How does Stiggy's Dogs contribute?
Stiggy's Dogs transforms shelter dogs into individually trained Psychiatric Service Animals for our military veterans living with Post Traumatic Stress Disorder and Traumatic Brain Injury at no cost to the veteran. Like guide dogs for the blind, Psychiatric Service Dogs aid people with mental illnesses and traumatic brain injury. These dogs are taught specific tasks ranging from reminding veterans to take their medication, waking veterans up from nightmares and directing veterans through large crowds.
All of our dogs are rescued. The come from rescue organizations, shelters, animal control agencies and humane societies. We believe that many mixed breed and rescue dogs can make wonderful service dogs and provide a mutually beneficial relationship with a veteran living with PTSD and/or TB.
By doing this, we are rescuing one to rescue another.
If you would like to apply for a service dog, please send an e-mail to info@stiggysdogs.org
How did Stiggy's Dogs come about?
HM3 Benjamin Phillip ("Doc Stiggy") Castiglione dedicated his
life to preserving and improving the physical and emotional health of those serving in his
unit, and all who serve. He gave his life working as a Corpsman in Helmand Province in
Southern Afghanistan, taking care of "his Marines" until September 3rd 2009.
HM3 Benjamin "Doc Stiggy" Castiglione, was respected by his Marines and known for
his determination, professionalism mixed with sharp wit. To his family he is remembered
for his caring nature, his love for family and dogs. This organization, in memory of Doc
Stiggy will honor him by 'Rescuing one to help rescue another.'
So what is a Psychiatric Service Dog? (PSD)
Like guide dogs for the blind, Psychiatric Service Dogs aid people with mental illnesses, from anxiety disorder, Traumatic Brian Injury and Post Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD). These dogs are taught specific tasks ranging from: reminding veterans to take their medicine, waking them up from a nightmare or alarm clock ringing, to directing them through a crowd.
So how does that apply to Stiggy’s Dogs?
Stiggy’s Dogs all pass the Canine Good
Citizen Certification, and then be paired with their handlers for further training. Since
each person is an individual, and each experiences their disability uniquely, then each
Stiggy’s Dogs are individually trained to meet their Veterans specific needs. Studies Show that 1 in 8 soldiers returning from Afghanistan and Iraq will have
some symptoms of Post Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD). Feelings of anxiety,
depression, detachment, make returning to civilian life a struggle for these Vets. 82%
of patients with PTSD who were assigned a dog had a decrease in symptoms, and 40%
had a decrease in the medications they had to take.
There are estimated 5 million dogs sitting in shelters across America, many to be euthanized. Many of those dogs could make an excellent Psychiatric Therapy Dog for a Veteran. By uniting them we are 'Rescuing one to help rescue another.'
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