Disabled Veteran’s Service Dog
Donation protected
Jasmine the Service Dog
Hi everyone, as you know my beloved Golden Retriever Jasmine has started showing signs of her age. Jasmine has walked thousands of miles right at my side, and her body is telling me she is tired. Because of this, I’ve begun working with Jasmine’s original trainer, and we have already picked out an amazing dog named Merida. As you know, Jasmine has been my constant companion and has meant so much to me over the years. She enabled me to live life more freely and safely, and she even got us a photo shoot with Prince Harry!
What you may not know is that, on a daily basis, Jasmine uses her nose to keep watch for a specific pheromone that I put off when my body is in distress. Merida will have huge paws to fill! As some may know, the Federal Government passed the Paws act a couple of years ago which provides veterans with the funding to purchase a service dog. Unfortunately, beuocracy has prevented me from accessing these funds, and the VA is unsure when funding will begin. This added to the complications of Jasmine’s age and her bone cancer, means I simply cannot wait any longer.
So I am reaching out to my friends, family and anyone else who wants to help, to request donations so that I can get through this process without the help of the VA. All donations will go directly towards the training and care of Merida. I know these are trying times and that money is tight, but your donations would be appreciated. I would also ask that you please share this on your social media to get the word out. I know many are looking to donate money to a good cause, and I humbly submit that a service dog for a disabled veteran would be just that cause. It is with humility that I ask for your assistance in raising $30,000.
Please contact me if you have any questions or ideas to help push this forward.
For those interested in learning more about Jasmine, the tasks she was trained to perform, how she has helped me, and some of her amazing stories, please keep reading. Otherwise, thank you and I pray that God will bless these donations.
Eight years ago I was blessed to receive the best service dog ever. She has saved my life 6 times that I know and of, and she has never given up on me. But her recent diagnosis of bone cancer means that I need to begin the process of ordering a new service dog - something almost impossible to think of at the moment.
In the coming years, veterans will receive assistance from the Federal Government in the purchase and training of a service dog. “The ‘PAWS Act of 2021’ directed the Department of Veterans Affairs to carry out a grant program under which the Secretary shall make grants to private entities for the provision of service dogs to eligible veterans with post-traumatic stress disorder, and for other purposes. “ The current wait-time is two years for a dog under this program, so this will have to be a benefit other veteran can use in the future.
Obedience Training:
Jasmine was trained for a year before we even met. She came with a handbook of all the commands and how she should react to each command. It even showed the associated hand commands so that I could speak to her with my hands in the event it was loud or silent. Here are some things Jasmine was trained on:
Basic Obedience:
- Sit, down, up, stay, leave it, come, stop, slow down, heal (right), play - these are core commands that Jasmine knows by sound and hand gesture. She knows these are absolute, non-negotiable commands that she must obey without hesitation.
- She NEVER even accidentally poops or pees unless she has permission. This requires discipline and communication between both the dog and the handler.
- She walks at my right to the “heel” command and is aware of my pace. She walks comfortably without pulling.
- Aggression: Jasmine was trained to ignore other animals in passing, and she never barks or growls at anyone. Jasmine never faced a situation where she need to protect me, so I can’t say what she would do. That being said, she is a Golden Retriever with the temperament of an Angel, and she likes to spread love.
- She steps into kennels without hesitation and lays calmly until I return. This is a common occurrence when we are at Disney World because there are some rides she can’t go on, so they provide a kennel with an escort the whole time while I am on the ride without her.
- She loads in and out of a vehicle on command.
- She enters a restaurant calmly and lays under the table the whole time. I use this opportunity to give her water and food as needed.
- Jasmine is trained to play on command. The law provides that I may unleash her to get exercise since I may not be able to provide the movement she needs. Jasmine is trained to strictly obey my voice, stay in the immediate vicinity, and make the most of a small area (like a field) to run around or play fetch.
- She was also trained to wear “clothing” such as a service dog vest, booties (for hot surfaces), LED accessories, saddle bags, and even the occasional Mickey Ears if we are out and about.
- Jasmine was socialized to react neutrally to crowds of people or to people coming up to me. But I also realize that Golden Retrievers are lovers and enjoy meeting people. Therefore, when I say, “Say hi, Jasmine,” she knows that she is allowed to interact with the person in front of us.
Advanced Skills:
- Jasmine was trained to ring a bell when she wants to go outside. Merida will be trained using newer technology that will allow her to signal when she wants to eat, drink or play using intelligent buttons that use my voice to play the command out loud (“food”, “water”, “play”, “pee pee”, “poopie”).
- Jasmine was trained to use stairs getting into and out of a vehicle. This protects her hips from unnecessary damage. Incidentally, she created a custom where when she exits the vehicle, she stands high on the first step and gives me a kiss. She then exits the vehicle and stands patiently while I put away the stairs and put on her leash.
Thanks again and ever cent is very much appreciated!
Organizer and beneficiary
David Romero
Organizer
Kissimmee, FL
Sherry Mers
Beneficiary