My Journey from Hopelessness to Hope Renewed

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Written by K9 Partners for Patriots

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Service Dog Team Spotlight | News | Testimonials

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September 10, 2018

Discover why flea markets may not be the best environment for service dogs.

Learn about risks, distractions, and considerations for handlers.

1. Crowded Environment: Flea markets are often bustling with crowds, which can be overwhelming for a service dog. The dog may become stressed or anxious in such a busy atmosphere.

2. Distractions: Flea markets are filled with various sights, sounds, and smells that can distract a service dog from its duties. This could potentially compromise its ability to assist its handler effectively.

3. Unpredictable Behavior of Other Animals: Other visitors to the flea market may bring their pets along, which can lead to encounters with unfamiliar animals. This may pose a risk to the safety and focus of the service dog.

4. Risk of Injury: With so many people moving around and browsing items, there’s an increased risk of accidental tripping or stepping on the service dog, which could lead to injury.

5. Exposure to Unsanitary Conditions: Flea markets may not always maintain the cleanest environment, and the service dog may come into contact with unsanitary surfaces or substances.

6. Lack of Accommodation for the Dog: Flea markets may not be equipped to handle service dogs properly, such as providing suitable resting areas, water, or relief spots for the dog.

7. Potential Stress for the Dog: A flea market’s constant stimulation and unfamiliar surroundings could cause stress or discomfort for the service dog, which may affect its overall well-being and ability to perform its tasks.

Given these factors, it’s important for service dog handlers to carefully consider whether taking their dog to a flea market is truly necessary and in the best interest of the dog’s welfare and effectiveness in assisting its handler.

My Journey from Hopelessness to Hope Renewed

by K9 Partners for Patriots | Sep 10, 2018 | Service Dog Team Spotlight, News, Testimonials

I was medically discharged from the Army in 2011, after serving nine years on active duty. My plan was to do my twenty years and retire. Unfortunately, a serious neck injury derailed those plans; instead stripping me of my identity and leaving me jobless in July 2011. I learned that no briefings, videos, or training had prepared me for life after the military. What was once a promising military career path turned out to be an abrupt dead end.

What was once a promising military career path turned out to be an abrupt dead end.

After being discharged, I struggled to adapt to civilian life, and the injury to my neck left me with chronic severe pain and made finding employment all but impossible. To add further insult to injury, the VA misdiagnosed my PTSD symptoms, resulting in them ignoring my mental health. As time went by, my symptoms remained unchecked, and continued to get worse. A downward spiral began and my marriage fell apart, I lost my house to foreclosure, and I was forced to move in with family. I was now divorced, bankrupt, seriously broken, and at an all time low!

From Our Darkest Moments Come Our Brightest Blessings

Eventually, my self-medicating with alcohol wasn’t enough, and I started using street drugs to numb out. This self-destructive behavior got me kicked out of the house, and I was homeless and couch-surfed for just shy of two years. My rock bottom (and ultimately my salvation) came when I was arrested in 2014. The judge gave me two options: option one, to go through the regular judicial system and have the arrest go on my record. The second option, was to complete the Veterans Treatment Court (a program designed to take veterans and rehabilitate them through the VA) with the goal of having all charges dismissed. I chose the VTC route, and during treatment was diagnosed as suffering from PTSD. In speaking with my mental health doc, the conversation came up regarding my unhealthy tendency to withdraw and isolate myself from others, and she suggested I look into getting a service dog.

I then started to research service animals and how I could get into a program that provided a trained dog. I was shocked and dismayed to learn that most of these organizations have wait-lists over a year. To add to that the cost of the service dog made it something I couldn’t afford.

I was shocked and dismayed to learn that most of these organizations have wait-lists over a year.

Then, I stumbled upon K9 Partners for Patriots; I remember finding their website in the middle of the night, reading and re-reading it numerous times. I found myself fighting back this feeling of excitement that was growing in my stomach. Here was an organization that took a tedious process, and broke it down into easy steps. Steps, that I could take right away to get the ball rolling… I submitted all the paperwork online and received an email the following day from Wil stating my application was received. He wanted to know a good time for me to come in for my screening interview. I started this process in November 2017, had my screening interview in December 2017, and was paired with my future service dog in January 2018. The moment I stepped through the doors for my initial interview, Mary Peter and her staff, treated me with the utmost respect. Though I came in a stranger, I left feeling as though I had just been reunited with long lost family.

Hope Renewed…

After the initial interview I was waiting for a dog to become available. The dog selection process at K9P4P isn’t what you might think, as you don’t pick the dog – instead the dog picks you. This “dog picking the human” process might sound weird to you, just as it did to me. However, when you experience it first-hand, it is nothing short of incredible! K9P4P staff had warned me several times, that I may not go home with a dog the first few meets. They encouraged me to be patient and trust the process. Lucky for me, Sir Remington picked me the very minute he laid eyes on me. Remi ran straight at me, jumped into my lap, and proceeded to lick my face – literally ignoring the other veterans sitting around me.

We started our training together in February of 2018, and graduated as a successful service dog team in May the same year. Words cannot express just how much K9P4P and Remi, have changed my life for the better. Remington is my battle buddy; I find that I trust him to have my back in public. Instead of me watching everyone else, I relax and pay attention to him. He alerts me if someone is coming up behind me, he also picks up on my adrenaline spiking and will calmly place his head in my lap – prompting me to focus on him and as a result relax. He sleeps with me and has drastically improved my sleep habits. He wakes me up from nightmares by resting his head on my chest, his way of calming me down so I can fall back asleep.

While I used to be withdrawn, there is simply no way to be withdrawn when I take Remi out in public. I am stopped regularly, and complimented on how amazing Remi is. These interactions pull me further from the pit of isolation that I used to call home. These small, seemingly inconsequential, interactions are re-wiring my brain on how to trust and interact with society as a whole. I find myself looking for new environments to challenge Remi and I, adventures that will further our training and the incredible bond we share. Remi has been the catalyst in giving me my life back. He has given me new-found purpose; he depends on my taking care of his needs, as much as I depend on him to take care of mine. We are inseparable and together we are unstoppable.

Jimmy & Sir Remington’s Story

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K9P4P isn’t just about service dogs and their handlers. They are a family of veterans and veteran supporters, who share not only a military bond, but also the bond of going through weekly training together. Fellow veterans offer words of encouragement when someone’s having a rough week, or their dog isn’t listening. Many times you will see veterans arriving early and staying hours after class to catch-up with each other.

Before K9P4P I had no friends. After completing the 19-week program, I now have several friends. We often meet up and do life outside of K9P4P with our service dogs by our side. I cannot express how grateful I am for K9P4P, from Mary and her staff, to the safe environment they create every week. My life has been forever changed for the better! I am glad I took that first easy step, filled out the questionnaire online, and submitted it. While there are still no videos, briefings or training to prepare one for the struggles of post-military life, Remi has given me courage and the strength to face each new day!