• Paws for Veterans Inc. brings "Major" to relieve PTSD symptoms • Airman helps train personalized PTSD service dog • PTSD service dog senses symptoms and engages owner in positive activity
Photos
MINOT AIR FORCE BASE, N.D. -- Major, a Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder service dog, was adopted and trained by Tech. Sgt. Barbara Mendiola , 5th Force Support Squadron lodging supervisor, following her deployment to Afghanistan in 2006. Major is certified through Service Dogs of America and is trained to sense Mendiola’s PTSD symptoms and engage her in positive activity. (U.S. Air Force Photo/ Tech. Sgt. Aaron Allmon)
MINOT AIR FORCE BASE, N.D. -- Major, a Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder service dog, was adopted and trained by Tech. Sgt. Barbara Mendiola , 5th Force Support Squadron lodging supervisor, following her deployment to Afghanistan in 2006. Major is certified through Service Dogs of America and is trained to sense Mendiola’s PTSD symptoms and engage her in positive activity. (U.S. Air Force Photo/ Tech. Sgt. Aaron Allmon)
by Kiley Swopes
Minot Air Force Base Public Affairs
11/20/2012 - MINOT AIR FORCE BASE, N.D. (AFNS) -- Imagine a pet trained to understand the side effects that come with Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder. Imagine a pet trained to understand your symptoms to aid a path to recovery.
One such pet resides at Minot Air Force Base and is helping a member of Team Minot every day.
Meet Major, an adopted Chihuahua and trained PTSD service dog, who meets the needs of Tech. Sgt. Barbara Mendiola, 5th Force Support Squadron lodging supervisor.
PTSD is an anxiety disorder that can occur after one has seen or experiences a traumatic event that involved a threat of injury or death to the individual or others.
Mendiola's PTSD was diagnosed after her return from a deployment to Afghanistan in 2006.
Major is certified through Service Dogs of America. Mendiola became aware of Paws for Veterans through the Wounded Warriors Project.
Paws for Veterans Inc. is a community-based, nonprofit organization that provides service dogs, training, supplies and therapeutic group sessions to Veteran and Active Duty men and women struggling with Post Traumatic Stress Disorder, Traumatic Brain Injury and Physical Disabilities.
What sets Paws for Veterans apart is that the owner assists in training their own service dog with instruction from a staff of dog trainers. Each dog is trained specifically for their owners needs.
According to the program, having the ability to train your own service dog builds confidence and a sense of accomplishment. This method creates a bond between dog and owner that is unmatched by other methods.
"I adopted Major from the pound and have had him for over a year now," Mendiola said. "I have trained him to sense my stress, anxiety and depression."
The program strives to improve not only the lives of service members but also the lives of the dogs that are rescued by placing them in loving homes with service members in need.
"His major function for me is if someone surprises me in my office, he will start to growl to let me know someone is coming," Mendiola said. "If I get nervous around new people or in crowds, he will initiate play."
According to the National Institute of Mental Health, PTSD symptoms can be grouped into three categories: re-experiencing, avoidance and hyper-arousal. Symptoms can include flashbacks, nightmares, feeling emotionally numb and being easily startled.
"Being Active Duty means I have to work," Mendiola said. "I can be more productive if I can be relieved of my PTSD symptoms in some way."
Major is trained to sense Mendiola's PTSD symptoms and engage her in positive activity to refocus her attention.
"I'm better than I was before," Mendiola stated. "I can't say that I am totally recovered because I still have nightmares, but he makes my life easier."
Comments
12/4/2012 1:33:34 PM ET TSgt Mendiola as long as your little chihuahua doesnt bite you'll be ok. Every dog growls here and there especially if they feel their owner is in danger. It really doesnt matter what other people think or say as long as you feel safe. PTSD is very hard to over come and it takes A LONG time but me and my family are wishing you get well soon.
Ed, Florida
12/1/2012 11:22:16 AM ET I didn't realize my comment was cut off. So here's the rest short and sweet.A reputable program would have washed the dog out for growling. There are better ways for a dog to alertsignal. Initiating play or social interaction are not tasks they are normal aspects of having a dog. Currently PSDs for VetsAD are a cash cow with programs popping up overnight wanting to jump on the bandwagon so one must do their homework or risk ending up with an expensive washout. The bad programs are making it worse for ALL SD handlers. As the spouse of an AD MM and a SD handler myself these poorly trained dogs are of great concern.
AJ, Maryland
11/27/2012 11:30:44 AM ET There are so many aspects to this story that could be picked apart that I would run out of room like AJ did. I have not walked in the TSgts shoes so I will focus on the positive and say get well to TSgt Mendiola.
Me, Here
11/27/2012 1:40:53 AM ET Several things stand out about this story. First while the program is well-meaning most people do NOT have the skills to successfully train their own service dog even with professional assistance. There are also the emotional financial and other decisions that are faced when one must wash out a service dog in training. When you start dealing with PTSD or other mental illnesses the emotional side of washing out a dog can be devastating to the handler. Unfortunately the programs that use shelter dogs and offer owner-assisted training have higher washout rates than other programs with established breeding facilities. Second the so called 'certifying' body mentioned in the article is a joke. They will registercertify ANY dog sight unseen for a price. This type of certification means absolutely nothing and does not prove that the animal has been task trained or has the appropriate public access behavior.Third hearing that this dog growls to alert to someone comin
AJ, Maryland
11/23/2012 8:58:30 PM ET Yo Quero PTSD...
Speedy, Gonzalez
11/21/2012 5:00:14 PM ET Thank you for your service
Major, Colorado
11/21/2012 2:05:50 PM ET Calling TSgt Mendiola's PTSD dog a little taco bell dog was very disrepectful and it angered me. I am former Army married to an Active Duty Air Force member and it takes guts to put yourself out there. I commend TSgt Mendiola for sharing with us her story...even if the article only supposable shared some of the entire story. Thank you TSgt Mendiola for keeping all of us safe God Bless
G.B, Langley
11/21/2012 10:01:59 AM ET PTSD is a very serious issue I believe the article did not say she works the front desk for all you know she might work in a management office. Also the article did not mention that Major wakes her up from recurring nightmare and the Tsgt is being treating on a regular basis at her mental health clinic. Please show a little respect for those who have been in the front lines and willing to die so you can post negative statements. She is not the only one who has a PTSD dog on active duty. PTSD dogs are issued from CMSgt-SSgt's
friend, Minot
11/20/2012 2:14:04 PM ET having a little taco bell dog that growls everytime someone comes to the front desk at billetting is not very inviting. this is a terrible AF.mil story. I dont see how you can train a dog yourself and then claim that it senses your PTSD. PTSD is a serious illness to have and needs to be treated. But at the same time. Having a little growling thing on a leash at all times does not portray a professional image in uniform.
