Henderson trainer helps veteran’s labradoodle become certified service dog

Henderson, Nev. Air Force veteran Danielle Brooks stood on a building during the Vegas Golden Knights’ 2023 Stanley Cup parade when the noise triggered a panic attack. The crowd roared around her, and Brooks felt her anxiety and post-traumatic stress disorder surge. She realized she needed a new way to manage her symptoms.

Brooks found that method in Louisiana later that year. Her family adopted puppies from the same litter after her brother’s medical emergency. A five-week-old labradoodle named Nola bonded with Brooks. Back in Las Vegas, the dog’s calm nature led Brooks to seek professional training. She contacted Colin O’Keefe of Dog Training Elite in Henderson.

O’Keefe, a former construction safety manager, launched his Dog Training Elite franchise in 2022. He has trained at least seven service dogs for veterans. He told Brooks that Nola could provide a specific service rather than just emotional comfort. The distinction is critical for veterans managing PTSD.

O’Keefe explained that an emotional support animal provides comfort, while a service dog is trained to intervene during medical moments such as anxiety or diabetes. He began evaluating Nola’s capabilities. The training process required commitment from both the dog and the owner.

The pair completed 11 training sessions. They started in Brooks’ home before moving to public locations. O’Keefe assigned Brooks 20 minutes of daily homework. Brooks noted that the owner must work just as hard as the dog. The process cannot be delegated entirely to the trainer.

Nola now performs specific tasks to help Brooks. She detects changes in Brooks’ heart rate before Brooks notices physical signs like pacing or stuttering. When Nola senses distress, she jumps up for a hug to ground her owner. She is also learning to circle Brooks in crowds to keep other people at a distance.

Brooks said Nola has taken the place of medications for her. She did not claim the approach works for everyone, but it made a difference in her daily life. The dog wears a special blue leash when on duty. At home, Nola plays tug-of-war and watches the TV series Bluey.

Brooks is sharing her story ahead of Veterans Day to clear up misconceptions. She noted that people often mistake Nola’s focused behavior for bad manners. On duty, the dog ignores everyone but Brooks. Brooks recalled a bar that refused service and called police. Officers asked what tasks Nola performed and allowed her to stay under the Americans with Disabilities Act.

Brooks compared the situation to her time in a wheelchair after joint replacements. She asked why people would ask her to leave because of a service dog if they would not ask a wheelchair user to leave. She wants the public to be informed rather than feel sorry for her. Nola continues to work, providing a lifeline for Brooks as she reintegrates into society.