Service Dog Solutions

Man’s best friend brings us happiness, friendship, and unconditional love. For some lucky dog owners, a service dog can change their life for the better.

A service dog is a highly trained human assistant. Service dogs are trained to assist primarily one person with a disability approved by the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA). This includes physical, sensory, psychiatric, and intellectual. Service dogs most commonly help with post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), autism, and traumatic brain injuries.

Tracey McElya and her husband Clay, the former owners of Wren’s Pet Lodge, have over 40 years of combined experience in dog training. They have formed a foundation called Service Dog Solutions. Clay is a disabled veteran who proudly served our country and is an instrumental part of the foundation as a co-founder. Everything changed in 2015 when Tracey was asked to train a service dog for a young child with cancer. They knew they had been called to do something important and have been training service dogs since 2016.

“I wanted to do something more than boarding and training,” Tracey told me. “In 2020, I registered Service Dog Solutions (SDS) as a 501c3 and became a nonprofit organization.”

Tracey learned that the price tag of a service dog is over $20,000 and there are lengthy waiting lists. She was convinced there had to be a better way. Tracey gave her own trained dog, Rage, to the child with cancer.

“It’s more than giving someone a dog, “ Tracy explained. “It’s giving the recipient a companion who will help them live their best life by restoring their confidence and sense of purpose. It’s not just about them, they have a new friend to care for.”

Man's Best Friend

Post Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) can affect anyone, not just veterans. It can impact those who have survived a life-altering or neardeath experience. SDS placed dogs with several students involved in the shooting at Marshall County High School as well as local veterans.

“It’s an amazing feeling to see what a dog can bring to someone who served in a war,” Tracey shares. “Soldiers return home with raw feelings and emotions that could leave them permanently scarred. They may not want to face the public and feel isolated. Then, they meet their new comrade and life changes for the better.”

Personal Training

The most common breed of service dog is an American classic - the Labrador Retriever. Labs are friendly, gentle, patient, and intelligent. Other popular breeds include Golden Retrievers and German Shepherds.

Trained professionals at SDS work diligently with each dog, even taking them into their own homes to master house manners and behavioral skills. Most service dogs begin training at around one year of age and will be placed with their handler no later than 3-years old. The recipient of the dog must be the main caregiver. This allows a special bond between the two and motivates the handler to stay active and care for their companion.

“Training is never ‘done’,” McElya said. “It takes an average of 18 months for a service dog to go through training. After that, we check in on a regular basis and offer refresher courses.”

Show Some Puppy Love

Volunteers are a valuable part of SDS including training. In addition to training from the pros, each dog needs to be trained on a confidence course to learn commands and obedience. Individuals or small groups can help train on the course to build poise and focus.

“Dogs need to be accustomed to different environments and exposure to multiple people,” Tracey said. “Volunteers also help make sure the dogs are leash trained and comfortable traveling.”

Foster families are needed to take care of service dogs in training before being placed with their new handler. If you love dogs, this may be the perfect opportunity for you.

“Fostering is a big responsibility and plays a crucial part in training,” Tracey shared. “College-aged students are well suited for fostering. One of the best dogs we trained at SDS was raised in a fraternity house. It was a busy home with hustle and bustle. Different individuals took the dog on trips and car rides. It worked out perfectly!”

How Do I Get a Service Dog?

Before being considered for a service dog, you must have a letter from your healthcare provider stating you have a qualifying disability under the ADA. A questionnaire is sent to the potential handler to help the SDS team determine whether or not a service dog would benefit them. Once approved, the handler will meet their new buddy when the dog is around two or three months shy of completing their training. The new handler begins working with the dog and a sacred bond of friendship begins. The handler and dog will complete the SDS Confidence Course together. Upon completion, the dog is given a vest to wear in public as a registered service dog.

Our community's demand for service dogs is greater than you may think. Thanks to many kind-hearted individuals, the trained dogs from Service Dog Solutions are given to the recipient free of charge. The recipient of the dog may be asked to help raise funds for the dog training, but there is no minimum requirement and they will not be turned away because of the inability to raise money. Once the handler receives the dog, the dog’s care is their financial responsibility.

You Can Help

The McElya’s and their team want to use their abilities to make the world a better place for those needing a service dog. Donations are always needed to help keep organizations like SDS serving our community. When you donate, you are not paying overhead or payroll. 100% of the funds raised go toward the dog and its care.