Berlin-based service dog trainers help forge life-changing bonds

BERLIN, Conn. (WTNH) — The bond between man and dog reaches a different level for U.S. Army Veteran Justin Prosser and service animal Aster.

"Lifechanging," Prosser said.

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Prosser served as a paratrooper for nearly a decade with multiple deployments. Helicopter accidents and near-death moments led to unbearable night terrors as a civilian, until six months ago- cue Aster.

"I sleep which I didn't do that before and my wife ... for years ... we had to sleep with a pillow between us because sometimes in my sleep things would happen," Prosser said. "If I have a nightmare, (Aster) will jump on the bed and stay there with me for the rest of the night."

Prosser and the 3-year-old lab were brought together thanks to the Forever in My Heart Foundation. The Berlin-based non-profit was founded in 2018 and aims to change the lives of people with disabilities and homeless dogs.

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"Everyone's in it for the right reason, we're here to help people," Vice President and Trainer Doug Sanders said.

Their volunteers train dogs for veterans with PTSD or mobility issues as well as children with autism and facility service dogs. Training typically takes around 15 months with an average of six dogs paired a year.

Their commands range from helping pick a phone off the ground to easing anxiety, "Banner, peak-a-boo. This is a distraction so for someone with PTSD, they are typically very anxious around crowds and being around people so this is a good way to direct their angst into paying attention to the dog now," said Sanders.

To everyone's favorite command, "we have snuggle commands, basically it's a big hug," Sanders said.

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Aster, who is a rescue from Ukraine, was trained specifically to help Prosser.

Forever in My Heart Foundation said a service dog like that would typically cost over $30,000 but for the Army Veteran, through fundraisers and donations, Aster was free.

Thanking Prosser for his service with a life-changing service dog.

"Aster jumping on his feet when he has a night terror," Sanders said.

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"Really even before it starts, he wakes me up so he gets in my face, if he doesn't do that, he gets the light and if that doesn't work, he will pull the covers off me and lay on me," Prosser said. "It's huge."

Forever in My Heart Foundation is currently raising money for their veteran in training. They are also looking for families to foster some of their new dogs.

For more information you can visit their website and select the tabs "Ways to Give" or "Get Involved."