Newly trained service dogs and their veterans receive a realistic clinical experience simulation.
CHESAPEAKE, Va. — For the first time, a unique partnership between the Sentara Simulation Center in Chesapeake and the Virginia Beach-based nonprofit Mutts with a Mission is giving a realistic clinical experience for service dogs and their handlers.
On Thursday morning, eight newly trained service dogs and their veterans headed to the Sentara Simulation Center to get realistic experience in a simulated hospital room.
“It’s a culmination of all the love and care that we’ve poured into these dogs, and to see it all come together is just incredible,” expressed Jo Ofeldt, the Office Manager & Puppy Raiser for Mutts with a Mission.
It’s an experience that handlers say is crucial for their everyday lives.
“It’s nice to have that touch point that if I need something, he’s there and he’s going to do what he’s supposed to do,” said service dog handler Jamey Habert. “He’s going to act appropriately, and that’s the big thing.”
This is the first time since their inception in 2008 that Mutts with a Mission has had an opportunity for this type of final-phase training for their dogs.
“We know that they’re going to do well, but we need to give the confidence to their handlers to know that their dog will lay there, will interact with the doctors and the nurses, and they’ll be there to nudge them when they start to get anxious and to ground themselves,” explained Ofeldt.
Sentara Simulation Center said this kind of training is a game changer for the medical field to continue to serve this portion of the community, along with their canine friends.
“A big thing I’ve learned from this is awareness from a healthcare perspective,” said Sentara Simulation Center manager Debra Gillis. “So, being in awareness of the anxiety that can be produced for the patient and now their service animal, and really trying to give them the opportunity to simulate those feelings.”
Between checking blood pressure, listening to their lungs, monitoring their heart, or more intense work, we’re told this is changing the way service dogs and their handlers interact, and gives them a sense of comfort and acceptance.
Habert attests to that.
“I really appreciate more people are getting on board on who these guys really are and allowing us to do these types of things,” Habert said. “So, when the guys go out, they’ll know that the dogs are trained, and it’s a better learning opportunity for all the people involved.”
Those at Sentara say this partnership is setting up a new path for care for service vets, healthcare workers, and Mutts with a Mission.
“Hopefully this will bring more awareness that this is even an option and about the organization and how we can better serve our veterans and those who dedicated their careers and their lives,” Gillis stated.
Officials at Sentara Simulation Center hope to continue this partnership and offer more training in the future.
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