Training Weekend, Part Two

The Veterans; Terran Frye (Marine), Mike “Skully” Hopp (Army), Ben Wickler (Marine) and Dan Chappel (Army).

Ben drove the farthest, Indiana, and since Terran, Mike and Ben already knew each together, the weekend started on Friday, not Saturday, as I had planned. I was excited for all of them to be here and was stressed that I wasn’t properly prepared for their arrival. I was equally not prepared when Mike showed up with (maybe) his new dog, who found him, Bella.  It wasn’t about me, this was about them….

Things work out a way for a reason, everyone got to spend an extra day with their dog, which was perfect. Watching each of these guys grow with their dog over the 72 hours….was amazing. I am so glad we have it on video, and it will be great to show them the difference each week, and month, and so on that they are with their dog. But it was more than just the time spent with the dogs. There was some great time where we talked, each shared stories, some funny, some hard to hear. They helped each other  with VA Benefits,  and they watched and supported each other though training with their dogs. It was great to have Dan here, cause he got to meet these guys, and they had a change to spend time together too. The camaraderie…. It was great watching this aspect of what we are creating, a place where Veterans have for each other.  At one point there were two snoring Veterans, passed out on the couch for a few hours, resting for the next training session….

Donna and I learned a lot just observing, this giving us more insight into ‘their world’ and creating the perfect Psychiatric Service Dog for them. The missing piece of this weekend was clear to all of us, and now I am really on my mission!!!   Our permanent place:   Stiggy’s Sanctuary;  land that will house our training facility, but also have cabins or yurts, to house the Veterans. That way they can leave and go home separately, away from us and the other dogs, to spend some quiet time together, Stay overnight together……One day that will be. For now, thank you guys for your patience and working through this with us!

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Training Weekend at The Barracks. Part One

I cant even begin to know how to properly write about this past weekend. So many things, so many perspectives. I decided to write it in three parts, The Dog, The Veterans, and us-Stiggy’s Dogs.

I will start with the Dogs. Our current recruits in training, Bella, Stiggy, Hershey, and Stella.

We all moved in together, in one day. All dogs have lived separately, already in the training process but with their foster/trainers homes. They became pack quickly, with the help of our Director of Training, Donna. It was difficult transition for all (us and dogs) for a few days. Within three days Donna had all the pack working, living, eating and sleeping together. (She is magic). The routine was established and we were ready to invite the Veterans to come meet, train and stay with their potential dogs. As much as you think you are ready……your never ready…….ever……

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Oh what a day, indeed!

Well, I am not even sure where to start. …..

Ben Whickler arrived almost right on time walking in at The Barracks when Donna arrived. Perfect timing for me. I was a little worried about Ben’s and Stella’s initial meeting and I was glad Donna was here to help with it. Stella, out of all the dogs, has taken this adjustment the hardest. Since we saved Stella life, she has been in two different homes, three counting this last move. Her anxiety is normally high, and meeting new people sometimes took some time…..Immediately Donna took Stella and Ben out back and away from the others dogs. They needed some alone time without distractions. As soon as Stella and Ben were in the other room, Stella peed, yup, she let loose all over the floor…nice big smelly urine puddle. That was another trouble we have encountered with the move for Stella, she isn’t sure where/when to go potty. So within 5 minutes of meeting Stella, Ben got to witness both her faults. I couldn’t imagine what Ben was thinking, and slightly embarrassed…..

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Clarification:

I have received many emails lately from Veterans and Case Workers inquiring about our program, and our time line. I want to explain a few very important facts.

When starting Stiggys Dogs organization I did much research on Therapy dogs. There are different classifications and a very gray line as the laws around Service Dogs. At that time (1 1/2 years ago) there were a small handful of organizations that were paring dogs with Veterans. Two famous organizations were pairing Companion Animals, and two National organizations that were placing Service Dogs.

I have explained the difference before, but I feel I need to expand on why we choose to go the Service Dog avenue. Maybe one day we will incorporate Companion Animals, but not until we have this system in place.

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The Barracks: Night 1


Feel insane, what was I thinking????…….

Not wanting to hear any ‘kudos’ but to honestly talk about sacrifices. As I slept on the couch, the smell of ammonia  hung in the air, from Stella who peed in her crate and had laid in it. As much as I cleaned her crate I realized it was her that needed to be cleaned…………

Cold morning, pending ice storm heading our way. Me dressed in jeans, striped socks pulled up, tennis shoes, sweat shirt, and my red bathrobe pulled over it all for extra warmth. Joe and I were hosing down the walls and floors of the warehouse. Filthy, is all I can say.  Somewhat better, I think……..

Stella howling and whining, not liking at all being in a crate all night. In fact, all these dogs were crated for their first night in a long time. All needed to be in their den (the living area of the Barracks) and sleep as a pack. All crates were strategically placed around the room. Poor dogs, If I were them I would be secretly want to ‘gang up’ on Stella. I mean really…..it was worse than pathetic. I slept on the couch in the room, with a constant heart beat rhythm sound machine playing. You might think that would be soothing. No, it was kinda creepy actually. The only saving grace was the radon train going by that sounded like it was coming through the walls at me. That silenced Stella for a second…..

Coffee….thank goodness for the coffee machine there. Thank you Donna.

Sweet moments of one on one time with each dog. They all crave it now and it makes them all the more want to ‘work’ to please. Every second we spent was having them do ‘something’ to get a reward, which was mostly some butt scathing and ear rubbing. Except the times I caught Joe with Hershey and Bella (separate moments too!) laying on the floor ‘spooning’ them…..

Tired, sore, feeling very very old……

Then I think about what all this is for. It’s for our Military Veterans that have spent time in Afghanistan, Iraq and other countries……and I am complaining about a sleepless night on the couch….