There is no “one size fits all” when it comes to PTSD. It’s a near-demonic affliction, one that doesn’t care how strong a person is, but wants to simply pull them apart. It’s a fire that can be lit in myriad ways – military veterans whose service put them in impossible situations, victims of unspeakable crimes whose effects echo on, the abused whose torment endures long after their abusers are gone.
It wears many faces, which is part of what makes PTSD such a formidable enemy. But even its vaunted evil is no match for the simple gentle touch of a trained service dog.
“It’s about behavioral interruption,” said Ashley Douglas, owner of Paws on Learning. “Someone with PTSD is having an episode, whether that’s a panic attack or anxiety, and the dog is there to recognize that and interrupt their handler so the handler can see it’s happening and utilize the strategies they’ve worked with their psychologist to develop … in hopes that they can heal, so eventually a service dog won’t be needed.”
Ashley Douglas, owner of Paws on Learning, with her clients Finn and Pippin.
Douglas has long helped Lowcountry dog owners refine their relationships with their pooches, leading Paws on Learning classes that drive home obedience and communication. When she began hearing more and more from clients who were hoping to train their dogs as service animals, she sought out This Able Veteran. This Illinois-based organization was formed to give trainers like Douglas the tools to shape dogs into PTSD service dogs.
“I had a great experience with This Able Veteran. Without them, I wouldn’t be able to do this,” Douglas said. “They primarily focus on PTSD for military veterans, but PTSD doesn’t just affect those in the military. And while there are emotional support animals and therapy dogs, a service dog provides tasks. They work with their handler to help them through their disability.”
By teaching dogs how to recognize signs that their handler’s PTSD triggers, and to then either interrupt the behavior or use deep pressure to guide their handler through it, Douglas is now helping her clients who deal with this cruel affliction. Two of them are pictured here, Pippin and Finn.
“They’re both about five years old,” Douglas said. “These dogs are considered service dogs in training, or SDIT. … It takes a lot of time, practice and consistency.”
Finn started with Paws on Learning four years ago, making his way through the pre-K program all the way up through the college level. Once Douglas was certified, she was able to take Finn through grad school, teaching him the finer points of being a service dog.
“Finn has been with Ashley since he was a puppy. The training he receives as well as the support we get from Ashley has made Finn the dog we always wanted,” said Finn’s owner, Ruth. “It has also built a solid foundation for his service dog training. We could not be happier.”
While he’s a little newer to the program, Pippin has already made great strides.
“Since I began working with Ashley at Paws on Learning, Pippin has shown great progress,” said Pippin’s owner, Maggie. “He may always have a naughty side, but to know his personality and how to handle him has given me great hope. Since my anxiety has grown and kept me from going out more, I now have hope that with Pippin, my confidence will grow. I am hopeful that I can go out without the disabling anxiety that has kept me inside for so long.”
Ella (a rescue from Lovable Paws) Hunter, and Ashley pose for a photo after one of their first “meet and greets”.
Hunter practicing with Ella at a beach on Hunting Island.
And that is, ultimately, what all this training is for. The training Douglas received allows her to shape these dogs into service animals, augmenting the obedience training of Paws on Learning. The training she provides these dogs helps them not just be better companions, but to be a vital part of their owners’ healing process.
Hunter and Ashley working with Ella as they introduce a new training collar.
“There are so many things you can train service dogs for – diabetic alert, seizures, etc.– but I chose to focus on PTSD service dogs because I have a lot of experience with people in my life and loved ones who have suffered from PTSD, so I’d really like to work with people who have that trauma,” Douglas said. “Of course, the other key component is actively working with a therapist. A person has to be diagnosed and actively working with a therapist, because a service dog is only one piece of the healing process. A service dog can help their handler through an incident so they can then work on themselves.”
Finn has his eyes firmly on Ashley, awaiting his next command.
To those suffering from PTSD, it’s no small thing. In that moment, when the anxiety and terror are caving in on all sides and it seems there’s no way out, that reassuring nudge or gentle set of paws can make a world of difference.
“It’s exciting to see these people be so excited about this opportunity for their dogs,” Douglas said. “My other staff members have been rock stars working with obedience training and running the day care so I can take on these sorts of special projects.”
To learn more, visit pawsonlearning.com.
Ashley works with Pippin at Veteran’s Park in Shelter Cove.
