Page 881 - Total War on PTSD

maybe it’s so he can get some shut eye while we are resting. If we are at a restaurant and I have left-overs, I will take it with me. I will roll up the back and give Henry the command, “Get it”. He will hold the bag in his mouth until we reach the car. I give the command “Give it” and he will release it to me. At that point, he gets his reward in the form of a treat. The treat was usually a “Popper," which is a chicken-rice combo ball. About two years ago, Henry developed an allergy and is now on a specific diet of allergy free food. No more poppers for him. I am sure he misses them. The purpose of this command, for me, is to allow a distraction for others around me to look at. I feel the discomfort of eyes being on me while in public.
Henry does not bark unless given the command, “Speak”. Even when startled, he does not bark. This is VERY nice. A barking dog causes anxiety. Henry has never met another animal or human that he does not like. He is so friendly. Yet, he does not interact with ANYONE without being given the ok by me. He sees them, but he does not acknowledge them. He has a command that I use called, “Make a Friend”. Once he has been given this command, he goes to the person, or animal, and makes nice.
My wife has Mater and Finn, two Chihuahua's. Mater is pushing 12 as of 2018 and Finn is around six or seven. My wife and I were married on July 1st, 2017. I have my Service Dog Henry, a Black Labrador, who is almost nine years old now. I got him when he was two years old from Puppies Behind Bars. His birth date was October of 2009 and I have had him since 2011. Henry reacts to my being triggered by looking into my eyes, licking my hands, and leaning into me.
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