Service dog training organization provides companions for veterans suffering from PTSD, mobility and other issues
by Brett Callwood
As a Navy veteran of 20 years—from 1975 to 1995—Jude Litzenberger knows what it means to serve. Today, she accomplishes this as a “Puppy Raiser,” helping to provide professionally trained guide and service dogs for fellow veterans and others in need through her work with Guide Dogs of America/Tender Loving Canines (GDA/TLC).
“In the beginning, our school became a leader in breeding and training guide dogs, primarily,” Litzenberger says, noting the organization’s history dates back to 1948. “Success in using dogs to assist with blindness instigated a widening use of dogs to help other medical conditions and abilities and the term ‘service dog’ applies to any dog who assists any condition by performing specific tasks that help a person.
“In 2019,” she continues, “(GDA) responded to a significant increase in requests for service dogs for mobility and PTSD from a new generation of veterans by merging with San Diego-based service dog organization Tender Loving Canines.”
“I lived for years just getting up and going through the motions. Now I feel again because of this amazing dog. I’m experiencing life again.”
Kristin, Guide Dogs of America/Tender Loving Canines client, speaking about her dog Ziggy
Today, GDA/TLC is one of the most respected guide and service dog schools in the world, providing animal assistants for children with autism and facility dogs serving courts, rehabilitation facilities, firehouses, schools and hospitals.
“All (of our) dogs are trained using positive reinforcement only, and fully personalized to the needs of the client,” Litzenberger says. “Thanks to our development staff and dedicated donors, there is never a charge to our clients for GDA/TLC guide or service dogs. We also provide support to the client for the entire working life of the dogs we produce.”
Though the company is based in Sylmar, San Diego is a key location for two of its premier programs: the Puppy Raiser program and their “college” for service dogs. Litzenberger says the former is “where volunteers home-raise our puppies supported by professional puppy development staff trainers. Puppy Raisers take a puppy at the age of 8 weeks, teach them house manners, basic obedience and expose them to any experience the dog may encounter as a guide or service dog.”
GDA/TLC-trained dogs help people with blindness and limited vision navigate the world: “Guide dogs are literally ‘the eyes’ who see dangers, know the routes, make decisions to keep the client safe, and assist the client in living a fuller life.”
One such match is “Team Kristin & Ziggy.” Service dog Ziggy has improved the life of Kristin considerably.
“I was a medic in the army for eight years,” says Kristin. “[Ziggy] saved my life. I still have my bad days, but he makes my bad days way better than they were. I thought other people needed a service dog more than me—people that have gone through worse things. When I was on more medications than I could remember to take, I decided that it was time to get myself help. I lived for years just getting up and going through the motions. Now I feel again because of this amazing dog. I’m experiencing life again.
“Everyone says that they have the best dog, but I have the best dog.”
Veterans needing a service dog can apply and find more information at www.guidedogsofamerica.org. The organization is also looking for Puppy Raisers, who can also apply at this link.
