What does a PTSD service dog do?
Every service dog is different, as every person with disabilities is different. The beauty of Paws and Stripes’ training program is that every dog is trained to the specific needs of the veteran, thus every dog has somewhat different skills. Some dogs are trained to maintain a constant 360 degree guard of the individual, and alert the veteran when someone is approaching out of visibility. Some dogs may be trained to place themselves between the veteran and a stranger if the stranger is beginning to invade the established personal space. There are many possibilities for a service dog – whatever the disability calls for - our service dogs will be trained to accommodate it.
Aside from specific commands and skills that the dog is taught, the dog also proves therapeutic in another special way. Dogs are extremely receptive to our emotional and psychological states. When we are agitated, they become agitated, when we are excited, they are as well, and so on. For the veteran, if their anxiety begins to spike, the dog will react in a certain manner. For Jim, Sarge locks down and refuses to move or follow commands as a way of saying, “Hey dad, get yourself under control or I’m not moving.” The veteran is forced to divert focus to getting the dog at ease and thus, is calmed him/herself. In some cases the dog may lean into the individual to comfort and remind the veteran he/she is there. As aforementioned, every dog is different, as every veteran is different.
But more than helping with psychological issues, service dogs also assist veterans with various other disabilities or ailments, such as, balance, medical alerts, and so on.
Do you take dog donations?
We ARE NOT a shelter or dog rescue. We do not have kennels or a place where we keep the dogs that are adopted into the program. Instead, we work to help local shelters and rescues by taking our veterans to these facilities and choose from hundreds of dogs. This helps the local shelters that are overpopulated with dogs. We do not have the facility to accept donations of dogs or puppies. Also, we require an age limit for the program of 1 1/2 to 3 years of age to begin training, and our veterans choose their own dog. We do not keep dogs to assign to veterans.
How is Paws and Stripes different from other Service Dog Programs?
Paws and Stripes is different in many ways. Typically, other agencies will require you receive a specific dog provided by specific breeders (to maintain a bloodline of good temperament, which is no more of a guarantee than getting a rescue dog). Usually the disabled individuals never pick their own dog, they are assigned as the agency sees fit. The dog is trained with a professional for a year or more to perform certain predetermined tasks. After the dog is certified, they are then given to the disabled individual with or sometimes without a brief introductory period. If later in the future, the disabled individual is having issues with obedience, the dog must be sent off for reinforcement training.
Paws and Stripes allows the veteran to pick which dog they feel they have that connection with, and then begin training the dog with the trainers during the entire program. There is never a need to send off for reinforcement training, the veteran will be able to maintain training him/herself. The veteran learns just as much as the dog, and together a bond is forged and strengthened between man and dog. Paws and Stripes receives dogs free of charge from local shelters, therefore no breeders are ever used. We see this as an opportunity to help dogs, not contribute to the overpopulation of homeless animals.
Additionally, you will find that on average, a service animal can cost anywhere from $10,000 to $60,000, which does not include any veterinary care or equipment. Not only is this unrealistic for a normal middle-class individual to pay, but for a disabled veteran, who served our country and now suffers day to day for it, it is just wrong. Many veterans can no longer work due to service-connected disabilities. Paws and Stripes provides the dogs, training, equipment, and initial veterinary care (if adopted through the program) at no cost to the veteran. Enrolled veterans also become part of the Paws and Stripes Family, a network of peers and people who are here as lifelong friends.
Another unique aspect of Paws and Stripes, is that we use the TRM method with our veterans and their families. To learn more about this amazing modality and its founders, visit www.traumaresourceinstitute.com.
Where does the money come from to pay for the dogs and services?
As we are a nonprofit corporation, we fund the program entirely through donations, grants, sponsors, and any fundraisers we host (including merchandise we may sell). The veteran never pays a penny for the dog, equipment, training, or the initial veterinary care (vaccinations, heartworm test, spay/neuter) if adopted through the program.
Why do you have a service dog? You look healthy.
