Ricochet's soldier, Randy Dexter on his
first day of school. Ricochet accompanied him as his service dog. |
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Ricochet first met Randy through the goal directed therapy work she does with Paws'itive Team's Canine Inspired Community Re-integration (CICR) program.
The program helps active duty military with PTS make the transition back into the civilian world through canine therapy. The dogs are handled by the service members for two hours at a time over a six week period. The goal of the program is for service members to experience a reduction in their anxiety and other PTS symptoms by having a dog accompany them. Although the dogs are working as highly trained, certified goal directed therapy dogs, this program gives them insight into what it would be like to have a service dog. The dogs are given special permission to accompany the service member in places that evoke anxiety such as Walmart, Home Depot, Restaurants, stores and a number of other places. |
When I first met Ricochet I was lost, broken, and looking for some strength so that I could have some hope to be the man, father, and husband I know I was capable of being. Instantly Ricochet gave me what I was looking for, and I felt fully alive for the first time in years for those 90 minutes. After the 6 weeks were over she knew exactly when I was too anxious, or if I would be better off not going down a certain aisle in Walmart because it would be stressful for me. We were truly in sync. I had the strength I was lacking for so long. And from then on, I pushed myself to keep doing everything I could. I will continue to kick this PTS in the ass like I was trained to fight in war. That’s the soldier in me. And, the medic in me wants to help as many like me as I can. I’m on a mission.
Ricochet is on a mission too! She and Randy have teamed up and created a partnership! Even though his 6 weeks in the Paws'itive Teams program came to an end, Ricochet continued her work with him until he got his own service dog. They are both committed to helping others while they're at it too! Our goal is to raise awareness of PTS, remove the stigma associated with it, educate the public and showcase the therapeutic partnerships between dogs and those with PTS. We'll also be sharing helpful tips on what one should look for when considering a service dog, recovery resources and much more. |
Ricochet has been working with Paws'itive Teams CICR program since 2011. During that time, she has displayed extra-ordinary intuition and a natural propensity to assist service members in ways a service dog would. On many occasions Ricochet was able to sense subtle changes in their body when they were beginning to have a panic attack, anxiety attack, increased pain or other compromising behavior. She instinctively alerted them, which interrupted an oncoming debilitating or destructive behavior, and helped them to refocus on her and work through the problem. |
Proud supporter of the: Lone Survivor Foundation.
The Lone Survivor Foundation provides support for our wounded service members, their spouses, children, and caregiver(s) by empowering them with helpful techniques and tools addressing Post Traumatic Stress (PTS), Traumatic Brain Injury (TBI), sexual trauma and pain management. The Lone Survivor Foundation restores, empowers, and renews hope for our wounded service members and their families. The Lone Survivor Foundation is a Federal 501(c)3 non-profit founded in 2010 by Navy SEAL (Ret.) Marcus Luttrell. |