How do I apply for a Psychiatric Service Dog?

Stiggy’s Dogs provides Psychiatric Service Dogs to all Military Veterans and Active Limited Duty Veterans.  A Diagnosis of Post Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD),  Traumatic Brian Injury (TBI) or related disorders. A note from your  Dr. stating you would benefit form a Service Dog. We interview each Veteran and family to make sure both needs will be met for Veteran and dog before considering placement. If you are interested, or know somebody who is, email for application,  jennifer@stiggy’sdogs.org

What is a Psychiatric Service Dog?

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.

What type of training do your dogs get?

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. Training time frame depend individually on the dog and the Veterans needs, ranging from 2-6 months. (Half of training is done with the Veteran)

What specific tasks do you train for?

Each dog is individually trained per Veterans needs. All dogs are highly socialized in public areas, stores, restaurants,etc.  Examples of tasks asked to train for include:Remind when to take medications, trained by alarm clock to wake Veteran up on time, carry Medications for them, divert through a crowds, sit and “Watch my back”.

How can I donate a dog?

Sitggy’s Dogs go through an evaluation and temperament testing in which s/he will be exposed to a variety of different people (including children), other dogs and animals, handling, noises, traffic, novel objects, and retrieving and training aptitude . We may accept some donated dogs from the public into our program, but fairly few dogs will meet the rigorous criteria to be accepted into the program.

Where do you get your dogs?

All our dogs come though other Rescue Organizations, Shelters, Animal Control and Humans Societies. We believe that many mixed breed and rescue dogs can be trained an make wonderful service dogs. Keeping with our mission of “Rescuing One to Rescue Another”

I have a dog already. Can you train him to be my service dog?

Things to consider: Our dogs work work in very challenging environments involving close contact with strangers, large crowds, noises, and all manner of novel objects. Most dogs justifiably find these things frightening. You also have to consider the dogs energy level: is he  too active, energetic, or reactive to new things. Despite the fact that a service dog is trained to do many tasks, a good portion of his job involves simply waiting quietly at his partner’s side. Stiggy’s Dog is looking into adding this our services, but currently we do not offer personal ranting classes. Please email us if you are interested and will can compile a list and let you know more when this is available.

How much does a Stiggy’s Dog cost?

FREE! All our dogs come trained and certified. We supply the crate, bedding, specific toys, leash, collars, dog tags, Service Dog Vest, spayed/neutered, all up to date on immunizations and heart worm medication. A complete Doc Stiggy Handbook created specifically for each Veterans, detailing their dogs behaviors, training, commands, likes/dislikes, Veterinarian papers and Certification cards. If you live in the Jacksonville, NC area, we are a part of “The Charitable Wellness Program” through Banfield Pet Hospital.  Also provided is a lifetime of continued training.