25 Jan 2017 Service dogs changing lives of veterans

Story and photos
by Callie Sterling

Service Dogs of Distinction has been improving the lives of veterans since October 2015.

The Arkansas organization was co-founded by Don Gardner and Marsha Wyatt. “Our nation’s veterans have given so much to us; it is time we give something back to those who have already given so much,” said Gardner, who lives near Rose Bud.

In just a little more than a year, Gardner and his team have officially provided 10 veterans with a service dog. The program is a 501 (c)(3) non-profit and relies heavily on donations and volunteers.

“At this time, we have paired 10 veterans from all over the state with their very own service dog,” Gardner said. “It is important to us that the veteran is not burdened financially. We provide the veteran with a leash, collar, crate, bed and safe dog toys. We also like to cover the cost of the first initial veterinary visit. The veteran inherits the natural costs of owning a dog such as food and medical costs, but we really like to help as much as we are able. We are also available by phone for the veterans 24 hours a day.”

Interested veterans complete an application and interview. “The first step to obtain a service dog from our organization is filling out an application,” Gardner said. “Next, we do an interview with the veteran and any family members that will be living in the home with the dog.”

A background check is completed by Service Dogs of Distinction for all applicants. Board members review the results of the background checks with an open mind. “There may be things in the background check that are a result of post traumatic stress disorder (PTSD),” Gardner said. “We always are open-minded, but we also want to make sure the environment is safe for the service dog.”

To qualify for the Service Dogs of Distinction program, veterans must suffer from PTSD or a related diagnosis, provide a copy of their DD214, be enrolled in therapy and provide a safe environment for the service dog. “The members of our program all suffer from PTSD and other service-related traumas,” Gardner said. “We require that they are enrolled in therapy before they qualify for our program.”

The service dogs that are accepted into the program are often donated or rescued from an animal shelter. The dogs must possess a certain demeanor to be selected. “We have had dogs donated from families that have to be relocated for work; donated from breeders; dogs that we have adopted from shelters; and various other situations,” Gardner said. “It is imperative that our dogs have a certain personality. We prefer them to be calm and attentive. The dogs have to pass certain tests before they are approved to become official service dogs. The dogs will eventually watch their veteran every 15 to 20 seconds, so they need to be extremely aware of their surroundings.”

The program offers a benefit for the dog who is adopted as well as the veteran. “Not only are we saving the lives of many of these veterans, but in many cases the dogs as well,” Gardner said. “As often as possible, we try to identify and train dogs from local humane societies and shelters.”

From start to finish it takes approximately 60-90 days for a veteran to complete the Service Dogs of Distinction program. Once the program is completed, the veteran is able to officially take ownership over the service dog. “We complete training sessions with both the veteran and the dog for many weeks until both are ready to graduate from our program,” Gardner said.

Graduates of the program have seen vast health improvements and often a higher quality of life. “Each of our current graduating teams is functioning very well, with a heightened level of social activities and a reduction in medications (where doctor approved),” Wyatt said. “They all show noticeable signs of improvement over their previous condition.”

Service Dogs of Distinction often holds social outings for members. The group has gone to sporting events, restaurants and movie theaters.

“We took the members out to a Razorback baseball game this past summer,” Gardner said. “We have been to Crystal Bridges as a group. Sometimes we just take trips to Lowe’s or Home Depot for a training session. Anytime we can get these veterans out of the house and back into everyday activities, it is a good thing. If the activity requires admission, the organization pays for it. We fund these activities through donations.”

Gardner has more than 30 years of training experience. He trained as an arms and explosives K-9 handler and trainer in Nottingham, England, with British military personnel. Developing Service Dogs of Distinction has been his lifelong dream.

Along with Gardner and Wyatt, there are three additional board members who oversee the program: David Martin, Gary Vickory and Christina Bull. Vickory himself is a graduate of the Service Dogs of Distinction program.

For more information about Service Dogs of Distinction or to make a donation of any kind, please e-mail Gardner at [email protected] or call 501.730.3928.