Brian & Mara
Veteran: Brian Bailey
Service Dog: Mara
From the very beginning VA Dogs have been nothing but supportive through out the whole process of me getting a Service Dog. They gave me the most support when my employer gave me a lot of resistance about having my dog with me as a means of assistance for my disability. They seemed to have a problem with the breed of the dog and the safety/liability. Former employer Travis from VA Dogs explained me of my rights as an owner of a certified trained service dog. He was the first person to say that once a dog is trained and certified the breed is secondary. That my employer by law is not allowed to specify any breed. I found that to be true because my attorney educated my employer and filed a case against them and I was told I can have which ever dog is a good fit for me. VA Dogs did everything in their power and knowledge to assure my company. That the dogs are trained and certified. The Director of training Kathy and Caleb offered to do what was needed to show my employer what it was they needed to see. Kathy offered to do a zoom call. During a zoom call even offered my employer to come to VA Dogs to pet the dog if need be.
I missed out on my first choice of service dog because it happened to be a German Sheppard. I was called by Kathy Rider approximately 2-3 months after the first class to come meet a few dogs they had that could possibly fit my needs. My wife and I chose a great dog I was able to go through the class the second time with a green light to have a service dog and approved to be able to be with me at work. The class was great I am a beginner with dogs so I needed to pay close attention and learn as much as possible. Trainer Caleb was great it was the perfect balance of class time and hands on. There was nothing boring. I learned something new every day. Room and board was taken care of and Rose was helpful answered all my questions after class. At the VA Dogs house. Rose gave me some of her favorite training DVDs she had for me to watch if i wanted to. We were able to take the dogs with us during class so we can and the dogs can get familiar with their new environment. On my second class when we came back home my dog Mara became very ill bloody stools and not well at all. I took her to the clinic had contracted a stomach or intestine virus. I sent pictures of the evidence to Caleb and kept all my receipts from the Veterinary. VA Dogs had a check for me for half of the cost of the hospital/Vet. I thought that was fair. Even though the dog was my responsibility it was likely Mara probably ate something she shouldn't have eaten the 2nd weekend at the house.
“VA Dogs and its Staff are very great bunch of people who care a lot about dogs and a lot about the veterans. I am so happy to have had to the chance to go through their program and become friends and still keep touch with them one year or more later. ”