Service animal training offers support to first responders, veterans

Mar. 26—Students had the chance Tuesday to learn about a volunteer organization that offers local first responders and veterans training for their dogs to become service animals at no cost.

Dogs 4 Valor can train dogs to assist their owners with things like PTSD and traumatic brain injuries. The organization met at Missouri Western State University on Tuesday to share with students who are first responders or are a part of the military.

Sandra Sindeldecker, program director of Dogs 4 Valor, said many veterans or first responders start out with "significant signs of PTSD."

"They're not leaving the house. They're not engaging in the community, doing things that you would typically do," Sindeldecker said.

After enduring a six- to nine-month training program with what Sindeldecker calls their "battle buddy," the dog is then considered a service dog.

"They're able to get back into crowds, go to movies, go to concerts, even just simple things like eating out at a restaurant," she said. "They're able to get back to doing normal things."

The training program consists of two parts. The first part, which is about four months, is dedicated to obedience. The second part focuses on public access testing, where they do ADA service task training.

Kathleen-Mae Rogers, a Marine Corps veteran, said her service dog, Chips, has been a service dog for about two and a half years and has been a therapy dog for about a year.

"So she does stuff like when I'm having nightmares, any kind of any triggers that I have outside of the home. And then also mobility issues; I got a bad knee, so she helps me get up and stuff," Rogers said.

After moving from California to Missouri, Rogers didn't know what to do. She said she wanted to find a program that dealt with veterans.

"It's very different from just regular service animals and the service animals for veterans and first responders and so to have that kind of understanding was really good," she said.

Rogers recommends the program to all veterans and first responders suffering from PTSD or traumatic brain injuries.

"A lot of us don't leave the house or even like to talk to other people after we get out. And it's such a weird transition because ... when you're in, you feel confident in what you're going to say, what you're going to do," Rogers said. "Then you come out and you suffer from PTSD or TBI and you're a whole different person. You're not the same person that you were, and you feel kind of broken down."

She said having a service dog helps her see a future for herself. Chips gives her a reason to keep going.

"Kind of stay alive, you know, because you're staying alive for them in a way," she said.

"You can kind of see where you're going in the future," Rogers said.

Sindeldecker says her favorite part is "seeing the change."

"Just watching them grow and change through the process and become who they used to be and who they are aspiring to be," she said.

Whether they're a newly certified service dog or a long-term one, Sindeldecker reminded people to avoid distracting them.

"Ask if you really feel the need (to pet the dog), but mostly it's ignoring them as any other medical equipment," she said. "A lot of times those dogs are trained for alert procedures ... so if that dog's distracted, they may miss those cues."

Sindeldecker said if a medical emergency were to take place while that dog is distracted and it results in a serious injury or death, then the person who caused the distraction can be charged with a felony.

Those interested in going through the Dogs 4 Valor training should talk to their physician to see if the program could be beneficial for them.

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