Living With PTSD Is Not Just About Coping — It’s About Reclaiming Your Life
Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder can interrupt sleep, trigger hyper-vigilance, cause panic in public spaces, and make even everyday tasks feel unsafe. A well-trained PTSD service dog can act as a stabilizing partner — quietly recognizing signs of stress before they escalate, grounding you during flashbacks or dissociation, and helping you re-enter life with greater independence.
At Canine Evolutions, Cynologist Bart de Gols and his team don’t train dogs to simply “perform tasks.” We build thinking partners — dogs who respond to subtle changes in scent, posture, breathing, and emotion to help you regain control when the nervous system goes into survival mode.
What a PTSD Service Dog Can Do
A dog’s abilities go far beyond comfort. Properly trained PTSD service dogs can:
Interrupt Panic or Flashbacks — Apply deep pressure, paw, nudge, or lick to re-anchor you to the present.
Night Terror & Nightmare Interruption — Wake you from severe dreams and help reset your nervous system.
Crowd Navigation & Buffering — Create space in lines or crowded rooms, guide to exits calmly.
Medication & Reminder Tasks — Retrieve medication or remind you to take it on schedule.
Room & Safety Checks — Enter rooms first and signal that they’re clear.
Anxiety Alerting — Detect early changes in heart rate, breathing, or scent linked to rising anxiety.
Every dog is trained for YOUR triggers and YOUR daily life — not a generic checklist.
Our Unique Training Approach
Neuroscience-Driven: We understand PTSD as a brain-body condition. Our methods integrate limbic resonance, memory science, and cognitive-primal balance so the dog remains calm and functional even when you are overwhelmed.
Relationship-Based: Dogs aren’t “push-button robots.” They work best when they trust and respect you. We build that relationship during training and teach you how to maintain it long term.
Real-World Proofing: Training goes far beyond a classroom. We expose dogs to stores, restaurants, transit, crowds, and unexpected sounds to ensure reliability everywhere.
Handler Education: We spend significant time with you — teaching handling, reading canine body language, and keeping tasks sharp for years to come.
Program Structure
Free Initial Evaluation — Understand your PTSD triggers, daily routines, and whether your current dog can be trained or a new candidate is better.
Foundation Work — Engagement, impulse control, and relationship building.
Task Development — Scent, alerting, grounding, nightmare interruption, safety behaviors.
Public Access & Generalization — Proofing tasks in real-world environments.
Handler Transition — Hands-on coaching so you and your dog succeed together.
Training length varies depending on complexity but typically ranges from 12–18 months.
Investment & Tax Information
PTSD service dog programs at Canine Evolutions typically range from $30,000 to $60,000+ depending on the dog’s starting point and the complexity of tasks.
Under IRS Publication 502, service dogs and their training costs are usually tax deductible when prescribed for a diagnosed disability.
Why Choose Canine Evolutions
Over 30 years of professional canine behavior and neuroscience-based training experience.
Led by Bart de Gols, internationally recognized cynologist and educator.
Proven success in psychiatric and PTSD service dogs, including complex cases and co-morbid conditions.
Ongoing lifetime support and training resources for graduates.
Ready to Begin?
Your healing journey doesn’t have to be solitary. A properly trained PTSD service dog can change everything.
📞 Call 360-469-3171