Podcast: Play in new window | Download
Join host Ellie Rau in this week’s episode to learn how service dogs improve the lives of veterans and how those veterans build a relationship with the adult dog they receive.
Service dog training typically takes around 2 to 2.5 years to create a reliable, well mannered, and capable dog. Se
rvice dogs in some cases are just as vital to their handler as a wheelchair, cane, or prosthetic device. They can provide life saving blood sugar and seizure alerts, retrieve someone to help in an emergency, provide comfort during anxious situations, and so much more.
Veterans who return with PTSD and mobility disabilities are among the ones in need of service dogs most. Listen in to hear how veteran Shane Ayres learned how to bond to Tango, the 2.5 yr old service dog he received in the Summer of 2020 and how that dog has enriched his life.
This can create problems down the line, where dogs begin misbehaving, unclear of what rules they should or should not follow, all due to a lack of understanding between the person and their pet. A dog that has a solid foundation of obedience training not only is more well behaved, but is usually happier and feels more understood.