Many of today’s warriors have post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) and traumatic brain injury (TBI), and often physical injuries as well. A Next Step Service Dog can be trained to assist you and respond to your individual needs in unique ways such as:
- Create a strong peaceful barrier between the client and perceived threats
- Provide comfort and calming influence during times of stress
- Provide balance and support or assist you in sitting or standing
- Alert you to important sounds such as the doorbell, phone, your name being called, or your child crying
- Retrieve items, open and close doors and cabinets, operate light switches and automatic door openers.
- Seek help for you in emergencies
- If you become disoriented in a crowded room, the dog can be trained to lead you to an exit.
- If you have nightmares, the dog can be trained to wake you, or to turn on the lights or music in the room.
- Some dogs eventually learn to recognize early signs of anxiety in their partners and can be trained to give an alert and thereby re-focus their partners, who can then use strategies they have been taught to cope with the situation.