Building Trust

Building Trust

From Wayne’s Journal

This week, Charlie and I had the opportunity to train at Bass Pro during our group meeting. We practiced and refined our skills under the supervision of Julie, Adam, and Brian. Charlie, as always, was absolutely amazing. If there were any mistakes made, well — they were mine! (Haha).

At every training session, there’s always one lesson or concept that really sticks with me. This week, it was redirection. While it wasn’t a new concept, it was the one that truly resonated with me. Instead of saying “No,” “Stop it,” or repeatedly calling Charlie’s name when he’s doing something I don’t want him to do, I learned that it’s far more effective to redirect him. This means guiding him toward a positive behavior rather than simply correcting the negative one. Using positive motivators — like offering a treat, encouraging communication, or proactively avoiding distractions — keeps  us in a more productive, calm frame of mind. The key takeaway? If it creeps into my voice, my frustration or irritation can unintentionally confuse or stress Charlie. By focusing on redirection, I’m learning to better communicate with him in a way that keeps us both confident and composed.

During my individual training with Julie, we addressed something new: Charlie’s possessiveness toward me, particularly when it came to my wife, Christina. While Charlie has clearly bonded deeply with me, I started to notice that he was becoming overly protective. Even at home, he follows me everywhere, keeping me in his line of sight no matter where I go. When I leave the house — whether it’s to do yard work or run a quick errand — he becomes visibly unsettled if he can’t come with me.

Julie explained that Charlie is still figuring out his place within our family. It’s normal at this early stage for him to test boundaries and display some possessive tendencies. To help him establish a healthier dynamic, Julie recommended that Christina take a more active role in Charlie’s care and training. She suggested that Christina be the one to feed Charlie and regularly practice his skills with him.

It was remarkable how quickly we saw results. Within just two days, Charlie had started listening to and obeying Christina’s commands. The bond between them grew stronger with each session. Christina absolutely adores Charlie, and watching their relationship flourish has been such a joy. The simple techniques Julie provided not only improved their connection but also gave Charlie more confidence in his place within our family.

As we continue to train and grow together, the bond between Charlie and me only deepens. With each lesson, I become more aware of how much we rely on and trust each other. This entire experience continues to amaze me — it’s giving me  the skills and the confidence  I need for the road ahead.

Feeling Freedom

From Wayne’s Journal

Oh my gosh — has it really been seven weeks since Charlie and I began this journey together? It’s hard to believe how quickly the time has flown by, especially with all the traveling back and forth between Greensboro, NC, and Flintstone, TN. Despite the miles, Charlie and I have continued to hit significant milestones week after week.

This week, however, came with an unexpected surprise. During our daily practice, I discovered that Charlie was responding to my hand signals alone, without me needing to say a word other than his name. How freaking cool is that?! Watching him pick up on my nonverbal cues made me so proud and gave me an extra boost of confidence.

For our group training session, Julie had us meet at Northgate Mall. I have to say Charlie made me beam with pride as we worked through our exercises. He has truly become the best companion a person could ask for. As part of the training, we stopped at an Old Chicago restaurant for a meal, and once again, Charlie was incredible. He stayed calm, focused, and completely at ease, even in the busy public setting. With each passing week, I can feel my confidence growing when I’m out in public with Charlie by my side.

But the real test of the week came later. One of our grandsons is getting married soon, and Christina needed a new dress for the wedding. Now, let me be honest, there were two potential challenges here, shopping in public and finding the perfect dress. 

Even so, I decided that with Charlie’s support, I would accompany Christina on her quest. Now, this might seem like a normal outing to some, but for me, it was a huge step. In the past, I probably wouldn’t have even considered it. But knowing how much Christina values my opinion and how much more secure she feels when I’m with her. I wanted to be there.

We spent the better part of the day going from store to store, with Christina trying on dress after dress. It took three stores before she finally found the one that made her smile. To celebrate, we treated ourselves to a meal at Jersey Mike’s and enjoyed a delicious Philly Steak and Cheese sandwich.

Yes, there were moments when my anxiety began to creep in. Crowded stores and the general overstimulation of being out in public can still get to me. But with Charlie by my side and being mindful of my surroundings, I made it through — without having to escape or leave Christina alone. That’s no small feat. In fact, it was monumental.

Later, Christina commented on just how much Charlie has positively impacted my life. She was so pleased that I had spent the day with her and that we could share that time. Her words meant everything to me.

For some, this might seem like an ordinary outing. But for me, it was a massive victory. It gave me a glimpse into the future — where I can have more positive experiences with family and friends. These are experiences that, not too long ago, I wouldn’t have even considered. In the past, I would have fled, retreating into isolation. But now, with Charlie’s support, I feel more confident in facing these moments head-on.

I’m not cured of my demons. I know they still linger. But with each step forward, I’m building confidence and developing coping skills. And I’m doing it all with the help of my best friend and constant companion — Charlie.

Thanks be to God.
And a heartfelt thank you to everyone at Warrior Freedom Service Dogs.