Clarissa Black, KPA-CTP, IAABC-ADT, CPDT-KA, SDC, is the founder of Pets for Vets, a nonprofit that matches veterans with animals from shelters. Her background includes a bachelor’s in animal science from Cornell University and a master’s in anthrozoology from Canisius College. She has experience training marine mammals, pets and therapy dogs as well as service dogs.
Can you give us a little information about your background in training and animal behavior?
I have always been fascinated by animal behavior and the power of the human-animal bond. After graduating from college, I moved to Hawaii to work as a dolphin trainer. Working side by side with these incredible animals, I realized I loved building relationships with the animals I worked with. My work with marine mammals was a catalyst for me to develop a training style that focuses on positive reinforcement, non-force-based training and the human-animal relationship, building a strong bond based on trust and mutual respect.
I eventually shifted my focus to professional dog training, where I was able to apply many of these same lessons and training principles. During this time, I developed personalized training and behavior plans that helped set both the owner and the dog up for success using positive reinforcement techniques.
What inspired you to found Pets for Vets?
I started Pets for Vets in 2009 after a visit to a local VA. Many of the veterans’ faces would light up as they interacted with my dog, Bear. A few veterans asked if they could take my dog home. It was in that moment that I thought, Why is therapy one hour, once a week, inside the walls of the VA? I thought I could use my training skills and knowledge of dogs to match veterans with the right dog for them. I could select the appropriate dog from a shelter or rescue and provide a foundation of training and support in order to mitigate the stress of adopting a new dog. This would give each veteran their own “Bear” connection. I wanted this to be my way to say thank you to those who had given so much to our country. At the time, Pets for Vets was the only program providing dogs for veterans who did not qualify for a service dog. Through the years I have developed a service dog program for our veterans as well.
Tell us about Pets for Vets.
Pets for Vets pairs custom-trained working animals with veterans in need; this can include service dogs as well as companion animals. Many veterans don’t require a service dog but could benefit from a well-mannered dog to be their best friend.
The mission of Pets for Vets is to “enrich the lives of veterans by creating a Super Bond with custom trained working animals.” Super Bond refers to the unique matching process I developed. Each veteran completes an in-depth application and participates in an in-person getting-to-know-you process designed to ascertain their expectations, lifestyle, personal goals and needs. This guides us toward the right animal for their situation. We then carefully evaluate appropriate animals to find the one whose personality and temperament best complements the veteran’s and who will be able to perform any required tasks. We also evaluate whether the dog will thrive in a given home. Each dog is unique and needs to be listened to and given agency.
Pets for Vets focuses on rescue dogs, as we believe in giving second chances to animals in need while making a difference in the lives of veterans. Once a dog is selected for a particular veteran, the animal spends time in the home of one of our professional trainers to learn the necessary skills, behaviors and tasks. When the dog is ready to be placed with the veteran, we also provide a welcome package of equipment and supplies to make the transition as smooth as possible. We follow up for the lifetime of the match and even have an emergency veterinary fund. Our program is provided at no cost to our veterans.
Tell us what you most enjoy about working with veterans and service dogs
Every dog and every human is unique. It requires listening to both the veteran and the dog to make sure that each is getting exactly what they need. My favorite part of the program is spending time with each veteran discussing their needs and then being creative with the type of task training I can teach their selected match. Pets for Vets focuses on dogs that support clients with PTSD. I love following up for the lifetime of the match and often I will be asked to provide a second match in the future. My personal reinforcement is seeing the success of the teams I have paired.
I have been grateful for the friendships I have developed with each veteran I have worked with and love seeing how each dog changes their lives. I have even been invited to weddings, baby showers and baseball games. Some veterans even go on to pay it forward by working with their dogs to become therapy dogs who visit fellow veterans.
What has surprised you about working with service dogs?
Through the years working with service dogs, I have discovered that there is not necessarily just one breed that is best suited for any given task. It’s really about the temperament. Dogs of many breeds, including mixed breeds, have the potential to be service dogs if their temperament aligns with what they are being asked to do and they show a preference and facility for the task.
What motivated you to enroll in the SDC course?
The Pets for Vets goal is to be the recognized authority on the therapeutic benefits of the human-animal connection resulting in the successful selection and placement of custom-trained working animals with veterans. After careful research, I saw that the SDC course was the perfect way to further my knowledge and expertise working with service animals and task training.
I enjoyed the self-paced aspect of the Service Dog Coach program that allowed me to fit it into my busy schedule, as well as the user-friendly platform. In addition, I enjoyed networking with other trainers and being able to collaborate with colleagues after the course was over.
What advice would you give to trainers thinking about getting involved in service dog training?
Proper selection of a service dog is key, and it requires listening to the animal and what their behavior is telling you. Many dogs aren’t suited to be service dogs; they need to have the right temperament and size appropriate for the required task. Training is a long process, and you need to work with the animal in front of you, listening to what they are telling you and adjusting accordingly. It is important to give agency to the dog and watch for signs that the animal enjoys working rather than signs of stress, boredom or frustration.