Rusty and Henry are
just one of the many
success stories
just one of the many
success stories
This is Henry, a Veteran
and his Service Dog Rusty
and his Service Dog Rusty
There is Hope for
Veterans suffering from
Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder
Veterans suffering from
Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder
Rusty and Henry are
just one of the many
success stories
just one of the many
success stories
This is Henry, a Veteran
and his Service Dog Rusty
and his Service Dog Rusty
There is Hope for
Veterans suffering from
Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder
Veterans suffering from
Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder
Saving Lives
Through the Healing Power of the Human-Canine Bond
New Life K9s primarily services people who have been diagnosed with Post Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD). Service dogs have proven to reduce the need for medication for those suffering from PTSD, prevent homelessness, suicide, and incarceration as well as save community resources.
A veteran with PTSD needs a dog that has the proper training to go with him/her anywhere in public where dogs are not otherwise legally allowed. It is the public access skills that are the difficult part of the training, requiring a very special dog.
Training service dogs also improves the lives of those who train them. Dog training teaches leadership, patience, discipline, positive communication, confidence, and problem solving.
Success
Stories
Team Caramel
Caramel graduated in July of 2018, and is currently working with Robin, a local Psychologist, who helps many Veterans with PTSD.
Team Red
Red graduated in February of 2018, and is currently serving his First Responder, Danny.
Team Gregor
Gregor graduated in February 2018, and is currently serving his First Responder, Darren.
Team Kalli
Kalli graduated in December of 2017 and she is currently serving her Marine Veteran, Doc.
Team Porsche
Porsche graduated in June of 2017 and she is currently serving her Veteran, Pat Nolan (in the middle known as the "Dogfather").
Team Crocker
Crocker graduated in June of 2017 and he is currently serving his Marine Veteran, Jeff.
Team Dani
Dani graduated in January of 2017, and is currently serving her First Responder, Randy.
Team Rico
Rico graduated in September of 2016 and he is currently serving his Vietnam Veteran, Paul.
Team Nichols
Nichols graduated in April of 2016, and served his Vietnam Veteran, Bruce.
Team Zeus
Zeus graduated in June of 2015 and is currently serving his Army Veteran, Jonny.
Team Josie
Josie graduated in June of 2018 and is currently serving her Army Veteran, Mario.
Team Hope
Hope graduated in June of 2018 and is currently serving her Navy Veteran, Allen.
Team Eddie
Eddie graduated in June of 2018 and is serving his retired Police Officer, Greg.
Team Rusty
Rusty graduated in December of 2017 and is currently serving his Veteran, Henry.
Team Dixie
Dixie graduated in October of 2015 and is currently serving her Navy Veteran, Mike.
Team Cole
Cole graduated as a service dog in December of 2020. He was placed with his Army veteran, Dave.
Team Angel
Angel graduated as a service dog in December of 2020. She was placed with her Army veteran, Brian.
Team Ned
Ned graduated as a service dog in December of 2020. He was placed with his Air Force veteran, Tracy.
Team Geege
Geege graduated as a service dog in May of 2020. Her recipient Jordan is a recreational therapist who works with incarcerated men!
Team Country
Country graduated in June of 2020 and is currently serving his Marine Veteran, Shannon.
Team Gregor
Gregor graduated in June of 2020 and is currently serving his Army Veteran, Stacy.
Team Robbie
Robbie graduated in October of 2019 and is currently serving his Coast Guard Veteran, Freddie.
Team Quinn
Quinn graduated in October of 2019 and is currently serving his retired Firefighter, Chris.
Team Jett
Jett graduated in October of 2019 and is currently serving his retired Fire Captain, Mike.
Team Sonny
Sonny graduated in October of 2018 and is currently serving his Veteran, Craig.
Team Lobo
Lobo was placed as a Warrior Support Dog in October 2020. Both of his parents are veterans.
Team Blitzen
Blitzen was placed as a Warrior Support Dog in December of 2020. His recipient Terry is a Navy veteran and is excited to have a dog again!
Team Cooper
Cooper graduated as a Warrior Support Dog in June of 2020 and is currently serving his Veteran, Glenn. He is also a Stud Dog for the program.
Team Dazzle
Dazzle graduated as a Facility Therapy Dog in June of 2020. She was placed with Santa Barbara County's Regional Peer Support Coordinator who hosts support groups for first-responders in San Luis Obispo, Santa Barbara and Ventura Counties. Dazzle will be supporting first responders across all three counties!
Team Donovan
Donovan graduated as a Student Support Dog in October of 2019! He is now called Lonnie and currently serving veterans and students at California State University Channel Islands.
Team Doc
Doc graduated as a Student Support Dog in October of 2018! He is currently serving veterans and students at California State University Channel Islands.
Team Gracie
More about Gracie coming soon...
Team Emily
Emily graduated in December of 2017, and is currently serving her First Responder, Debbie.
Team Toby
Toby graduated in October of 2018 and is currently serving his Veteran, Art.
See the positive impact and the transformational results this program offers.Watch Mike’s inspiring video.Mike was an inmate at the California Men’s Colony in San Luis Obispo and he was one of the dog handlers that train the puppy's to become PTSD Service Dogs. Listen to Mike tell his story about Eddie, the puppy that changed his life.
Eddie and Mike
Tummy tickles at New Life K9’s
Puppy Eddie and Mike
Early days at CMC
Eddie and Mike
Kisses at New Life K9’s
The tasks that service dogs can perform to meet the needs of a veteran with PTSD can include waking him up from a nightmare and even turning on lights, reminding him to take medications on time (even bringing the medication to the person), bark on command to warn off a potentially threatening stranger, and helps to decrease levels of anxiety. Many veterans take medications that affect their balance. A service dog can assist with balance by performing a “brace” command in which the veteran can use the dog’s body to steady himself.
It takes about 1 year to train an adult dog for public access and to complete approximately 60 tasks on cue. Although training for tasks can start as early as 4 weeks of age, dogs do not develop the maturity for public access (being allowed in restaurants, grocery stores, etc.) until 2 years of age.
