(MENAFNEditorial) Jennifer from Peru, Indiana received a very special delivery today of her very own custom trained PTSD Service Dog. Jennifer's service dog, Geer, was delivered to her from to help her better cope with the constant fears and concerns of living with PTSD. Based in Madison, Virginia, Service Dogs by Warren Retrievers, or 'SDWR, has a mission to provide specially-bred and trained dogs for people with invisible disabilities like Diabetes, Autism, Seizure Disorders, or in the case of Jennifer — Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder or 'PTSD. SDWR has over 600 service dogs working across the United States and around the globe. SDWR is currently serving over 1,000 families.
Geer, a Labrador Retriever PTSD Service Dog, recently graduated from SDWR's . This specialized program is where hard-working volunteers raise puppies in training for over the course of approximately one year. Both the dogs and raisers must accomplish the foundation and skillset training provided through SDWR trainers at their facility in Virginia.
This training program is what sets SDWR apart from other non-profit service dog organizations. SDWR trainers will continue to return for training sessions with Jennifer and Geer every 3-4 months over the course of the next 18 months. During this time they will continue working on Geer's customized training, follow-up training, and training the human to make a successful team and public access certification. SDWR trainers work directly with each individual to provide service dogs that fit their unique diagnosis.
Geer is also an honored graduate of the . The Fallen Officer Puppy Program, or 'FOPP, is an initiative by SDWR to pay respect to the legacy of service by fallen American police who have sacrificed their lives in the line of duty. Geer is named in honor of fallen Deputy Sheriff Derek Geer of Mesa County Sheriff's Office, Colorado, who succumbed to gunshot wounds he sustained while attempting to question a juvenile in 2016. Geer's work as a PTSD Service Dog with Jennifer will carry on in memory of Deputy Sheriff Derek Geer's life of service before self.
Jennifer's PTSD affects her by not allowing her to be able to leave her home without constant fear and anxiety. She used to go out with her husband almost every weekend and even in the evenings when they had time. Since the loss of her son in December 2015 her PTSD has grown worse. Her raised anxiety levels whenever she leaves the house is something that can't be ignored and Jennifer is hoping a service dog will help give her her confidence back. Geer will assist Jennifer when she needs to go in public, wake her up when having a PTSD related nightmare, and be a part of the family.
By accompanying and supporting Jennifer on a daily basis, Geer will assist in reducing the traumatic effects Jennifer encounters living with this invisible disability. Since Geer is a service dog and covered under laws in accordance with the Americans with Disabilities Act, he will be able to accompany Jennifer everywhere — from going on walks, to attending church, and running errands.
Service Dogs by Warren Retrievers is a nonprofit organization based in Madison, Virginia, and relies on donations to help the organization in its mission, 'Until there's a cure…there's a dog. To make a donation or learn more about SDWR, please visit the website, . To learn more about PTSD Service Dogs go to .
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