something happened to their owner and follow the pet because someone might need help.

*When in doubt about how to act around these pets, always ask the owner and don’t assume you know best. They’re working dogs and if they can’t do their jobs, their owners are put at risk. *

Service Dogs Struggle