Constant companions
DOGS WITH JOBS
This bond goes far beyond simply owner and pet and opens doors to greater independence.
Stacey McNutt-Lindsay would awake from gripping night terrors that would leave her shaken, and afraid.
She always had her dog, Timber, for comfort. But today Timber plays a far more important role, sensing the onset of night terrors and responding.
“I start to sweat and he licks me and wakes me up,” said the 31-year-old Onslow Mountain resident. “He helps with large crowds so now I can shop without another person being there.”
Timber was underweight and malnourished when McNuttLindsay adopted him from a shelter in May 2014. She took him home to be a friend and walking companion. And he was a good one.
But in August that year, McNutt-Lindsay faced a lifechanging event. She suffered a severe head injury. Along with the night terrors she had PTSD and felt unsafe in public places.
It was her mother who discovered Heather Logan and Maritime Specialty Service Dogs Society (MSSDS). Logan, president of the organization, evaluated Timber and found him a suitable candidate for service dog training.
Working together, Timber and McNutt-Lindsay went through basic obedience before moving on to service dog skills. It was all done through clicker
training and positive reinforcement.
Timber will now position himself behind McNutt-Lindsay, providing cover in certain situations, such as shopping.
“He’s made a big difference to me,” she said.
“He gives me independence back. I was always scared of things happening before. He tries to remove me from situations when I’m uncomfortable. He’s given me my self-esteem back. Without the program and Timber, I don’t know where I would be.”
Kim Cavanaugh, a veterinary technician who attended college in Bible Hill and now lives in Enfield, wanted to take the service dog program to become a better trainer.
She adopted TeeJay through the SPCA. TeeJay was one of a litter of 10 from Cape Breton, and the only female.
“I got her as a housemate for my other dog but Heather saw something in the dog – and a need in me – and she guided me,” Cavanaugh says. “One year later we’re a fully functioning family again.”
Cavanaugh had been experiencing a lot of stress and anxiety. Although she was seeing a therapist, daily life was difficult.
“TeeJay brings me a sense of calm,” she said. “She’s a connection to home and I feel grounded when she’s with me.”
When the dog senses she is becoming too stressed she will tap her leg to get her attention. She sometimes sits on her feet or climbs up and sits on her lap.
Although Timber and TeeJay were already with the people they were trained to assist, most of the MSSDS dogs are found in shelters and matched with people. A few are donated by breeders. They all receive extensive socialization so they are prepared for many situations.
MSSDS has trained dogs for people with autism, cerebral palsy, PTSD, diabetic or epileptic alert and more. All funding comes through the community so there is no charge to the people who need them.