I write this post with a heavy heart. I ask you to take a minute to please read….

When starting out organization, we put into place polices and procedures for *retiring* a dog and Veteran paired. Knowing this will happen one day, and thinking it would be for obvious reasons (health, age).  Donna and I also talked about the long term effects from being a PSD dog and the lack of research. This is a fairly new classification of Service Dogs as we are personally setting standards as well as measuring the results. With that being said, I announce Troopers and Jamie’s retirement…..

There are times when doing the *right thing* is a harder choice. Taking in all three points of view, the organization, the dog and the Veteran…

As an organization, Donna and I are the voice for the dog. We have had to make some hard decisions based on what was best for our dogs. Our Veteran’s have support;  the VA system (health care, Dr.s, Therapist,) Lawyers, family and friends to go to when needed. The dogs have no one, but us.  And sometimes that voice needs to be heard. In this case, Trooper voice was saying: ‘I have had enough, I can not do this job anymore.’   Troopers actions were sadly supporting that voice; He was shaking, becoming withdrawn, fear in strange situations. When Jamie called to share the turn of events, his voice cracked, fear and sadness streaming through the phone….”Something is wrong with Troops” was all he could get out…

Taking Trooper immediately back to Stiggys Sanctuary, The next 48 hours of observation  was hard on all involved. The decision to make was obvious (retirement). Trooper needs to just be a dog, run and play happily with no more *work*. I called Jamie and asked him to come over to talk about it all. I was worried, the bond between Jamie and Trooper is so strong, what was this going to do (emotionally) to Jamie? The next hour of conversation was filled with emotion, the loss and sadness within Jamie was overwhelming. We all cried, for a days actually, but the end result and decision from Jamie was the most honorable one. I have never been so Proud ….

Written from Jamie Gorm:

Jen, Donna, and I had to talk something wasn’t right with Trooper, I was scared. I didn’t know what to do with my boy, there was something wrong and he didn’t want me for some reason (way out of character for him).  Jen and Donna explained that Trooper was trying to tell me the job was to much, he needed to just be a dog. Knowing this would kill me, I was devastated just as Jen and Donna were. I felt sick I wanted to die, I didn’t care at first- I wanted him to continue to work, he had to. I went home and a great friend called. That night I thought so long I cried my wife cried. I prayed for the first time in years I couldn’t remember how. I did my best. I fell asleep after a sleeping pill and woke up in the middle of the night missing Trooper. I reached over to pet him he was not there. I picked up my phone and opened my picture gallery and started looking at the pictures, the big brown eyes that open to an innocent beautiful soul. I started thinking about what would he want, he wants a life that is enjoyable as I do he needs to be happy most of all it hit me he saved my life, he gave me a reason to get out.  I owe this partner, he is so much more, he deserves to be happy. I have to do the right thing. I can’t be selfish with him he has earned the distinct honor of retirement and helping another veteran this time as a dog to run lay in the sun play fetch all day swim in the lake.
Trooper I love you and will never forget you.
Indebted
Jamie

 *Trooper is feeling good, healthy and happy as a dog living at Stiggy’s Sanctuary. He will be adopted out as a Companion Dog in the future.

*Jamie is currently fostering Gunny and we will be looking and training a new PSD for him soon.