Improvise. Adapt. Overcome. Three little words with big meaning. Time and time again, Donna and I have followed this motto.  At the end of 2012, we sat down to look at how Stiggys Dogs can better the program and with much excitement. I share with you now, the New Stiggy’s Dogs Programs ….. *drum roll*

Our waiting list is so long, that I cant even begin to guess a estimate time for our Veterans, the demand far outweighs the supply. And it is not just us, but the other organizations doing what we do. We received numerous emails from Veterans, so  frustrated with the wait that the have gone out and gotten dogs on their own and looking for help to train.  So what to do? Improvise, Adapt, Overcome …..

Stiggys Dogs will now offer three programs to our Veterans….. Train your own, Companion Dog and Psychiatric Service Dog.

Program I: Train Your Own Dog This program has three levels: Basic Obedience, Advanced Obedience, and Tasks and Public Work. Thisis for veterans who have a dog already and wishes to have their dog become more obedient or continue to train up through Service Dog specialty task training. Dogs will be evaluated for temperament and have a Canine Intelligence Profile performed by Stiggy’s Dogs Trainer before training will begin. Veterans and their dogs attend weekly classes with a Stiggy’s Dogs Trainer.

Level I: Basic Obedience:
We will offer Basic Obedience Class for Veterans that currently own their own dog. This can  help create bonding, increase communication, patience, build confidence in both dog and handler, and understand basic dog language. Upon completion of course, veteran and dog teams have the option to join an advanced class and work towards passing the AKC’s Canine Good Citizen.

Level II: Advanced Obedience:
What: Open to veteran-dog teams that have passed the Basic Obedience level I. This class offers advanced techniques designed to improve the handler-dog relationship through off leash training in a controlled setting. Dog/Handler teams will work to pass the American Kennel Club’s Canine Good Citizen Evaluation at the end of the course.

Level III: Tasks and Public Work:
This course is open to any veteran/dog team who has passed both Level I & II as well as the AKC’s CGC. This course will cover public outings and veteran-specific tasks and work toward the team passing the Service Dog Public Access Test.

Program II: Companion Dog
This program is for veterans in need of a buddy. A Stiggy’s Dogs Trainer will accompany the veteran to the Oakland County Animal Shelter and assist in the selection of the dog and perform temperament evaluation and compile the Canine Intelligence Profile. Veterans will receive a Doc Stiggy Pet First Aid& Care Manual. These dogs may have limited training to start, but the veteran can chose to join one of our training courses.

Program III: Psychiatric Service Dog (PSD)
This program is for veterans in need of a Psychiatric Service Dog to mitigate symptoms of PTSD and/or TBI. Stiggy’s Dogs will have pre-selected and trained a dog for the individual needs of their veteran Handler. Psychiatric Service Dogs are highly trained dogs to mitigate a psychiatric disability, and legally allowed to go everywhere with their Handler, including but not limited to schools, hospitals, restaurants, hotels, sporting events, mass transit, and all manner of public places. These dogs are not allowed to seek or gain attention from the public; their sole function is their Handler’s needs.

AND, the achieve this, I am excited to announce the addition of Stiggy’s Dogs trainers!! Current Apprentices:

Mathew Sica- Mat has been working with us for the past year. Mat helped trained current Stiggys Dogs, Zoltan, Bentley and Major. Mat will be working the Detroit Area.

Angel Vogal: Angel works as a trainer at Dogs Bay. She lives in Holland Mi and will be serving the West side of the State. We are lucky to have her ….

Lynda Gibson: Lynda has helped train and foster two current Stiggy’s Dog, Brutus and Corpsman. Lynda has been involved with Stiggys as a Board Member for 2011-2012 as well. She will be working with the Mid-to Upper Michigan Veterans.

We hope to start the first classes April! We also will be offering a way for the Veterans to help raise the money themselves, making it easier/faster financially for both Stiggys and them. We have been working hard to make this transition and we thank our Veterans for their patience. We look forward to these changes as another way to help “Rescue One to Rescue Another” ….