Chris Weber

Chris Weber, who has been with GAMSD for about 3 ½ years as a Development Project Administrator, joined the organization after recovering from a Traumatic Brain Injury. (more…)

In honor of Women’s History Month, I would like to share my experiences as a female CEO and Founder of three non-profit organizations (a service dog organization, an Institute for Higher Learning, and a veterinary teaching hospital. I have loved all animals my entire life, had extensive experience with multiple species including training dogs professionally for most of my life, in addition to managing big box stores. (more…)

What is a Traumatic Brain Injury?

A TBI is caused by a violent blow, shock wave, or jolt to the head or body. It can also be caused by an object piercing the skull and entering the brain. When it comes to traumatic brain injuries (TBI), individuals experience different levels of severity and disability that result from the injury. (more…)

If you are going to be paired with a service dog, it is important to be prepared to with the correct knowledge and supplies needed to provide proper care to your service dog and set yourselves up for success. There are several things that you will need that we can explore below…

Keep a Water Bowl or Bucket Available

Just like a regular pet dog, your service dog should always have a water bowl or bucket available to them. You can place the water bowl/bucket in a room where they can access it easily. It’s best to place the water bowl/bucket on a mat or a towel to soak up any mess as some dogs can be very messy drinkers. Be sure to clean and refill it with fresh water daily.

Bedding

While many dogs sometimes prefer the hard floor, it’s always nice to provide them with a dog bed in the main areas you spend time in such as your living room, kitchen, or office. I would suggest one in your bedroom, but chances are your service dog may want to sleep in bed with you.

Toys for the Service Dog

When you receive a service dog through Guardian Angels Medical service Dogs, we already know what toys your service dog prefers. Because our dogs are large, we are very particular about the types of toys we use, so we will provide the appropriate toys at your pairing. Our service dogs will need toys that can withstand the wear and tear they put on them. Lower quality toys or plush toys can be easily shredded into pieces that the dog could consume, thus creating a potential serious or even life-threatening medical emergency. We never allow rawhides, cow hooves, etc., or any consumable toys.

Training Equipment for Your Service Dog

Training equipment will also be provided to you when you are paired with your Guardian Angels Medical Service Dog. This training equipment should never be changed without the advice from one of our trainers. Other people may do things differently than how are dogs are trained. Our dogs are not accustom to any harsh methods or training equipment. Our training methods are highly specialized and positive. We will teach you everything you need to know, and our trainers are always available to answer your questions or concerns.

Do I Need a Fence for My Service Dog?

At Guardian Angels, we highly prefer you have a fenced in yard, so the service dog has a place to run and play. Exercise is very important, even though they are working 24/7, they need to be able to play at least twice a day to stretch their legs, play ball and relax their minds. If you don’t have a fenced in yard, then you will need to find a place nearby that is fenced in. You can check out areas such as school yards, church yards, local community parks, etc. where your service dog can play ball, run, and have a good time while safely within a perimeter.

AVOID DOG PARKS with Your Service Dog

At Guardian Angels, we never allow dog parks for our service dogs for multiple reasons. They are a great place to pick up diseases, internal and external parasites such as worms, fleas, ticks, etc. Also, we never want our dogs to be in a situation where they would be challenged or jumped by an aggressive dog. Such an event can change their psyche making them defensive which could render them inappropriate as a service dog in the future. This is very serious, so protect your service dog. He is your lifeline.

Establish a Routine

When you first bring your dog home, we ask that you plan to stay home and continue your normal daily activities such as grocery shopping, working, going to school, etc. for the first couple of months. Do not host or attend large parties, attend concerts, go to shooting ranges, or other major activities in the beginning. This is because you and your service dog need time to bond. It’s very important that you get to know each other first and become comfortable with each other while doing everyday activities before adding any major activities as mentioned above. You should also talk to our trainers to be sure how to approach any new major activity as not all things are appropriate for a service dog or should be done in stages. Your trainer will advise you to insure your success.

Do Not Add Any Pets to Your Home

On the application, you will be asked what pets you already have in the home. These are the pets you can maintain once you’re paired, and no others. There are many variables we consider when choosing the most appropriate dog for you and your environment. If you tell us that you have goldfish, but you actually have three cats, the service dog may not cohabitate peacefully with them. Many of our dogs are fine with cats or other animals when working in public, but not all of them will share a home with other pets appropriately. Do not add pets to your home without notifying our trainers prior to considering such an addition.

Want to Learn More About Service Dogs? Contact us Today!

At Guardian Angels Medical Service Dogs, we are happy to answer any questions you may have about service dogs and how to prepare your home for when you are paired. Contact us today to learn more at www.medicalservicedogs.org

Source: ‘You can see the changes’: At Plum event, Veterans attest to value of medical service dogs

Excerpt:

“As a sufferer of post-traumatic stress disorder, Army veteran Debbie Richey left her house only rarely.

That changed with some constant canine companionship.

“I finally started to be able to go out in public. At first, I was a little afraid. I wasn’t sure. I never had a dog before,” Richey said. “I started taking chances: I’m going to see if I can do this. And every time I did, she was right there with me.”

Navy — ironically named as a pup, considering Richey’s branch of service — went through two years of training with the Williston, Fla.-based nonprofit Guardian Angels Medical Service Dogs Inc. before being paired with her veteran.

“They handed me this leash and they said, ‘From this day going forward, you’re not going to be without this dog.’ And I couldn’t wrap my mind around that. How do you not go anywhere without a dog?” Richey recalled.

But the arrangement works:

“It made me happy with my kids. It made me a better mother, better wife.”

To read the full story, please visit: https://triblive.com/local/valley-news-dispatch/you-can-see-the-changes-at-plum-event-veterans-attest-to-value-of-medical-service-dogs/

Photo: Harry Funk | Tribune Review

Be Consistent in How You Behave and Communicate. Being a responsible human partner to your dog is accomplished by learning to understand how your dog thinks so that you’re not doing things that can confuse and frustrate your dog. Being consistent is key, just as unclear messages often result in the dog having undesirable behaviors that you may have caused. Don’t make something okay some of the time and then not okay at other times. For example, you can’t give him bites off your plate sometimes and then expect him not to beg other times. You must be clear and consistent with your messages. (more…)

Bryan Carpenter joined the Marines in 2005. In 2006, during his service overseas in Iraq, he hit a roadside bomb that placed him in a medically induced coma. He woke up weighing 120 lbs. and had to learn to walk, talk, and live all over again. (more…)

Sylee Gibson, our new Human Resources/Development Director at Guardian Angels Medical Service Dogs, joined our organization in January and works remotely from Cleveland, TN, where she lives with her husband, Jerry, and their 4-year-old daughter, Gabriella. (more…)

If you are looking for a way to gain education on the communication between people and dogs, understand dog behaviors and how to train your dog, check out Good Dogs! podcasts. (more…)

Service dog from Guardian Angels Medical Service Dogs

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