NEXT STEP SERVICE DOGS

NSSD is reducing the surging demand for well-trained and effective service dogs by supporting clients in training their own dogs for service or by pairing them with suitable donated dogs to train.

Many traditional service dog providers spend up to 2 years training the dogs, and only 2 or 3 weeks training the dog and veteran or first responder together, then send them home, with follow-up support by phone. NSSD offers a different but highly successful program that trains both dog and veteran or first responder to learn together during 2 hour training sessions, 3 times weekly, typically for 5 months (longer or shorter as needed) at our training center and in public settings. Providing a sense of safety and method of achieving calm is another major goal. The dog in various positions around the client at the supermarket provides balance and bracing and creates space. Immediately getting help when the client falls is a big help. This extensive customized training over 5 months trains the dog/client team to learn together, become deeply bonded, and become confident and skilled in coping with extreme anxiety/anger/confusion in public and at home. If they also have mobility issues, the dogs are trained to assist those also. Both dog and client become creative, and can develop additional behaviors and commands to suit their needs which can change over time. Both staff and volunteers are on hand to meet with a client in distress, and resolve rental/business/work-related questions/issues that occur during and after training. Clients have told us, "I would not be here today without my service dog and the wonderful training provided by Next Step Service Dogs." Spouses have said, "Thank you for giving me my spouse back." These amazing service dogs bring new freedom and joy to the client and to their family. It is an honor to know these clients, see their courage, and see them embark onto a new more independent, joyful life.

We evaluate the status of each dog and client through weekly reports, monthly trainer meetings, emails, and phone calls as each team progresses. Once a dog is assigned to a client, we track the progress of each dog and client through trainer evaluations the Access Test milestone and the Certification Test milestone, which completes the certification of both dog ad client. Getting certified is the successful outcome, and often followed by additional training for further benefit and camaraderie. Upon certification, clients submit monthly status reports for 6 months, often attend additional training sessions, and annually submit reports to renew their service ID card and status. Additionally, a veteran volunteer contacts each client at least once a year to see how each client and dog is doing.

We have trained, certified and placed over 150 service dogs in 10 years; a major accomplishment in the PTSD service dog field. We have trained over 15 trainers. We have placed numerous dogs to facilities that specialize in PTSD/TBI's.