Work Like A Service Dog 🐕‍🦺

We missed "National Work Like A Dog Day" by a few days, but how could we not celebrate our service dogs! One common question ESGH Veterans Program Staff Member Dr. Jennifer Wright gets about service dogs is about how often it takes to train them. Her answer is always “it depends on the dog…and you - your availability, motivation and determination.”

Recent clients Nyanna and her service dog, Macy, have come a long way in a short amount of time. They have had five in-person training sessions and attend weekend classes through the ESGH Train Your Own Dog Program.

Nyanna says, “Allie with My Service Dog was one of many trainers I spoke with and ultimately decided to put my faith in. Now, after training with Allie, I can go into HEB, Walmart, and even a mall. Macy is drastically different, having been your typical lab puppy, as am I. I feel better because Macy is trained now. She stays next to me, helps with my bad panic attacks and agoraphobia.”

Nyanna is also attending our “Reclaim Your Power” series, and we are celebrating her amazing steps forward. For her to train in public and attend an in-person mind/body workshop speaks to the ease at which Macy now provides for her. The animal human bond is a gift - and Allie just brings that beauty out!

-Jennifer Wright, PsyD, Veterans Program, Case Manager, Service Dog Coordinator and Trauma Sensitive Mindfulness Certified Practitioner, Easter Seals Greater Houston

Thank you to our sponsors and community partners who support our Veterans Mental Health and Service Dog programs: Catholic Charities: Archdiocese Of Galveston-Houston, The Coleman Family, Darri Ofczarzak, The George Foundation, My Service Dog, Powell Foundation, The Ruth Jones MacDonald Charitable Trust and our Youth Action Council.