Service & Protection Dogs for Women

When you think of a Service or Protection Dog, what comes to mind? A beautiful German Shepherd wearing a harness with a handle, guiding a blind person or an attentive Labrador helping someone who is deaf or in a wheelchair.

Dogs have been known as man’s best friend for a long time. Now more than ever, this is true, as we become more familiar with the human-animal bond, we find more ways that the relationship between a human and a dog can actually help to heal the human. Dogs are now visiting nursing homes and hospitals and helping to bring moments of peace and happiness to someone who is lonely or in pain.

Any person who has been through a traumatic experience can suffer pain in the form of depression and post traumatic stress syndrome. Women who have been assaulted or abused can suffer also from repressed feelings of guilt and shame. These feelings can literally take someone’s life away. It becomes hard to perform simple tasks and going into public can become impossible without bringing on anxiety attacks. This causes the person to be isolated which aggravates the depression. A woman will also be afraid to go out alone because she can no longer trust her fellow human and she feels vulnerable.

A German Shepherd that has been specially trained to assist and protect a person can be a vital key to giving this woman her life back. The dog, if trained and certified as a Service and Protection Dog will be able to accompany the woman into all public places and help make her feel more comfortable and safe as well as being a friend to lean on if an anxiety attack should happen. The training is custom tailored to the individual client as each person has special needs and the dog will learn cues to help a person leave an uncomfortable situation.

The trainer really takes on a dual role as trainer and handler of the Service Dog during the training process and must also be familiar in helping the woman learn to handle and trust the dog and will play an important role in helping the woman to make her first trips out in public. The trainer will need to be familiar with the psychiatric needs of a patient with post traumatic stress disorder and will assist the person if they need medication or experience an anxiety attack in public. It is a lot to learn to handle the dog and deal with all of the feelings of being out in public, so the handler/trainer must assist the person if needed.

The Service Dog will become extremely bonded to its new owner, as the German Shepherd has an uncanny ability to sense the needs of a human and will adapt it’s training to very specific needs of each client.

Gatorland K-9 and Ted & Dawn Hoppe are proud to offer our German Shepherd’s to help with this very specialized role of Service Dogs.

Comments (20)

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Erin Crawford said:

Service Dogs I just wanted to say that your description of a service/protection dog for those suffering from PTSD, anxiety and depression is spot on. I have never read anywhere a more clear, concise, and accurate assessment anywhere. More often than not people turn to meds, meds, and more meds. Meds are important if accurately perscribed and followed but the anxiety and isolation related to PTSD is deeper. I truly believe you "get it." A well trained servive,protection and companion german shepherd can be life altering. The ability to feel safe, even in ones home, and then the ability to leave the house and baby step by baby step rejoin and regain the ability to interact in all areas of ones life and finally feel safe is priceless. Thank you for "getting it."

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July 27, 2010
Votes: +14

Mary Jespersen said:

I never thought about it I suffer from severe PTSD and have often struggled with being in public, ie the grocery store, WalMart, the Mall, and so my family does most of the shopping for me. I was thinking of a dog for protection in my home only, never thought of a service dog as a possible solution for some of my difficulties. Thank you for such a great article which truly shows an understanding of PTSD and what we who must deal with it go through.

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September 16, 2010
Votes: +4

Mary Jespersen said:

Hope is in my future, his name is Yorrdan After speaking with Dawn and Ted, and both my physician and psychiatrist I am excitedly and somewhat anxiously awaiting the arrival of Yorrdan who will be my service dog. I am finally hopeful of a future in which I can do more of the things which are a part of "normal" life than I have been able to. Not only will Yorrdan be able to provide the needs for my PTSD but also will give me support for the balance issues I must deal with because of chronic dehydration. PTSD is what is known as an Invisible Disablility, as are the physical problems I must deal with. Yorrdan will, as my service dog and companion, provide me with the support which I have been without and have therefore been unable to go shopping or travel. Many thanks to Dawn and Ted for the time they have spent talking and emailing with me, encouraging me to take this somewhat scary step to a life that will be more enjoyable.

