Britnee & Service K9 Odin
Air Force veteran Britnee was discharged in 2012 and she graduated from the K9 Partners for Patriots Service Dog Training Academy with her K9 partner Odin, in Nov. 2024.
Every Little Thing...
I was having a hard time leaving the house by myself, sometimes even getting out of bed. If I had to go into a store, I’d have a panic attack. Every little thing was extremely overwhelming.
I was actually at the VA in Brooksville for a mental health appointment when I saw a pamphlet for K9P4P. I had already talked with my counselor about getting a service dog and knew she was on board. I called K9P4P right away and scheduled a meeting. Since I struggled with leaving the house alone, I took my mom with me. Both of us were welcomed into the K9 family.
I'm More Comfortable
Since Odin and I have graduated I have been able to go into Walmart by myself for longer times. I’m more comfortable stopping and talking to people about him than what I used to be. Before I used to try to ignore people and avoid getting into a conversation. But over time, since we’ve been together, it’s become easier.
When I get anxious Odin puts his head on me or gives me his paw, and that’s him telling me ‘OK, I’m here.’ Also there’s just a lot of times when he makes us all laugh together… just being goofy!
Service Dogs Break the Isolation
Service dogs definitely bring you together. I have to get out more with him. We have been doing a couple more family outings, where that would have been harder for me.
When you’re both (Owner and dog) first learning what you’re supposed to do, it becomes a lot. I would do most of his training at home a couple minutes at a time, throughout the week. Especially after your graduation you have to be more out in the world with them and it gets a little easier with practice.
He's Changed My Life for the Better
K9P4P is worth it because he’s changed my life for the better. It did take time and a lot of frustration but I’m glad that I stuck with it. I made a family and I live a better life. I have the support of everybody and all of them on my side.
I’m more open if I have to go somewhere quick by myself and not always having Odin right there by my side so the program has been doing wonders for me. For me to be able to do that.
Dealing with the public has gotten easier. In the beginning, I did find myself trying to figure out a way to not really answer people. But now I’m more open to sitting there and having a conversation about him (Odin).
Service Dogs and the Public
At this Walmart out here in Homosassa, they’ve been cracking down on the non-service dogs. And I remember my first couple of times somebody asked me about him and I was kind of ornery, but after I’ve practiced what I had to say and going through them (K9P4P’s preferred message points) it’s gotten a lot easier.
I’ve had a child following us and try to pull my dog’s tail and the mom not do anything about it. I finally had to step in front and educate the child and her parent. And Odin doesn’t have much of a tail. He just tucked in and looked at the child like ‘What are you doing?’
There are also times when people come up to Odin and me, so we just get up and walk away. Sometimes kids come up and try to pet him, and he just looks at them and looks at me like ‘What are you doing?’
But normally I tell them very nicely, ‘You can’t touch him. He’s a working dog right now.’ People have gotten better at advising their children. Even when we’re walking by, they know that’s a service dog. So that has gotten much better. I’ve noticed that a lot more in the past year when I’m out with Odin.
Invisible Wounds — Real Disabilities
The misconception the public has is that if they can’t see it (the disability), the service dog must be fake. They don’t always see what he does for me. And I’ve gotten plenty of dirty looks over time.
Another misconception is that service dogs always have to have their vest on. In the program, we cover that. When the dog’s going to a place like Home Depot, they don’t always have to have it on. If I’m going to a store and he doesn’t have his vest on, some people end up freaking out…’ Why doesn’t he have his vest on if he’s a service dog? What’s going on?
Conclusion
For her spouse, she says, “He loves it. He loves that I’m not always so anxious and he doesn’t have to figure out how to take care of me when he’s gone, because he works all the time. I love that I can go get food now. We can actually go out and do more things as a family as well. It’s not just me being at home and not wanting to be around people. I wouldn’t be doing half the things I do today if it weren’t for K9P4P. They’re amazing. It’s a great feeling!
It helps your overall mood and your body, even. I know he (Odin) helps keep me in shape too! He can be a wild one and I’ve got to be up and moving myself… It works on me and he helps that. I am super happy with all the progress I’ve been making.
