Talking with other caregivers about "life with a service dog,” we have realized that it brings a whole new aspect to life as a caregiver. If on your anniversary you and your spouse are on the way to a nice restaurant for dinner — and then the dog sticks his head between the two front seats — so much for the romantic date! These dates now come with a third wheel, and you’re not sure who that third wheel really is, you or the dog? It takes some getting used to! As caregivers, we know we play an integral role in the success of our veteran and service dog teams. How can we help? How can we not be a hindrance? We caregivers have begun meeting during the dog classes and we are always available for each other. We want to be able to help provide a state of readiness, comfort and peace to future caregivers in the Paws for Peace program so no one is left behind. — Amy Jajiliardo Caregivers Find Comfort, Friendship By Joining with Others Who Serve Vets REVEILLE Summer/Fall 2019 Volume 5, Number 2 Published by Embrace A Vet, P.O. Box 516, Topsham ME 04086-0516 www.embraceavet.org In the early spring of 2017, a friend handed me a piece of paper with the information for contacting Paws for Peace. My Air Force veteran husband, Glenn, had reached the point of needing a service dog to help him handle life with a traumatic brain injury (TBI) and PTSD. We had a two-year-old Golden Retriever, Samson, who already had a great relationship with Glenn. Samson passed the pre-class evaluation and they began their 16-week training. It was definitely hard work for them, but they diligently attended all the classes and put in the necessary out-of -class training. At that time, only the veteran and his dog attended classes. This was a challenge for us as I didn't know how best to help Glenn through this pro- cess, and Glenn couldn't always remember what was said in class. In August 2017 Glenn and Samson grad- uated. Samson loves being a service dog and Glenn feels more confident and safe with Samson by his side. During this time I kept saying "This is great that Glenn is getting the help and support he needs, but who helps ME in supporting HIM?" Nobody seemed to have the answer for me. Well, nobody that is, until a month after graduation when the class got together with Deb Farn- ham for a check-in over breakfast. I was invited to join them. After breakfast I pulled Deb aside and asked my "who helps me support him" question. And FINALLY someone had an answer! Deb told me about the care- giver group and the wellness retreats. She put me in touch with Dean Patterson. I attended my first caregiver lunch in November 2017. I walked in not knowing a single person there and walked out knowing I had found sisters in this journey. These ladies immediately embraced me as one of their own. When I am with these women I feel both light and full -- light because my burdens no longer seem as heavy -- as we talk, we laugh and cry together because the stories shared are familiar to all of us. And full be- cause, just like me, each of these women knows the veteran is worth fighting for, and it's safe to share both the good and bad days. Thanks to Amy for sharing her caregiver experiences with Reveille. She attended the Mother’s Day Weekend Caregiver Retreat at Camp Kieve in Nobleboro last May.
Transcript
Talking with other caregivers about "life with a
service dog,” we have realized that it brings a
whole new aspect to life as a caregiver. If on your
anniversary you and your spouse are on the way
to a nice restaurant for dinner — and then the dog
sticks his head between the two front seats — so
much for the romantic date! These dates now come
with a third wheel, and you’re not sure who that
third wheel really is, you or the dog? It takes some
getting used to!
As caregivers, we know we play an integral role in
the success of our veteran and service dog teams.
How can we help? How can we not be a
hindrance? We caregivers have begun meeting
during the dog classes and we are always available
for each other. We want to be able to help provide
a state of readiness, comfort and peace to future
caregivers in the Paws for Peace program so no
one is left behind. — Amy Jajiliardo
Caregivers Find Comfort, Friendship
By Joining with Others Who Serve Vets
REVEILLE Summer/Fall 2019 Volume 5, Number 2
Published by Embrace A Vet, P.O. Box 516, Topsham ME 04086 -0516
www.embraceavet.org
In the early spring of 2017, a friend handed me a piece
of paper with the information for contacting Paws for
Peace. My Air Force veteran husband, Glenn, had
reached the point of needing a service dog to help him
handle life with a traumatic brain injury (TBI) and
PTSD. We had a two-year-old Golden Retriever,
Samson, who already had a great relationship with
Glenn. Samson passed the pre-class evaluation and
they began their 16-week training.
It was definitely hard work for them, but they diligently
attended all the classes and put in the necessary out-of
-class training. At that time, only the veteran and his
dog attended classes. This was a challenge for us as
I didn't know how best to help Glenn through this pro-
cess, and Glenn couldn't always remember what was
said in class. In August 2017 Glenn and Samson grad-
uated. Samson loves being a service dog and Glenn
feels more confident and safe with Samson by his side.
During this time I kept saying "This is great that Glenn
is getting the help and support he needs, but who helps
ME in supporting HIM?" Nobody seemed to have the
answer for me. Well, nobody that is, until a month after
graduation when the class got together with Deb Farn-
ham for a check-in over breakfast. I was invited to join
them. After breakfast I pulled Deb aside and asked my
"who helps me support him" question. And FINALLY
someone had an answer! Deb told me about the care-
giver group and the wellness retreats. She put me in
touch with Dean Patterson. I attended my first caregiver
lunch in November 2017. I walked in not knowing a
single person there and walked out knowing I had
found sisters in this journey.
