Good Shepherd Service Dogs hopes to aid individuals with PTSD

LODI — A new organization based in Lodi hopes to offer service dogs to veterans and those suffering from PTSD. Good Shepherd Service Dogs, which is run by the husband and wife team of Kyle and Kerry Younkin, aims to improve the lives of individuals struggling with post-traumatic stress disorder, such as veterans, first responders and others, by offering service dogs at no cost. Kyle Younkin, who runs the business side of the organization, said that the business was founded in 2022, but the idea has been around since 2016. "We both love dogs and helping people," Kyle Younkin said. "Unfortunately, in 2016 Kerry's father, a Vietnam vet, had struggled with PTSD for a while and unfortunately lost his battle and took his own life. That really spurred us to start looking for ways that we could help other people not go down that same path. We saw how much it devastated family and friends and just really rocked the life of everyone. We just have this strong urge to help other people find solutions to that before it's too late." Kerry Younkin, who is the canine training director for Good Shepherd, said that with the suicide rate rising, they decided to try and do what they could to help those in need. She has been training dogs for over five years and said that two and a half years ago she enrolled in the Animal Behavior Institute, where she learned how to train service and therapy dogs. "Barring suicide, PTSD in general causes other limitations for people," she said. "We want to provide that freedom through service dogs. I also have PTSD, so I do think as a trainer of these dogs, I have a better insight because I live with it myself." Kyle Younkin said that they now have a dog named Ezra who is going through training. Ezra has completed four months of training out of the two-year-long process. The Younkins hope that through more trainers and people helping with the organization, they will eventually be able to speed up this process to make sure that they have dogs available for individuals who need them. "The number of service dogs that people need is exponential," Kerry Younkin said. "We'll never get there. One of the reasons we decided to start this organization is because in Ohio there are not many organizations. The big dream is to eventually acquire more trainers and more people that can help speed up the process." The Younkins hope to get anywhere between two and four more dogs in early spring to start training. Right now, they are focusing on raising funds to build a facility at their property to house more dogs. The Younkins said that the average cost of a service dog is anywhere between $15,000 and $35,000. They said that the goal of the organization is to break down the price barrier, so there will be no costs to people in need. Kerry Younkin said that the training has an increased focus on panic attacks, night terrors, dealing with large crowds and deep pressure therapy. She also said that dogs are taught other tasks, such as fetching items, opening and shutting doors and turning lights off and on. Service dogs also offer simple things like company and a purpose, which helps individuals get through day-to-day struggles, she said. The Younkins know that there is a high demand for service dogs, but they hope that through their organization they can help ease the burden on those who are in need. "Even if it is just a little bit, we want to do what we can to make an impact," Kyle Younkin said. Information on the organization as well as updates on Ezra can be found at goodshepherdservicedogs.com, and donations to the organization are also accepted on the website. Contact reporter Patrick Rhonemus at (330) 721–4050 or prhonemus@medina-gazette.com.