Shelter to Soldier Steps Up Service Dog Training at Schubach Aviation

One of the many important jobs of a companion service dog is to accompany his or her owner on plane trips.  A recent visit to Schubach Aviation gave Graham Bloem, founder of Shelter To Soldier, and his staff of volunteers the opportunity to train Ty, one of the organization’s adopted dogs, to perform this task.

 

Ty is a Golden Retriever/Great Pyrenees mix that has been specially trained by Bloem for Corporal James Norvell, a combat veteran of the United States Marine Corps who suffered a traumatic brain injury (TBI) from an improvised explosive device while serving in Afghanistan and subsequently was diagnosed with Post Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD).  His injury has caused loss of hearing in his right ear, light sensitivity, migraine headaches, insomnia, and hypervigilence. 

 

Based on his diagnosis of TBI and PTSD, Corporal Norvell’s application for a companion service dog was screened and accepted by Shelter to Soldier’s board of directors. He was later matched with Ty, who has been trained to help calm his anxiety, give him confidence in public, and “watch his six.” Ty has protective instincts, and will also help Corporal Norvell feel that his wife and two children are safe.  After nine months of intense training, Ty will go home to live with Corporal Norvell and his family later this month.

 

In addition to lending its aircraft for training purposes, Schubach Aviation is supporting Shelter to Soldier by donating one cent for each mile its fleet of 12 private aircraft fly during 2013, and by hosting fundraising events at its Palomar Airport hangar to benefit the nonprofit organization.

 

Please join Ranch & Coast Magazine for our Best of San Diego Party on Friday, May 24, from 6-9pm, at Schubach Aviation, to benefit Shelter to Soldier. For complete event details and to purchase tickets, please click here.