These ladies immediately embraced me as one of their
own. When I am with these women I feel both light and
full -- light because my burdens no longer seem as
heavy -- as we talk, we laugh and cry together because
the stories shared are familiar to all of us. And full be-
cause, just like me, each of these women knows the
veteran is worth fighting for, and it's safe to share both
the good and bad days.
Thanks to Amy for sharing her caregiver
experiences with Reveille. She attended the
Mother’s Day Weekend Caregiver Retreat
at Camp Kieve in Nobleboro last May.
Cindy and Chris enjoyed one another’s company and
the support of other caregivers at the May retreat.
From Executive Director Tracy Shaw:
Paws for Peace, Caregiver Retreats Fill EAV Agenda
The dog days of summer may be coming to an end
but the EAV programs are full of new beginnings!
A dozen veteran spouses had a splendid time at the
EAV spring retreat! Caregivers were pampered with
massages and manicures, shared their stories and
struggles, made new friends and giggled with old
ones. This retreat reminded caregivers of self-love,
provided the space to relax and simply be responsi-
bility free. Here at EAV we believe it is crucial to
support the caregiver supporting the veteran.
Our next retreat, Wags & Wellness, is designed for
veteran/canine teams who have completed our Paws
for Peace PTSD service dog training program and
their caregivers. Similar in format to our previous
couples’ or caregivers’ retreats, this multi-day
residential retreat will focus on codependency and
the interaction among the veteran, caregiver and
canine when a couple becomes a trio.
Now let’s talk about dogs.
One question frequently asked is, what do we look
for in a canine candidate to be a potential PTSD
service dog? Let’s break this down into small bites,
the behavior and traits of potential service canines.
First of all a sound temperament is a key factor.
Moderate to high trainability, or the willingness to
work for peanuts or at the very least a Scooby
snack, is a definite plus. A polite pooch should be
able to mind his/her Ps and Qs; reactive rovers don’t
make the grade. A canine candidate has to be clever
and kind, and must be environmentally stable.
“Pick me; pick me!” said the dog who didn’t run for
the hills when the vacuum cleaner came out of the
closet. And above all, this future PTSD service dog
must display the qualities essential to develop into
a faithful companion which lives to serve its veteran!
Barbara Yeager Joins EAV
In Development Position Barbara D. Yeager has joined Embrace A Vet as a
part-time Development and Administrative Assistant.
Her roles with EAV are aligned with her various
experiences and her deep respect for veterans.
Barbara was a small business owner for 25 years
before transitioning to municipal community services
for 15 years. During her career she has created and
facilitated caregivers’ groups and engaged in non-
profit development and volunteer management.
Her commitment to volunteerism and community
service continues. She currently serves on a preven-
tion council, as a member of a community emergency
response team and as an advocate for the aging.
Barbara moved to Maine from Monroe, Connecticut,
and currently resides in Woolwich.
Supporters
Many thanks to our generous sponsors!
Lead Sponsor
THE HIGHLANDS A Grace Management Community
Friends
Bayview Gallery Mid Coast Hospital
Oceanview at Falmouth Regent Financial Services
Norway Savings Bank Hodgkins Law PLLC
Paws for Peace Program Continues
Supporting Veterans and their Canine Companions
EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR
Tracy A. Shaw
FOUNDER Joy Johnson (1946-2016)
NEWSLETTER EDITOR Barbara Lovely
DIRECTORS Edward L. Bradley Beverly Brown Wimberley Burton, JD Richard Corbin, MD
Robert E. Healing Diane Hender Elizabeth Humphrey Marilou A. MacDonald, USA Ret.
Dean Paterson, RN LCDR Terri Schlotterbeck, USN Ret. Tony Silvernagel
ADVISORS Everett Carson Roy Driver, MS, LCPC Deborah Farnham Charles Gauger, DVM
ADM Gregory Johnson David Knight LTG Frank Libutti, USMC Ret. CAPT Beverly Paige, USN Ret.
Joan Reynolds Trendy Stanchfield Christine Toriello David Vaughn
EMBRACE A VET
The Petco Foundation, a major
EAV grantor, invited Paws for
Peace graduate teams and EAV
board members to attend
Petco's annual
Meet a Helping Hero event
at their stores on
October 11th
from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m.
We were invited to be
in stores in Auburn, Augusta,
Bangor and Topsham.
Brandon and Ella
Judy and Tessa
Mike and Capone
Proud veterans at the July Paws for Peace graduation.
P.O. Box 516 Topsham, ME 04086-0516 www.embraceavet.org
YOUR GENEROUS SUPPORT HELPS US HELP
VETS! SEND YOUR DONATIONS
TO THE ABOVE ADDRESS OR DONATE AT
www.embraceavet.org
Annual EAV Benefit Barn Party Another Great Success!
Despite the dry salmon, our 8th Annual EAV Benefit
was a huge financial success for EAV. All those
attending made an amazing difference for Maine
veterans and their families dealing with the
challenges of PTSD. With the generous support of
our corporate sponsors, donors and attendees, this
one evening netted over $85,000, a new high for us.
Hats off to our fabulous co-chairs Linda Austin and
Liz Boyce, the Barn Party committee, and the many
other volunteers who dedicated endless hours to
EAV’s one annual fundraiser! Three cheers to all —
sponsors, volunteers and donors — who have made
such a big difference!
As for 2020, we’re exploring new options and have
selected a new venue in Falmouth for our Annual
Benefit Event. It will be another exciting evening that
will support Maine veterans and their families. It is
