Service dogs helping to prevent suicides

Paul and Linda Johnson are on a mission to prevent suicide among military veterans and first responders.

They founded the organization Service Dogs Saving Lives in 2022, seven years after they lost their 34-year old son, Joseph, to suicide.

The Johnsons work with breeders to provide highly trained service dogs to veterans and first responders who demonstrate self-harming tendencies.

Statistics indicate that 17 veterans die from suicide every day, 20 first responders a month, according to Paul Johnson.

The Johnsons spoke June 20 at the Rollins Center in Lewes to raise awareness and funds for their initiative.

“The transformative power of a service dog provides hope and healing that helps each person,” Paul Johnson said. “Our goal is to alter the epidemic of lives lost too soon.”

SDSL’s dogs come from two different organizations in Florida.

They use only Labradors, because that is the most responsive breed, and the dogs can learn 20-30 commands, like how to pick up a leash, open a door or press a button. 

The labs are raised from puppies and undergo 12-18 months of training before they are matched with a recipient. Each trained dog costs $25,000.

SDSL provides $5,000 scholarships that allow recipients to spend two weeks in Florida to get matched with their dog.

The organization has given away five service dogs to date and hopes to provide three to five more in 2025.

“Service dogs are one tool in the toolbox for mental health care. Dogs provide a lifesaving difference,” Paul Johnson said.

Dogs from PAWS for People were also part of the event.

That organization brings therapy dogs to people in need at local facilities like Beebe Healthcare, The Lodge at Historic Lewes and Dover Air Force Base. 

“PAWS therapy dogs don’t necessarily have training qualifications, other than the basics — sit, come, stay. They just have to be friendly, affectionate and love people. They can make a big difference, if only temporarily, as opposed to a full-time service dog,” said Harry Martens, a PAWS volunteer.

T.J. Webb was the featured speaker. The former Milford K9 officer was critically injured during a police-involved shooting in Rehoboth Beach in 2020.

“The shooting changed my life and made me realize the profound impact dogs can have on mental health and our well-being. They offer companionship without judgment and comfort our souls when we need it most,” Webb said.

For more information, go to servicedogssavinglives.org.