Stryker and Savannah
When our family found Caring Canine Angels, we had already been turned away from many other services dog organizations for being considered due to Savannah not being the active duty member but a dependent. At that time, Savannah’s health was so perilous, in and out of ER’s on average 2-3 x’s a month, and Dr appts on average of 2 a week. Her moral was so low, spirits all but broken. She suffered from severe PTSD, insomnia, depression, & more. Her quality of life was so shaken, so dismal, that her closest personal contact was doctors. And her trust in humans, at rock bottom. She wanted no touch, no contact, and could barely exit her room and bed on days she wasn’t forced to attend an appointment. The only reoccurring, spoken request she made was for a service dog. Her anxiety was so high in public places, it was not unusual for her to experience multiple panic attacks while out in public places. Devastating types... like on a bathroom floor, weeping, uncontrollably, w/the door locked. And avoiding people and closed in spaces at all costs, even denying herself family time or fun events. Savannah insisted having a service dog would be a buffer between her and the world/people. And that she could feel safe in public environments and have the emotional security of going places.
I was uncertain if adding such a big (new) burden of family responsibility would actually mean that much to her & change the way she approached life. But I was wrong. Not about the daily responsibility of raising & training a big breed, intelligent dog. But about the impact he would have on her.
Since Stryker became a part of our family, her world is no longer so enclosed, bleak, dark, or lonely. He gets her on an intuition level that none of us ever could. And comforts her in a way that she’d never embrace from anyone else. In the middle of the night, when she was experiencing nightly night terrors, he would jump onto her bed and comfort her and give calm to her raging storm and dangerously paced heart. During the day, when she would ordinarily avoid outdoors/people, he have her a reason to get dressed and take him to the dog park or on walks. Over time, the questions and talk from strangers got better and easier to manage. But perhaps most important, Canine Caring Angels came with Sunny, the owner and CEO, who not only deeply cares about her dogs, but the people in which she places them. Savannah not only gained a service dog, but a service dog family. Sunny & CCA has meant so much to us.
We are so grateful, everyday, that CCA chose to give Savannah a service dog after much review and consideration.
It has meant a world of difference to us. To Savannah. And to Stryker.
Savannah now travels, works, and visits public places due to the healing and the confidence she has achieved through this program. Savannah’s diagnosis maybe lifelong, but her ability to live life better with it and approach new scenarios without a crippling fear has given her freedom and accessibility to have a new leash on life. Two new leashes on life.
Stryker and Savannah are more than just a dog and his owner. They are the true embodiment of how one could never be what she is today without the other. And the gift of that given in love to her Canine Caring Angel dog. The two, together, in trust, commitment, discipline, and love, side by side.