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September 28, 2010
Votes: +5

Anieb said:

	Dog & Puppy Carriers I am so happy to read this description of a service/protection dog for womens. Thank you for such a great article.
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October 07, 2010
Votes: -1

Jane Miller, LISW, CDBC said:

You might find my book, "HealingCompanions: Ordinary Dogs and Their...." Nice to meet you. Cherish the moments. My book, "Healing Companions: Ordinary Dogs and Their Extraordinary Power To Transform Lives," includes compelling stories of veterans and others and how their psychiatric service dogs have helped them survive their debilitating symptoms of PTSD, TBI & MST. Thanks. Peace, Jane | Healing Companions by Jane Miller www.healing-companions.com Jane Miller's groundbreaking new book on psychiatric service dogs.

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November 05, 2010
Votes: +1

Becky said:

	Needing a Service/Protection Dog I am a sing woman in need of both a Service Dog/Protection dog, I have SEVERE PTSD. A lot of people including the ADA bock at the idea of a Service Dog being protection Trained or protective in ANY WAY, well if you're disabled and also a victim like I am they bring much NEEDED safety as well as assistance. GREAT INFO :O)
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January 14, 2011
Votes: +2

Roseanne Adele Hebert said:

	help i am 55, single woman. I suffer from seizures and post trama. I am on disablitily. I am interrested in a service dog, one that would stay with me during a seizure. one that could keep me calm. How much do I have to invest so to buy a service dog?
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March 29, 2011
Votes: +2

Mary Jespersen said:

After a broken ankle Yorrdan and I are a team, Every single thing that I read here has come true. I was blessed to receive Yorrdan last October 19th, and then on the 20th fell and severely broke my ankle, I have only been walking and working with Yorrdan for a month now. Last week we spent several days in Deland and are now a certified team. Yorrdan has made a difference in my life that is beyond belief, even before I was working with him. I never thought I would be able to walk down our country road and now do so with Yorrdan and have no fears at all. He is a miracle and has truly changed my life. He also works better than a cane for balance, so I have both a service dog and a mobility dog in one marvelous companion. All who know me have seen the changes and are quite amazed. Dawn is the miracle worker for me.

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April 07, 2011
Votes: +1

2SD said:

UGH Sorry, Service Dog and Protection Dog do not belong in the same sentence. Under the ADA (Americans With Disabilities Act) a dog that is trained to attack/protect would not be covered: "Service animal means any dog that is individually trained to do work or perform tasks for the benefit of an individual with a disability..." "The crime deterrent effects of an animal's presence and the provision of emotional support, well-being, comfort, or companionship do not constitute work or tasks for the purposes of this definition." (Americans with Disabilities Act Title II Regulations) Also, if your wonderful "Protection Dog" attacks and seriously injures another person you may be charged with assault with a deadly weapon. Yes, a dog that is trained to attack would be considered a concealed weapon.

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June 01, 2011
Votes: +2

2SD said:

... Sorry, Service Dog and Protection Dog do not belong in the same sentence. Under the ADA (Americans With Disabilities Act) a dog that is trained to attack/protect would not be covered: "Service animal means any dog that is individually trained to do work or perform tasks for the benefit of an individual with a disability..." "The crime deterrent effects of an animal's presence and the provision of emotional support, well-being, comfort, or companionship do not constitute work or tasks for the purposes of this definition." (Americans with Disabilities Act Title II Regulations) Also, if your wonderful "Protection Dog" attacks and seriously injures another person you may be charged with assault with a deadly weapon. Yes, a dog that is trained to attack would be considered a concealed weapon.