A common assumption is that you have to be either blind, deaf, or suffer from severe mobility issues to need a service animal. That is not true. Post Traumatic Stress Disorder and Traumatic Brain Injury, like many psychological, neurological, and cognitive disorders, shows no outward identifying marks. It is important to understand that not all disabilities are visible; not seeing something is wrong outright does not mean there is no disability. It is important to revert to the old saying, “never judge a book by its cover.”
What kind of dog can be a service dog?
For the most part, any service dog regardless of breed. For the particular work that the dogs trained through our program do, we do require that the dog be at least 18 months to three years old and be medium to large in size. We also require that the dog be in good health, as they will be working on a daily basis. Annual vaccinations are required, including the Bordetella vaccination and heartworm testing.
We also require that the dog be tested for temperment with other dogs and people. It is important that there not be aggression issues with the dog before enrolling it into the training program.
Can I use a dog that I already have?
If you already have a dog that you think would be a good candidate for a service dog, we will schedule an assessment with our trainers. The dog must still meet the requirements listed above. If we feel we need to have you choose another dog for service dog work, we will discuss the options with you.
Who is eligible to enroll?
We only accept United States military veterans who have incurred Post Traumatic Stress Disorder with/without Traumatic Brain Injury. We accept veterans regardless of race, nationality, sexual orientation, religion, military branch, income, or disability rating (which you are not required to provide). All individuals requesting enrollment into the program will go through a brief evaluation prior to being accepted into the program.
How do I enroll?
Simply submit an enrollment request form online on our enrollment page, and as soon as your name comes up on the waiting list, we will contact you to schedule an interview to assess your needs and begin an evaluation. Upon acceptance, the next step is meeting the trainers and beginning the search for your dog!
NOTE: At this time we have been obligated to create a waiting list for the program due to the high volume of requests and limited funding. Please be patient, as we are working everyday to increase speed of enrollment and financial progress!
As a disabled individual, what sort of ID or certification do I need to keep with me?
None! You are not required to provide anyone with any sort of documentation, specialized patches, or medical proof to have your service dog with you. You are protected by the American Disabilities Act and your medical disabilities are not the public's business. We suggest that you do continue putting vests on your service animal as a courtesy to the public, and to make going to public places more simple.
For information on State Laws regarding service animals, visit the NM Governor's Commission on Disability.
It would be beneficial to have proof of vaccination records just in case you need to prove that your dog meets the requirements established by the local and state regulations.
How do I donate?
There are multiple ways to contribute to Paws and Stripes. Besides donating in person when you see us at an event, you can:
-Donate online through Paypal with credit card or your Paypal account
-Purchase merchandise from our online store (all proceeds go to Paws and Stripes)
-Send donations by mail to P.O. Box 46253, Rio Rancho, NM 87174
-Donate equipment (please email first to find out needs for packs, patches, leads, and Haltis)
-Sponsor a veteran, where you pay the $2000 for a single veteran’s program cost in its entirety
-Donations boxes are available at participating locations
What sort of halter is your dog wearing on its head?
It is a nose harness called a Halti. The idea of the Halti is much like the use of horse halters – if you direct the head, the body will follow. The harness gently and humanely guides the dog in a more precise manner, making it ideal for service dogs in training. It is not a muzzle or an aggression control device.
Why can’t I touch the service dogs?
A service dog is trained to assist a disabled individual, and to do so the dog is required to focus on its job. When people approach the dog and pet, talk, or distract it in some way, they are preventing the dog from focusing on its job. A dog can only pay attention to one thing at a time. When training the dog, the hardest challenge for it is to ignore stimuli in its environment that it would normally be receptive to, such as petting, cooing, etc. In order to do their job, the owner needs the dog to be on task.
Will the dog bite me if I touch it?
Generally speaking, no, the dog will not bite you. Service dogs are mild mannered, very socialized, and safe. However, it is never a good idea to touch a dog you are not familiar with until you have been formally introduced to it, and permission has been given by the owner. There are never any guarantees that any dog will not bite.
