Mark and Service Dog Baxter

“I think the dogs came into my life so I could have my life back. 
The chances of me having a service dog, would
never have happened (without ACTS).”

Mark was one of ACTS’  first clients. Mark is an Iraq war veteran who has back and joint injuries, as well as hearing loss. Mark had always admired service dogs and would think about ways a dog may help him, but he never thought he would have a service dog of his own. 

Mark found ACTS at a local event and spoke to a representative there.  At the time he felt a released dog would be a good fit for him.  He wasn’t ready to go through the process of applying for a service dog.  He received his first dog from ACTS just months after that initial meeting.  Luna, was released from the program as a Dream Dog and the trainers felt that Luna would be a perfect match for Mark.

Having Luna who had been through nearly two years of training, showed Mark what some of the benefits of a highly trained dog could potentially be.  While Luna was not able to help him in public she was trained to help him at home.

During Luna’s senior years, Mark decided that he was ready for a service dog that would be able to travel with him and accompany him when he was not at home.  He was looking into the future and wanted to have continued help with tasks related to his hearing loss and mobility disabilities.

Mark applied and received his second dog from ACTS.  Baxter was trained to help Mark pick things up that he could not reach, open and close doors, and turn on and off lights.  Baxter immediately became a part of Marks life at home and away from home when Mark was out doing errands or attending events with his fellow veterans.  Baxter was able to provide Mark with the support he needed to be out in public.  In Marks case the support he needed required not only tasks to mitigate his physical disabilities, but Baxter was also a steady and solid presence that helped Mark emotionally as well.

“They have a real unique insight on matching dogs with their people,” Mark said.

Because ACTS does not train dogs for tasks specifically related to PTSD or other psychiatric disabilities, it became important that an intuitive dog was selected for Mark.  Mark needed emotional support when he ventured away from his home and Baxter was confident in public places and a solid partner for Mark when he felt stress or anxiety. 

Over the years Luna picked up several new skills to help Mark and as time goes on so does Baxter.  During team training Mark learned how to teach Baxter to “Go Get Dad”.  Marks family worked on this skill with Luna and it helped them a great deal.  Marks’ hearing loss makes it difficult for him to hear when family members are calling for him.  Baxter has learned to go to Mark and bring him to whomever is calling for him.

Mark and Baxter continue to work on new skills and tasks.  Mark needed a dog that would grow with him and Baxter is that dog.  The team continue to grow together learning new skills that are both taught and intuitive.  Baxter is a great working dog supporting Mark both physically and emotionally.