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June 01, 2011
Votes: +3

HumSD said:

Big mistake! Personal Protection Dogs (PPD) are NOT service dogs. Here is the newly revised definition of a service dog. Pay special attention to the very last line of the definition. Gatorland, what you are doing is illegal, harmful to real service dog teams and I hope you get shut down. Service animal means any dog that is individually trained to do work or perform tasks for the benefit of an individual with a disability, including a physical, sensory, psychiatric, intellectual,or other mental disability. Other species of animals, whether wild or domestic, trained or untrained, are not service animals for the purposes of this definition. The work or tasks performed by a service animal must be directly related to the handler's disability. Examples of work or tasks include, but are not limited to, assisting individuals who are blind or have low vision with navigation and other tasks, alerting individuals who are deaf or hard of hearing to the presence of people or sounds, providing non-violent protection or rescue work, pulling a wheelchair, assisting an individual during a seizure, alerting individuals to the presence of allergens, retrieving items such as medicine or the telephone, providing physical support and assistance with balance and stability to individuals with mobility disabilities, and helping persons with psychiatric and neurological disabilities by preventing or interrupting impulsive or destructive behaviors. The crime deterrent effects of an animal's presence and the provision of emotional support, well-being, comfort, or companionship do not constitute work or tasks for the purposes of this definition. http://www.ada.gov/regs2010/titleIII_2010/titleIII_2010_withbold.htm

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June 01, 2011
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Joleen said:

... This program sounds great.... except for the part where it states the dog is also for protection. A service dog, according to the ADA states a Service Dog can NEVER show signs of aggression.Due to the protection program this animal has had, the Service of this dog will be nuLl-and-void,as an assistance animal. EVERY state also has it's own set of rules.Most states will require the dog to go through a state-regulated program in order to be considered as a Service Dog in that particular state. As a TRUE Service Dog Handler let me say this. This is the reason why us "true SD" handlers are under so much scrutiny.You teach a dog how to protect, and when this dog bites someone, the real SD Handlers are under the microscope! Shame on you for illegally passing off this dog as a Service Dog. I hope you are aware that it is ILLEGAL to pass off dogs like this as SD's.I hope you are well aware of the consiquences, seeing that it's only a matter of time before you you have to experience them first hand!!

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July 26, 2011
Votes: +6

Karla said:

Protection dogs are NOT service dogs A service dog is a dog that is to do work or perform tasks for their disabled handler. Dogs trained in protection work are not service dogs. Though the ADA did at one point include the term "minimal protection" this was meant to refer protecting a person having a seizure. They have now clarified this to "non-violent" protection. Under no circumstances show aggression, be it on cue or not. This is in fact a reason to exclude a person from services. To be considered a service dog, a dog must be trained to do work or perform tasks that directly mitigate a person's disability. As per the ADA, protection work is not covered under this.

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July 26, 2011
Votes: +6

Julie said:

what happens when... Interesting take on service dogs. I utilize a Bouvier Des Flandres for mobility and anxiety. I have letters from multiple doctors stating I have several life limiting disabilities. I have also had to make sure that while Gus is able to provide a boundary, or space between me and people who "crowd my space", that he is not "protective" in the sense of keeping a potential emergency worker or first aid giver away from me. If a dog (service or pet) interferes with emergency personnel, they will be put down. How do your dogs know when to "protect" or not? How do you define "protect"? Sounds like a lawsuit waiting to happen... JMHO - looking forward to your response - Julie

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July 26, 2011
Votes: +4

Shadow Walker said:

	Service Dogs Any Service Dog that offers "aggressive" protection IS AGAINST THE LAW!!! Any Service Dog caught doing this in a public setting can be asked to leave the premises under the ADA.. The ADA says tasks to migate their disability and having a dog ATTACK another human or dog would be in violation of the law.. If this went to court it would be dismissed..
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July 26, 2011
Votes: +5

Lin said:

Service dog law As someone who has PTSD and a service dog, I really appreciate what you're trying to do. However, active protection is not a service dog task. In fact the law specifically states “an animal individually trained to provide aggressive protection, such as an attack dog, is not appropriately considered a service animal.” As well as “The crime deterrent effects of an animal's presence” do not qualify that animal as a service animal and “an animal individually trained to provide aggressive protection, such as an attack dog, is not appropriately considered a service animal.” And for most people, the crime deterrent effects of a GSD are another to instill confidence in a handler, and keep someone with bad intentions away. Tasks should be focused upon what can help the disabled individual on a daily basis. There are many ways a SD can assist with PTSD, but personal protection is not one of them. The ADA reformation Act changes can be found here http://www.abetterpet.com/abet...e-2011.pdf Anyone can also contact the ADA through their information hotline http://www.ada.gov/infoline.htm

