Indiana PTSD Dog Training
**Due to the high demand of inquiries, we will no longer respond if a person does not know the differences between a therapy dog, ESA and actual service dog. If you do not have tasks in mind for a dog to learn to qualify them for public access and actual service dog credentials, we will kindly ask you to research them under the ADA. Service dogs are not for everyone and although it is a popular idea, we recommend often that someone does NOT get a service dog. It takes an incredible amount of time, energy, and effort, not to mention funding to make this happen. We are again offering our service to find a service dog candidate for clients. We will also screen pet dogs for the work that you currently own and have proven to properly care for. Proof of employment is also required.**
A service dog can transform a person’s life. We’ve been privileged to see how special this bond can be between a working dog and their handler. Please learn more about our program below and feel free to contact us with any questions.
What is PTSD?
Post Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) is a psychiatric disorder that can occur following the experience or witnessing of life-threatening events such as military combat, natural disasters, terrorist incidents, serious accidents, or physical or sexual assault in adult or childhood.
These feelings of anxiety, confusion, fear and anger may not go away and can directly interfere with a person’s daily life and activities.
PTSD Service Dog Training
A trained service dog can provide a sense of security and independence for a person with PTSD. They are trained to provide comfort, reduce anxiety and are able to assist in a medical crisis.
PTSD Service Dogs: 
- help adjust serotonin levels
- help lower blood pressure with episodes of depression and anxiety
- provide companionship
- provide medication reminders
- calm their handler before and during panic attacks
- prevent people from crowding around or rushing up on their handler
How does your program work?
Our program is different than other service dog training programs. We do not have a wait list. We do not begin the search for your future dog until we interview and learn about your lifestyle and skills a dog needs to help you with, it is a not a “cookie cutter” approach where we send you the dog, give you a few sessions and you are on your own. We offer much more support, enabling you to become the trainer for a minimum of three months of training together, once approved into our program. It empowers our clients and we have been privileged to see amazing transformations with these handler and dog matches.
First, we have an initial, free consultation with you by phone or email. It is important that the person suffering from PTSD is fully committed to their service dog candidate we find and choose for them. This typically requires a minimum of intense training for 3-6 months or more with one of our certified trainers. The dog is living with their handler after the match is found. Our time together is dependent on the progress of the client and their handling skills with their new partner.. Our goal is to make each match as successful as possible and that is a team effort from all participants. **If you cannot or will not committ to the required training time frame, we are not the program for you. We do not have a ‘one size fits all” training protocol for service work and train each dog to fit each person’s specific, individual needs.**
Can I have my current dog trained to be my service dog?
Yes, sometimes a pet dog can become a working animal with the right training. We have successfully completed this process and have seen good results in the right circumstances. However, we require an evaluation of the dog’s temperament and abilities prior to starting. Temperament is crucial. Most pet dogs will not be able to successfully do this work for their handler at no fault of their own. Pet dogs often have some sort of “quirk” that may include: shyness, reactivity, fearfulness, aggression towards specific animals, over arousal issues and more. They often can be great pets but do not have what it takes to be a working dog. And that’s ok. 🙂 If you are interested in seeing if your current pet dog may be a candidate, we can start with an evaluation. Please inquire for more details.
Where do you find a match?
We partner up with local rescues and shelters in Carmel and also have reputable breeder connections for young, adult dogs and puppies. We typically search for dogs that are medium to large in size with excellent temperaments. The breeds we have chosen successfully in the past include: German Shepherds, Labs, mixes, and others that have successfully fit our requirements. Finding the right match for you is the most crucial, challenging part of this process. Dogs are heavily screened, taken through initial Public Access work and have a foundation of training before matching.
Interested in learning more? Please Email, or call, (317)249-0768 for details.