Rescue Dogs Trained To Be PTSD Service Animals For Vets
Rescue Dogs Trained To Be PTSD Service Animals For Vets: From Shelter to Service. In a powerful Special Episode Podcast of the Law Enforcement Talk Radio Show, listeners are introduced to an inspiring story of second chances, for both people and dogs. Brett Simon from Big Dog Ranch Rescue in Palm Beach County, Florida, joins host Jay Wiley to share how rescue dogs are being trained to become PTSD service animals for veterans. The Law Enforcement Talk Radio Show and Podcast, is available for free on their website, also on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, Youtube and many other podcast platforms.
“Every dog deserves a chance, and every veteran deserves help,” says Simon, a former Police K9 Handler and Military Combat Contractor who spent years working with canines in high-stress combat zones. “When we connect the two, a rescue dog needing purpose and a veteran needing healing, something extraordinary happens.” The Law Enforcement Talk Radio Show and Podcast promoted across their Facebook , Instagram , LinkedIn , Medium and other social media platforms.
From the Shelter to Service
At Big Dog Ranch Rescue (BDRR), the largest cage-free, no-kill rescue in the United States, dogs once abandoned in shelters are given new lives through their Veteran Service Dog Training Program. The initiative not only transforms the lives of veterans struggling with post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) but also saves the lives of the dogs themselves. Look for supporting articles about this and much more from Law Enforcement Talk Radio Show and Podcast in platforms like Medium , Blogspot and Linkedin .
The program’s mission is simple yet profound: give rescue dogs a second chance by training them to become PTSD service dogs for veterans and active-duty military personnel. “We’re giving hope twice,” Simon explains. “To the veteran who’s struggling and to the dog who was once unwanted.” Rescue Dogs Trained To Be PTSD Service Animals For Vets: From Shelter to Service.
The Healing Power of the Human-Animal Bond
PTSD service dogs are specially trained to perform tasks that help alleviate symptoms and improve daily functioning for individuals living with post-traumatic stress. These dogs offer comfort, protection, and companionship, often becoming an essential part of a veteran’s healing journey. Available for free on their website and streaming on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, and other podcast platforms.
Some of the trained tasks include:
Interrupting flashbacks or anxiety attacks: by nudging or placing their head on their handler’s lap.
Providing comfort: through deep pressure therapy by leaning or lying against the veteran.
Blocking and covering: positioning themselves in front or behind the veteran to create a sense of security.
Waking from nightmares: recognizing distress and gently waking the veteran.
Encouraging social interaction: helping veterans reconnect and feel more at ease in public spaces.
“PTSD doesn’t go away overnight,” Simon says. “But when you have a loyal companion who senses your anxiety and helps ground you, it changes everything. These dogs are trained not just to obey, they’re trained to care.” Rescue Dogs Trained To Be PTSD Service Animals For Vets: From Shelter to Service. The Law Enforcement Talk Radio Show and Podcast episode is available for free on their website , Apple Podcasts , Spotify and most major podcast platforms.
Backed by the Veterans Administration
The Veterans Administration recognizes Big Dog Ranch Rescue’s program as a “Non-Traditional and Innovative” form of therapy. Through this recognition, BDRR works closely with the VA to ensure veterans receive comprehensive support while integrating their new service dogs into their daily lives.
Training is provided entirely free of charge for veterans, although those from out of state are required to complete a 21-day on-site training session at the ranch in Florida (which may be spread over several months). Sponsorship opportunities are often available to help offset travel expenses.
Each veteran-dog partnership is unique. BDRR’s professional trainers use positive reinforcement techniques, tailoring each dog’s training to match the veteran’s individual needs and lifestyle. The dogs receive full vaccinations, microchipping, and access to reduced-cost veterinary care during their first year through BDRR’s veterinary healing center. The full podcast episode is streaming now on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, and across Facebook, Instagram, and LinkedIn.
Brett Simon’s Personal Journey
Brett Simon’s credibility in this mission comes not only from his professional background but from his personal experience. As a Police K9 handler, Military K9 contractor, and combat veteran, Simon has lived through the trauma many of these veterans face. Rescue Dogs Trained To Be PTSD Service Animals For Vets: From Shelter to Service.
“After my deployments, I struggled,” Simon admits in the podcast. “PTSD isn’t something you can see on the outside. But working with dogs again helped me reconnect, with myself, with others, and with purpose.”
His story of PTSD recovery resonates with countless veterans who find traditional therapy incomplete or inaccessible. Simon emphasizes that service dogs are a complement to, not a replacement for, existing mental health treatment plans. “A dog isn’t the cure,” he says, “but they’re part of the healing.” You can find the show on Facebook, Instagram, Pinterest, X (formerly Twitter), and LinkedIn, as well as read companion articles and updates on Medium, Blogspot, YouTube, and even IMDB.
Science Supports the Bond
Research has shown that PTSD service dogs help reduce anxiety and depression, improve emotional stability, and foster social connection. One study noted that veterans paired with service dogs reported a significant decrease in symptom severity and an improved quality of life.
The unique human-animal bond offers veterans structure, companionship, and unconditional support — qualities often difficult to find after leaving the military. “Every partnership is different,” Simon explains. “Just like people, every dog has its own strengths. We simply find the right match.”
A Mission of Hope and Second Chances
At its core, Big Dog Ranch Rescue’s Veteran Service Dog Training Program is about rescuing dogs from shelters and rescuing veterans from isolation. Rescue Dogs Trained To Be PTSD Service Animals For Vets: From Shelter to Service. Don’t miss this episode of the Law Enforcement Talk Radio Show and Podcast.
“Our mission is to end dog homelessness,” Simon says. “But in doing that, we’re also ending hopelessness for so many of our nation’s heroes.”
Veterans interested in the program can apply through Big Dog Ranch Rescue’s website or reach out via their Facebook, Instagram, or LinkedIn pages.
Listen to the Full Story
To hear Brett Simon’s full conversation about transforming Rescue Dogs into PTSD Service Animals for Veterans, tune in to the Special Episode Podcast of the Law Enforcement Talk Radio Show available now on Apple, Spotify, Youtube and most major podcast platforms. Rescue Dogs Trained To Be PTSD Service Animals For Vets: From Shelter to Service. This special episode of the Law Enforcement Today Radio Show and Podcast is available now on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, and LinkedIn Audio, with featured content and discussion clips shared across Facebook, Instagram, and other social platforms.
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Rescue Dogs Trained To Be PTSD Service Animals For Vets: From Shelter to Service.
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