Nate Schoemer Show | Episode 11 - Steve Baxley

TL;DR

Steve Baxley trains Collies for service work to aid veterans and children.

Transcript

welcome back to another episode today i sit down with steve baxley who's been a breeder of collies under the oversight of the american kennel club for over 45 years in 2017 steve co-founded plumito service dogs a non-profit organization that provides healthy professionally trained colleagues to veterans with ptsd and children and adults with autism... Read More

Key Insights

• Steve Baxley has over 45 years of experience breeding Collies under the American Kennel Club's standards.
• In 2017, Steve co-founded Palmetto Service Dogs, a non-profit providing trained Collies to veterans and children with various needs.
• The organization focuses on training service dogs for veterans with PTSD and children with autism, diabetes, or epilepsy.
• Steve's son, Grant, heads the training department, applying techniques learned from renowned trainers Tom Rose and Michael Ellis.
• Training begins at birth with socialization and exposure to various environments to build confidence and adaptability.
• The organization emphasizes the importance of obedience training and matching the right dog with the right person.
• Steve and his team maintain a lifelong commitment to the families receiving service dogs, offering ongoing support and training.
• Public support and donations are crucial for the non-profit's sustainability and ability to provide service dogs at no cost.

Questions & Answers

Q: What is the main focus of Palmetto Service Dogs?

The main focus of Palmetto Service Dogs is to provide professionally trained Collies to veterans with PTSD and children with autism, diabetes, or epilepsy. The organization aims to improve the quality of life for these individuals by matching them with a suitable service dog that can assist with their specific needs.

Q: How does the training process for service dogs begin?

The training process for service dogs begins at birth with socialization and exposure to various environments. This includes handling the puppies, exposing them to different surfaces and noises, and gradually introducing them to more complex tasks. The goal is to build the puppies' confidence and adaptability, ensuring they are well-prepared for their future roles as service dogs.

Q: What role does Grant play in the training of service dogs?

Grant, Steve Baxley's son, heads the training department at Palmetto Service Dogs. He applies techniques learned from renowned trainers Tom Rose and Michael Ellis to train the Collies. Grant's training approach includes a combination of methods from these trainers, focusing on obedience, socialization, and confidence-building to prepare the dogs for service work.

Q: How does Palmetto Service Dogs ensure a good match between the dog and the recipient?

Palmetto Service Dogs ensures a good match between the dog and the recipient by carefully assessing the needs of the individual and the temperament and skills of the dog. They consider factors such as the recipient's disability, lifestyle, and preferences, as well as the dog's training progress and personality, to make the best match possible.

Q: What ongoing support does Palmetto Service Dogs offer to families with service dogs?

Palmetto Service Dogs offers lifelong support to families with service dogs. This includes regular follow-ups, additional training sessions if needed, and assistance with any issues that may arise. The organization is committed to ensuring that the service dogs remain effective and that the recipients continue to benefit from their presence.

Q: How can the public support Palmetto Service Dogs?

The public can support Palmetto Service Dogs by making donations through their website, participating in fundraisers, or setting up birthday fundraisers on Facebook. Every contribution, no matter the size, helps the organization continue its mission of providing service dogs at no cost to veterans and children in need.

Q: What are some challenges faced by Palmetto Service Dogs?

Some challenges faced by Palmetto Service Dogs include securing sufficient funding to cover the costs of training and providing service dogs, as well as maintaining a strong donor base. The organization also faces the challenge of meeting the high demand for service dogs while ensuring that each dog is properly trained and matched with the right recipient.

Q: Why is it important to find a reputable breeder for service dogs?

Finding a reputable breeder is important for service dogs because it ensures that the puppies are healthy, well-bred, and have the right temperament for service work. Reputable breeders conduct genetic testing, provide proper socialization, and maintain high standards of care, which are crucial for producing dogs that can effectively perform service tasks and improve the quality of life for their recipients.

Summary & Key Takeaways

• Steve Baxley, with over 45 years of experience, breeds Collies for service work under the AKC's standards. He co-founded Palmetto Service Dogs in 2017, providing trained Collies to veterans with PTSD and children with autism, diabetes, or epilepsy. The organization emphasizes genetic testing, training, and matching the right dog with the right person.

• Training starts at birth, focusing on socialization and exposure to various environments to build confidence. Steve's son, Grant, leads the training using techniques from Tom Rose and Michael Ellis. The organization offers lifelong support to families receiving service dogs, ensuring the dogs' effectiveness and the recipients' well-being.

• Palmetto Service Dogs relies heavily on public support and donations to continue its mission. Steve encourages open-mindedness in training methods and highlights the importance of finding reputable breeders. The organization aims to improve the quality of life for veterans and children through the use of well-trained service dogs.