Psych Dogs America

Hey everyone! This will be a long read, but well worth it. I promise. I thought I'd share a letter that will help you all understand why it is that we do what we do with our charity and how it effects people's lives. The following is used WITH PERMISSION and the names have been changed for privacy. I hope it helps you realize why we are here. And please note that Sammy was in a shelter, then trained by prisoners at a prison in Virginia as a service dog and then placed with this family. So honored that we could help make this possible and change lives.

"Darryl, we made a 4 hour trip to pick Sammy up on July 7th, spent the night in VA and picked Sammy up on the 8th. He is adjusting well to us. Immediately took to our other dogs. He is doing very well on the grounding task and a "buffer" task where he circles Jasons body to give him a buffer between Jason and other people, which is great for Jason, since he does not do well in crowds. We take Sammy to a park, store, or some public place every day and every day we are told how well behaved he is. Which makes us very proud of Sammy, because he is learning so much so quickly. He probably hasn't experienced things like grocery stores, noisy wheeled shopping carts, squealing babies, shopping at home improvement stores, swimming at the beach (with other dogs--way bigger than him), fishing and crabbing, taking daily walks, the fire house a half a mile from my house (noisy), etc., etc., but he is doing amazingly well, learning quickly and experiencing all of these new things like a sport! The best part of all...after Jasons trauma and before Sammy came to us, Jason wouldn't go to a store, mall, take a walk, spend an entire day out of the house (sometimes he didn't leave the house for days). Now that he has Sammy, he goes out every day, if at least for a thirty minute walk at the park or around a store or anywhere that will benefit Sammy and prepare Sammy for his full time job of accompanying Jason to school. Not only does Jason go to the store, he smiles! Because people look at Sammy and smile, so it makes Jason smile. It is teaching Jason that not all people are bad and that it is time to start trusting and living again. And he feels safe enough with Sammy to do so. Sammy is the best medicine Jason has ever had! He continues to "zone out" but with Sammys help, I think Jason is going to be OK! The private school he was attending would not allow Sammy. So Jason has opted to enroll in the public school. The school welcomed Sammy gladly. The board of education sent us a publication especially put together for the Baltimore County Board of Ed in reference to service dogs. Pretty interesting read! I'm impressed. Anyway, I just wanted to send you an update, and to thank you again for your help.

I think Jason would be very happy to know that you are using our letter, as an example of how your organization has helped us, especially helped Jason. And also, Sammy! Sammys life has changed greatly because of your encouragement. Sammy was awesome with the exception of separation anxiety! LOL He had everything it takes to be a great service dog! So...pair up a dog with separation anxiety with a kid who needs the company of a dog 24/7/365 and you have got a match made in heaven! LOL

Well...that rope we were at the end of...it turned into a leash with a wonderful, cute, smart beagle at the other end of it, which has put a big smile on Jons face and we're feeling a lot more hopeful these days! "

So, within a month, this young teenager went from not leaving his house, being depressed and spaced out all the time, afraid of crowds from his trauma and in a matter of weeks, because of his psych service dog Sammy - not only has his life changed, but so has his mothers life. And Sammy went from a high-kill shelter to saving his forever family. Who saved who? I know I ask myself that question all the time.

So, if you want to know why we do what we do - that's it. To change lives with those with psychiatric disorders with psych service dogs

An emotional support animal is NOT a service animal.