Welcome readers! Our story this week centers on the uplifting tale of a family from Hanover County, Virginia, and how a service dog helped their son overcome debilitating panic attacks. Read on to learn more.
Service Dog Gives Mechanicsville Boy New Confidence After Years of Living In Fear
For years, 12-year-old Charlie Kreitz of Mechanicsville lived in near-constant fear. Diagnosed with autism and a severe panic disorder at a young age, his anxiety grew to the point where leaving the house became unbearable.
“Charlie’s fear of being around people had become severe, and he was living in a constant state of fear, unable to participate in things he used to enjoy,” said his mother, Angie Kreitz. “It was progressing quickly, and nothing we were doing helped.”
Everything changed the summer when Charlie met Wendy, a two-year-old Golden Retriever and Labrador mix trained as a service dog by Canine Companions. After two weeks of intensive bonding and training at the organization’s Long Island facility, the Kreitz family brought Wendy home. And, within days, they began to see remarkable progress.
Wendy is trained to recognize the early signs of panic attacks and to intervene before they escalate. By pressing her body against Charlie, she helps him regulate his breathing and regain control, a technique that has reduced his recovery time from nearly an hour to mere minutes.
“Charlie has a lot of confidence now that we haven’t seen in a long time,” said his father, Matt Kreitz. “He’s proud to have Wendy by his side in all sorts of public spaces, and it’s giving him an opportunity to thrive and do things he wasn’t able to do before.”
For Charlie, the difference feels simple but profound. “Whenever I go somewhere with her, I just feel better,” he said. “She makes me less nervous and more calm.”
The journey to being paired with Wendy took nearly two years. Canine Companions (a nonprofit that’s been providing service dogs at no cost for five decades) prepares each dog through extensive evaluation and training.
Volunteers raise puppies for about a year before beginning specialized task-training to serve people with disabilities. After applying in 2022, the Kreitz family underwent the lengthy review process and traveled to New York in July for final certification and bonding.
Now, they hope to raise awareness about the vital role of service dogs for people with invisible disabilities. Charlie carries cards explaining Wendy’s duties and reminding others not to pet her while she’s working.
“This can be challenging because they may have great needs that nobody else sees,” Matt said. “You may not know why someone has a service dog, but if it’s legitimate, you can be sure they have a disability and a need.”
Their advocacy reached the state level this September when Gov. Glenn Youngkin declared Sept. 20 as Virginia Service Dog Day, presenting the proclamation to Charlie and Wendy at the Executive Mansion.
Source: ABC8News
CertaPet’s Thoughts on This Week’s News
Service animals like Wendy do more than offer companionship; they provide life-changing independence for people living with disabilities. With the right training and evaluation, these animals empower their handlers to reclaim confidence, freedom, and dignity in a world that can often overlook invisible challenges – something the Kreitz family understands and wants to help overcome with their awareness efforts. Charlie’s story shows how vital nonprofit organizations such as Canine Companions are and the invaluable role they play in helping people with all sorts of disabilities.
Getting a Psychiatric Service Dog (PSD) as part of your treatment care plan has never been easier. If you’re living with emotional or mental health challenges, a PSD could ease your symptoms and help you live a happier, fuller life. If you’re ready to start the process, take our 5-minute pre-screening test for free. We’ll connect you with a licensed mental health professional, who will have a consultation with you. Then, if you qualify, you’ll get your PSD letter in no time.