ptsd My Journey To Get A Psd - Ptsd Service Dog

[Tbird]

As some of you may know my sweet little pug Etta James passed away Sept 29, 2010. It's been a difficult mourning process for me and as the immobilizing grief started to ease I felt a deep loneliness. I thought about another dog, however I'm not at the point in my life where a puppy is a good solution for me nor is a shelter dog.

I thought a lot about my little Etta and began to realize I needed not just a pet but also a partner who could help me with my PTSD. Looking back over the years I could see how my Etta helped me do that from nightmares to strange noises she was always there to reassure me and just seemed to naturally learn when she needed to clown and when she needed to cuddle. I thought about how unlikely it would be to find another dog like that.

However, not wanting to give up I started researching breeds and came across information on service dogs for veterans with PTSD, I read a bunch and watched a lot of videos. I talked to my psychologist and to my psychiatrist about it, both agreed it would be good for me. I called the VA to find out about it, I looked on the internet, I had a bit of a hard time finding information on anything in my area.

With some luck I found a place in my area that does train PTSD service dogs, I called my PTSD clinic nurse manager and she had heard of the organization and they had a good reputation. So I took a deep breath and called them, they were very helpful and kind. I completed my application and mailed it in yesterday. So we will see what happens. My psychiatrist has to fax them a form confirming I have a diagnosis of PTSD and hopefully they will do that sooner rather than later. The application process takes time, I've completed the first step. If my application is accepted then they will schedule a home visit. When a dog is a available I must attend a two week training session which is to train me on how to work with the dog and to develop a bond between me and my new best friend.

If you want to read about the organization that I went through their website is here http://supportdogs.org/ If you want to watch some videos about PTSD dogs you can find some here http://ow.ly/4bz6n

I'll post back here to let you know whether my application is accepted or not. Wish me luck!

[admiral7]

Good luck TBird we know you will excel at this.

[Tbird]

Yesterday Feb 4 2013 was my first day of training and I met my dog. She is beautiful and very smart, she wagged her tail the whole time I was with her and she seemed very happy with me and I am happy with her.

She is a Golden Retriever/Labrador Retriever mix and she is coal black, sweet face and her name is Cinder! I am going to get a picture of her today and I will post it. We worked a little with our dogs yesterday and met them for the first time. This week and next is filled with lectures and training, training is for me, Cinder knows everything already :) She gave me kisses and I just melted.

The combination of the labrador/golden is perfect for me I am only 5" tall and I needed her for balance also. So the dog had to be just the right height and my baby girl is perfect. I've done some reading and this mix is being bred specifically to be service dogs, sort of the best of both breeds. She is calm and eager to please and enjoys her work.

I went through Support Dogs, Inc. Check them out a wonderful group of folks. They couldn't be any nicer or helpful. Now putting Cinder aside for a moment, let me tell you about the other folks in the class one little girl 7years old was born in India with her legs on backwards, her mom and dad had a heck of a time adopting her and getting her here from India and then one doctor wanted to amputate her legs, but they found another doctor and after many surgeries her legs have been reattached correctly, all her bones grow wrong, but let me tell you nothing stops this little girl she is face first into life and moves faster with her walker than I do without one :) She got a chocolate lab name Stover and she calls him her chocolate boy she is very sweet. Then there is another little boy who got a Golden named Wonka, he has spina bifada and he is quite sweet and a little quiet, but when Wonka came out I am telling you the smile on his face was so big, you just had to smile along with him. His step dad was with him and he is an Iraq Marine Veteran been out about 2 years and having trouble getting help with his issues. So I told him about our site and plan on talking more with him each day.

I will keep you all posted!

[johnjjr]

Congratulations!! Best wishes to both you and Cinder.

[Tbird]

Ok Day 2 down. Yesterday we learned Wait, Kennel, Heel and something else, it'll come to me. Cinder is looking good and found out a little more information about her. She was raised by a Firemen and lived at the Firehouse, the Firemen who raised will come in next week and I will get to meet him and thank him and I want him to know that Cinder is going to be well taken care of.

Today is Wed, they gave us our kennels yesterday to bring home and set up and tonight I bring home Cinder for the first time. Very excited ! Will post more pictures soon.

[Notorious Kelly]

Pretty durned cool, T!

I look forward to photos and give a big hug to the good doggy!

[Tbird]

Wow! What a week! 5 days of training done with my new service dog Cinder. 1 more week to go. Today, Saturday, Cinder and I played fetch in the yard and I gave her a few minutes of Free time in the backyard (Fenced) to just sniff around and check out her surroundings. She is doing everything right, I have made some mistakes in the commands and command sequence, but I am getting better. We have been cuddling and playing today, after all it's our weekend off :) Friday is our graduation Lord willing and the creek don't rise.