Post Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) is typically
associated with men returning from war. Yet women suffer from the same affliction and need similar assistance to
deal with daily life. Theresa Aldrich, who served in the U.S. Navy for eight years in a Naval Aviation Squadron,
sought help…and found it with a 66 pound canine named Cinder.
Cinder was one of five dogs who recently graduated from
Support Dog’s Assistance Dog Program and now lives with Theresa in her South City home. Theresa is the first female veteran suffering from PTSD to receive one of Support Dog’s dogs, which are trained to serve individuals
with varying disabilities. The dogs, which cost $15,000 each to raise and train, are placed with disabled clients
free of charge. Cinder is one of two Psychiatric Service Dogs funded by a grant from the Boeing Corporation.
Prior to Cinder, Theresa took a shower utilizing what she calls her “usual precautions: trash can in front of the
door to make noise if someone entered, looking at the shower curtain constantly, and rushing out as quickly as possible.” Other daily tasks that we all take for granted – from walking around the block (Theresa had not done so in two years) to sleeping through the night – are now possible due to Cinder’s presence and assistance.
Find out what's happening in Mehlville-Oakvillefor free with the latest updates from Patch.
Support Dogs, Inc. is a national non-for-profit organization
that offers dignity, hope and independence by providing highly skilled service dogs to individuals with disabilities and uniquely trained dogs to serve the community. Founded in 1983, the organization provides many services including an Assistance Dog program which matches people with various disabilities with a canine partner, an animal-assisted therapy dog program called TOUCH (Therapy of Unique Canine Helpers), and a Paws For Reading program that places dogs in school. Support Dogs is a proud member of the United Way of Greater St. Louis.
For more information, call (314) 997-2325 or visit the
organization’s web site at www.supportdogs.org.