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July 27, 2011
Votes: +6

artie said:

	Protection and Service Dogs The ADA is worded that the only crime deterrent a Service dog can have is it's "presence". You are opening yourself up to many expensive lawsuits if any of these "Service Dogs" attack another person while on duty. I love GSD and think they are great dogs, but they are not for the inexperienced handler. How much team training do you do with your dogs and the handlers?
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July 27, 2011
Votes: +6

Emily Frisbie said:

How my dog provides non-violent protection My dog Chestnut is a service dog. I self trained her which really only involved me reinforcing behaviors tht she demonstrated naturally. I have severe depression and ptsd and Chestnut has been able to help me leave the house and have a somewhat normal life. I live in an urban environment and I often times find myself needing to walk alone to the store or appointments. With Chestnut along I don't need to rush home before dark or call afriend to walk me home. I don't need to be scared or hypervigilant. Chestnut is constantly aware of her surroundings. I can focus on her and let her worry about everything else. When I walk at night and a man starts walking behind me she will stop and turn arround and face the man until he passes us both and then she will follow him. She will also do this in the daytime, but the man usually has to come up quickly upon us to get her undivided attention. No one has ever been aggresive towards me since I began taking her with me so I don't know what her reaction would be. I would guess that she would be brave and loyal and do her best to protect me. Thank you for recognizing this work that service dogs can provide for their partners Emil

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November 14, 2011
Votes: +1

Emily Frisbie said:

A service dog can provide non-violent protection work under the ADA What constitutes non-violent protection work is not clearly defined. It could range from the dog placing itself between the handler and the person attempting to assault the person, it could also mean that the dog shows its teeth and acts in an agressive manner but not actually going so far as to bite a person who has not yet made contact with the handler. Once the assault begins and the handler is facing or fearing for their life or some type of physical harm deadly force is authorized in every state of the union. I could train my dog in non-violent protection work or since I live in a state that has a shall issue a concealed weapons permit I would rather choose a dog that will deter the attack from happening. Just a week ago I suffered an assault against me because my service dog was not wearing her vest and I attempted to enter a Kmart to do some shopping. The ADA has no requirements for wearing a vest and since I don't want to be identified by the vest when just walking the dog as being disabled I prefer not to use them. Whatever the state laws are makes no difference ther is only one law that governs the use of service dogs and it is the ADA. The ADA in there 2011 review of what tasks a service dog could do and be concidered a service dog is non-violent protection. I have been assauleted three times in my life I was alomost strangled to death once, I was jumped by three men in an attempt to rob me, and a week ago I was assaulted by an off+duty policeman. I am suffering violent nightmares, I cringe at the sight of the police and I dread going to the bus stop because it is right infront of the store where we were assaulted. Anyone who says the non- violent protection work is not a legitamate task for a service dog is simply wrong, and missinformed. In fact it has almways been apart of the ADA though worded as minimal protection work. So, before yuo make such statements please read the DOJ deffinitions of tasks that a service dog can perform that are concidered work. My dog that I use now has been performing non-violent protection work by informing me of the people around me that could be threatening to us. While that worked for the last 7 months I am afraid now to leave the house because she isn't trained to show agression on command and she is a smaller dog at just 45lbs. Now I am seriously considering the use of a bigger dog like a rottwiler, german or belgian shepherd or doberman pincher. A dog that just in its history is more intimidating and can do a better job of guarding my personal space. Remember that once you are being attacked physicaly you and your dog are authorized to use what ever force necessary to ensure your safety at least that is the law in my state. Rmily

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February 13, 2012
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Dawn Hoppe said:

Non violent Handler Defense for a Service Dog Thank-you Emily for your information & sharing your experience. I am sorry to hear that you were put in a position where you did not have a dog to defend you. Our program follows all of the ADA guidelines and the German Shepherds and Malinois in our program offer the very best in crime deterrence and handler defense in the Service Dog Programs. We have over 30 years experience to back up our Service/Protection Dogs.

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March 05, 2012
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