Readjusting to civilian life can be difficult for military veterans, especially those dealing with permanent physical injuries or psychological issues.
Susquehanna Service Dogs (SSD) trains dogs to assist with the unique needs of these heroes, including post-traumatic stress disorder, physical disabilities, balance and hearing. We’ve been working with veterans since 1993. And in the past two years, we’ve placed four dogs for these heroes. And four more veterans are on our waiting list to receive a dog.
Dogs and Heroes: Clicking Together
The SSD program uses clicker training to mark desired dog behavior. We also use treats; it makes working with dogs easy! But the dog is only half of our program. Each veteran must attend two-and-a-half weeks of intensive team training. We train veterans to use clicker, hand or voice cues to signal their dog. And we teach them how to handle their dog at home and in public. They also learn about the dog’s care, feeding and veterinary needs.
Labs Are Our Top Choice
We primarily train black and yellow Labrador Retrievers because they tend to have few health problems, require limited grooming and have the right temperament. Even so, we created our own breeding program because we have very stringent guidelines. Our dogs must exhibit excellent manners and “go potty” on cue. All of our dogs must master basic obedience skills and perform them on- and off-leash. We evaluate our canines from puppyhood through adulthood, and from initial to advanced training, to monitor their suitability as a service dog.
Dogs for Heroes: Helping Veterans Lead Independent Lives
A well-trained service dog can change a veteran’s life. It’s very gratifying to provide those who served our country with the right dog. We place dogs in a five-state region. And Pennsylvania veterans receive a dog at no cost, thanks to the generous support of the Pennsylvania chapter of the Order of the Eastern Star. It costs $20,000 to raise and train these dogs, so SSD through Keystone Human Services gladly accepts donations.
Get to Know Gnat and Navy Veteran Nancy Lee
Nancy Lee (I’m using just her first name to protect her privacy) says her service dog, Gnat, has enriched her life in countless ways. Nancy Lee uses a wheelchair and has limited mobility as a result of degenerative disc disease and multiple traumas. She was in an auto accident while stationed at the Naval Air Station in Jacksonville, Fla., then aggravated her injuries while serving as a law enforcement officer in Texas. Nancy Lee’s health was compromised yet again in another auto accident as she was en route to Penn State University to pursue a degree in psychology.
On campus, Nancy Lee met a SSD dog/client team and looked into the program for herself. In March 2010, she was partnered with SSD Gnat, who has transformed her life. “People say service dogs can physically open doors for you, but Gnat helps me emotionally and mentally as well,” says Nancy Lee. “He has given me so much more independence and does many things for me. For example, the other day, Gnat kept doing ‘touch’ to get my attention and alert me to the door. Apparently, I left my keys in the lock and they were jingling in the wind. Gnat heard and was letting me know.”
Photo: Getty Images
