PTSD Service Dogs for First Responders/Veterans

Across All Lines is dedicated to bridging the gap in relation to mental wellness resources and access for first responders & veterans with PTSD.   

Our main focus is on creating access to service and emotional support dogs through our coaching program. 

Service dogs are often a wonderful addition to a treatment plan for PTSD but are often unattainable due to cost and 2-3 years of wait list time. Through our coaching program first responders and veterans get to train their dogs, hands on, through the whole process of becoming a service dog.  This is called owner training as defined by the ADA (Americans with Disabilities Act). 

In 2025 we will be unveiling our service dog coaching program through the option of a virtual program as well so that we can reach more first responders and veterans across the United States.  They need us and we want to make service dogs more attainable to those that are willing and able to put in the work of training their own dog. It's not only rewarding for the handler but the benefits are noticeable within the first sessions, long before we even get close to public access or task training. 

Public donations help us keep this program free to the men and women that need it.

! ! ! TRIGGER WARNING ! ! !  

Short examples of traumatic events ahead in this section, scroll to next section to avoid. Next section is ways service dogs can help.

Why might some first responders and/or veterans have PTSD?  (Post Traumatic Stress Disorder - being a part of or witnessing an extremely stressful or terrifying event)

The fact is that the people in these positions see traumatic events often. They see their community on their worst days. This may be a violent crime, an accident, a fire, a person they couldn't save, the screams of a person who lost their child or loved one, the actions they may have needed to take to keep themselves or someone else safe, the list goes on. 

One big traumatic event might trigger PTSD symptoms but often these events compile and trigger C-PTSD (Complex PTSD - repeated or prolonged trauma). It might seem like you're dealing with the events well but in the background they may be compiling into something bigger like C-PTSD.

This is why the mental health of first responders and veterans WHILE THEY ARE SERVING is so important. To debrief and follow up after each of these calls/events.

What can service dogs do for their handlers with PTSD? 

Here are some examples:

🐾  Interrupt dissociation

🐾  Remind to take medication

🐾  Interrupt flashbacks, wake from nightmares

🐾  Alert and distract before reaching panic attack

🐾  Distract during self harm or repetitive behaviors

🐾  Comfort and distraction when crying

🐾  Deep Pressure - Dog lays body weight on your lap or across chest to provide calming comfort which helps regulate blood pressure and heart rate

🐾  Bring you your medications during panic episodes

🐾  Alert family or others that you may need help

🐾  Watch your six - Dog sits behind you to be your eyes and watch for people approaching that might startle you

🐾  Crowd control - Dog circles handler in a crowd to move others out of handlers personal bubble

Training in action

Here is a compilation of a morning with one of our teams at the MSP Airport. We always schedule a day to practice at the airport when a team is thinking of taking a trip. The airport has a great program that lets you do everything as you would do on the day of travel minus the actual flight as the plane doesn't leave the gate. 

Thank you for taking the time to learn about our mission and the need of these brave first responders and veterans.

Remember your donation is tax deductible and helps keep our program free to the people that need it. 

Your dollars make big impacts on our program and what we can offer.