Rescued dog becomes disabled veteran's service animal

Veterans Day is special to all of the people at Dog's Nation, formerly known as Second Chance Barnyard. The no-kill rescue facility, which is located just south of El Dorado Springs, has recently placed their fourth "Battle Buddy" service dog with a disabled veteran.

Jimmy Coates waited for 3 long months for Sierra to complete her certification training. "You can tell by the look in his eyes that it was worth all of the effort we had done to save Sierra," said Shawn Abell, the owner of Dog's Nation. Sierra, a 3-year-old mixed breed, came from the Nevada Animal Shelter.

Just before Christmas 2009, Abell called the shelter and asked who was scheduled for euthanasia for that day -- Sierra was one of them. Abell said they actually took three dogs home that day.

"It was our gift to the staff at the shelter," she said. "Little did we know what an incredible gift this dog would be to someone some day."

All of the service dogs placed by Dog's Nation undergo extensive training before placement with a veteran. The animals considered for the training must have some basic qualities to be considered as a service animal. Potential Battle Buddies must be calm and good with children. They must be good around other animals and not averse to being touched, and they must be affectionate.

Chosen animals first receive six weeks of basic obedience training -- sit, stay, that sort of thing. Then comes the specialized, intensive socialization training that makes them a service animal. Three different trainers teach the dogs public access skills and disability-related assistance skills.

Skip Rothenberger volunteers for Dog's Nation and uses his wheelchair to teach tasks like walking beside a wheelchair and how to get through an automatic door. Those and other similar skills are essential for a well-trained service animal.

Rothenberger and other trainers also expose the animals to large crowds of people, such as might be found at a parade, to a variety of social situations, to loud noises and to lots of children. "I take them downtown a couple of times a day," he said. "I spend a lot of time with them."

Rothenberger's own dog, a pit bull named Dizzy, also helps with the training process. That teaches the dogs the proper way to socialize with other animals and they can learn by example, said Rothenberger.

All of the dogs adopted from the old Second Chance Barnyard and Dog's Nation are given to the new owners. Even with the three- to six- month training period required for a service animal, there is no charge to the recipient.

Abell says that the average outlay for an animal is about $250, and it is well worth it to know the animal has a good home and the owner has a good companion. Even though a counselor at the Veterans Administration told her she should charge for the animals, Abell has no plans of changing her system. "I sure do not want to charge a veteran," she said, "The money will come."

And Jimmy Coates is as happy as can be with his dog, Sierra.

"She is an angel," he said, "she has helped me out tremendously."

Coates, a sergeant and 11-year veteran of the United States Army, was injured in a vehicle accident while doing a check on one of the members of his tank crew while stationed at Fort Hood, Texas.

That was in 1994. Coates, now 45, is filled with gratitude toward the folks at Dog's Nation and his dog Sierra.

"They're the best," he said, "the ladies there are just wonderful." He said Sierra is very protective of him. "She gives me unconditional love," Coates said.

Coates uses a wheelchair one much of the time because of injuries to his neck and spine. He received his Battle Buddy on Oct. 27 and they have been constant companions since.

"She guards me from other people," he said, but she is still friendly.

Coates said of Abell, "She is helping out vets; she is a loving, caring woman." Coates also said they are "saving beautiful animals that are loving and caring."

Coates has a Bachelor of Arts in Business Administration with an emphasis on accounting, but has had trouble finding a job. He said Sierra was just what he needed.

"If it wasn't for the Battle Buddy, I don't know where I'd be," he said, "I'd probably be dead."

According to Abell, Dog's Nation recently received a call from Jimmy's counselor saying how much Sierra is helping make his world a safer place. The counselor also referred their services to another veteran in need of a Battle Buddy.

Anyone can volunteer at the facility and certification as a trainer is not required. For more information on the Battle Buddies program or about Dog's Nation contact them at (417) 876-7665.