Dogs
Service dogs can be invaluable to those suffering from PTSD. These specially trained canines can help prevent environmental triggers, alert their owners to stress, remind them to take medication, be a calming presence, and become a point of focus during a triggering event, as well as simply providing a source of general emotional stability and comfort.
However, training a service dog can be extremely difficult, expensive, and time-consuming, and the specific challenges of childhood PTSD make for an even greater challenge.
To that end, Chaotic Spyder works only with dogs who are themselves young, training only canines who are between 6 months and 3 years of age. Every dog in our training program is rescued from a high-kill shelter, vetted, and given time to decompress from the trauma of being in a shelter (not to mention their often checkered past) before they begin obedience training. After they complete that, they move on to public access and the specific skills required to become a service dog for a child with PTSD. When a dog is ready, it is matched with a child, and together they train for that child’s individual needs. Once this final step of their training is complete, they begin their lives together.
However, our training process is INCREDIBLY rigorous, and not every dog can succeed.. In fact, there is an ~80% “wash out” rate, which is why we must be so selective with the dogs who enter our program. If, part way through training, we realize that a dog will be unable to complete our program for one reason or the other, they are adopted out to a loving forever home.
However, training a service dog can be extremely difficult, expensive, and time-consuming, and the specific challenges of childhood PTSD make for an even greater challenge.
To that end, Chaotic Spyder works only with dogs who are themselves young, training only canines who are between 6 months and 3 years of age. Every dog in our training program is rescued from a high-kill shelter, vetted, and given time to decompress from the trauma of being in a shelter (not to mention their often checkered past) before they begin obedience training. After they complete that, they move on to public access and the specific skills required to become a service dog for a child with PTSD. When a dog is ready, it is matched with a child, and together they train for that child’s individual needs. Once this final step of their training is complete, they begin their lives together.
However, our training process is INCREDIBLY rigorous, and not every dog can succeed.. In fact, there is an ~80% “wash out” rate, which is why we must be so selective with the dogs who enter our program. If, part way through training, we realize that a dog will be unable to complete our program for one reason or the other, they are adopted out to a loving forever home.
To apply for one of our service dogs please fill out an application
Grants
Because so few people understand this disorder, therapy for children suffering from PTSD is extremely difficult to come by. Many professionals do not address it at all, which is why Chaotic Spyder partners with programs all over the country that specialize in childhood PTSD. Liam attended one such program soon after he was diagnosed, and wanted to ensure that no child who qualified for this valuable aid would be prevented from attending due to cost. Thus, the foundation offers grants for families to help meet the expenses of attending these one-week programs.
Because so few people understand this disorder, therapy for children suffering from PTSD is extremely difficult to come by. Many professionals do not address it at all, which is why Chaotic Spyder partners with programs all over the country that specialize in childhood PTSD. Liam attended one such program soon after he was diagnosed, and wanted to ensure that no child who qualified for this valuable aid would be prevented from attending due to cost. Thus, the foundation offers grants for families to help meet the expenses of attending these one-week programs.