From Shelter to Service: Rescue Dogs Trained To Be PTSD Service Animals For Veterans
West Palm Beach, Fl - From Shelter to Service: Rescue Dogs Trained To Be PTSD Service Animals For Veterans.
In a powerful and emotional special episode of the Law Enforcement Talk Radio Show and Podcast, listeners are introduced to an incredible story of transformation, one that gives second chances to both people and dogs. Host John Jay Wiley welcomes Brett Simon from Big Dog Ranch Rescue (BDRR) in Palm Beach County, Florida, to talk about how shelter dogs are being trained to become PTSD service animals for America’s veterans.
“Every dog deserves a chance, and every veteran deserves help,” says Simon, a former Police K9 Handler and Military Combat Contractor. “When we connect the two, a rescue dog needing purpose and a veteran needing healing, something extraordinary happens.”
The full episode is available on the Law Enforcement Talk Radio Show website, as well as on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, YouTube, and other major streaming platforms. The story has also been shared across Facebook, Instagram, LinkedIn, and other social media outlets.
From Shelter to Service
At Big Dog Ranch Rescue, the largest cage-free, no-kill dog rescue in the United States, hundreds of dogs once facing euthanasia are given a new chance at life. Through the Veteran Service Dog Training Program, these dogs are transformed into highly skilled PTSD service animals, bringing hope and healing to both sides of the leash.
“We’re giving hope twice,” Simon explains. “To the veteran who’s struggling and to the dog who was once unwanted.”
The mission of this program is simple yet deeply profound: save shelter dogs while empowering veterans living with post-traumatic stress disorder. It’s a partnership that heals invisible wounds and redefines what it means to serve, through loyalty, compassion, and connection.
The Healing Power of the Human Animal Bond
PTSD service dogs are trained to perform a variety of tasks that help veterans regain confidence and emotional stability. These specially trained dogs interrupt anxiety attacks, provide comfort during flashbacks, and act as protective companions in stressful environments.
Some of their key tasks include:
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Interrupting flashbacks or anxiety attacks by gently nudging or placing their head on their handler’s lap.
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Providing comfort through deep pressure therapy, leaning or lying close to their partner.
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Blocking or covering to create a sense of security in crowded areas.
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Waking veterans from nightmares when signs of distress appear.
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Encouraging social interaction, helping veterans reconnect with others and overcome isolation.
“PTSD doesn’t go away overnight,” Simon says. “But when you have a loyal companion who senses your anxiety and helps ground you, it changes everything. These dogs are trained not just to obey, they’re trained to care.”
Backed by the Veterans Administration
The Veterans Administration recognizes Big Dog Ranch Rescue’s program as a “Non-Traditional and Innovative” therapeutic resource. Veterans accepted into the program receive training completely free of charge, and sponsorships are available to help cover travel and housing costs for those coming from outside Florida.
Each veteran-dog team participates in a 21-day immersive training program at the ranch, where trainers use positive reinforcement to customize each dog’s behavior to meet the veteran’s needs. Every dog receives full vaccinations, microchipping, and access to reduced-cost veterinary care through BDRR’s on-site healing center.
Brett Simon’s Journey: From Combat to Compassion
Brett Simon’s passion for this work comes from a very personal place. As a Police K9 Handler, Military K9 Contractor, and Combat Veteran, he understands the toll of trauma and the challenges of life after service.
“After my deployments, I struggled,” Simon admits. “PTSD isn’t something you can see on the outside. But working with dogs again helped me reconnect, with myself, with others, and with purpose.”
Simon emphasizes that service dogs aren’t meant to replace therapy, but rather to complement it.
“A dog isn’t the cure,” he says. “But they’re part of the healing.”
For countless veterans who feel disconnected or find traditional therapies incomplete, these dogs offer something truly unique, unconditional trust and companionship.
Science Supports the Bond
Modern research backs up what Simon and his team already know: service dogs can make a measurable difference. Studies have found that veterans paired with PTSD service animals experience reduced anxiety, fewer symptoms, and a greater sense of belonging and purpose.
“Every partnership is different,” Simon notes. “Just like people, every dog has its own strengths. We simply find the right match.”
A Mission of Hope and Second Chances
At its heart, Big Dog Ranch Rescue’s Veteran Service Dog Training Program is about hope, for both heroes and hounds. Dogs once discarded are now saving lives, while veterans who once felt lost are finding companionship, strength, and healing.
“Our mission is to end dog homelessness,” Simon says. “But in doing that, we’re also ending hopelessness for so many of our nation’s heroes.”
Veterans who wish to apply for the program can visit Big Dog Ranch Rescue’s website or reach out via Facebook, Instagram, or LinkedIn.
To hear Brett Simon’s full interview, listen to the Special Episode of the Law Enforcement Talk Radio Show and Podcast, streaming now on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, YouTube, and most major podcast platforms.
Stay connected with more inspiring stories by following the Law Enforcement Talk Radio Show on Facebook, Instagram, LinkedIn, and Blogspot.
Rescue Dogs Trained To Be PTSD Service Animals For Vets: From Shelter to Service, a story of redemption, purpose, and the unbreakable bond between humans and dogs.
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