After 18 years of dedicated service as a combat medic, veteran Anuj Kainth retired in San Antonio. In readapting to civilian life, Anuj was diagnosed with Posttraumatic stress disorder and connected with his service dog, who has helped him overcome trauma and continue living life with his wife and three daughters.
“I got out of the army in 2021 and was having a lot of issues with PTSD,” Kainth said. “I didn’t want to go anywhere, and someone suggested getting a service dog. So I went through a process and trained with Dog Training Elite in San Antonio, where I came across Rye.”
Rye, the 1-year-old black lab, goes everywhere with Kainth and is his “partner in crime.” Rye is trained in item retrieval, deep pressure therapy and making space for Kainth in crowds. This helps get Kainth out in public, allowing him to live a normal, functioning life.
Kainth’s experience training at Dog Training Elite ignited a passion to help people going through similar challenges. When he learned the franchise was interested in planting a Coastal Bend location, the Kainths jumped at the opportunity to bring their family closer to the beach. “The franchise owner in San Antonio encouraged me to use my passion to help others,” explained Kainth. “So we put all our efforts toward starting this franchise, and now here we are.”
Anuj and Jessica now own the Coastal Bend location for Dog Training Elite, a business specializing in training service and therapy dogs, with a focus on veterans suffering from PTSD. Established in March of 2024, the Coastal Bend location trains dogs in basic and advanced obedience, as well as in acting as therapy dogs and service dogs for PTSD and autism support. The business has already generously donated a free training package to a Vietnam veteran and his dog.
How do service dogs help individuals with PTSD or other mental health conditions? Kainth explained that they can interrupt repetitive behaviors, offer grounding and provide companionship. According to the American Psychiatric Association, a study with military members and veterans assigned to a PTSD service dog found that activities such as waking from a nightmare were made easier with the service dog’s assistance. The study found the service dogs benefited their handlers in other ways, such as bringing non-judgmental companionship and joy into their lives, providing routine and responsibility, and helping them connect with family and in social situations.
Kainth encourages other veterans and anyone dealing with mental health issues to seek assistance and remember that help can come in various forms, regardless of how conventional or unconventional they may seem.