AARP Wyoming’s Support Brings a Life-Changing Service Dog to a Veteran

For 15 years, Dogs and Tags PTSD, TBI of Wyoming—aka Dogs & Tags—has been dedicated to transforming lives through the power of service dogs. Operating solely on donations and fundraisers, the organization works with veterans and civilians suffering from PTSD (Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder) and TBI (Traumatic Brain Injury), helping them find and train service dogs that provide critical support in their daily lives.


Now, thanks to a partnership with AARP Wyoming, one special dog, Bridget, is making a life-changing impact on a veteran and his family.

Bridget, a Bernedoodle, was handpicked for her unique qualities—loyalty, intelligence, and an innate ability to connect with humans. However, her journey to becoming a fully trained service dog has just begun. Paula Cooke, the dedicated trainer behind Dogs & Tags, explained that the selection and training process depends on various factors, including the veteran’s needs, the dog’s temperament, and the nature of their bond.

"When you're testing a dog to be a service dog, you want the dog to want to be with people rather than playing with toys or running around with other dogs," Cooke shared. Having grown up (just 8 months old) alongside her veteran family, Bridget already had a strong foundation for success.



Bridget’s veteran, Mr. Sumer (not his real name), had been searching for a service dog for over a year. His daughter’s allergies meant the family needed a hypoallergenic breed, making the search even more challenging. With the help of Dogs & Tags, they connected with the right bernedoodle and began the journey that would change their lives.

Service dogs like Bridget are trained to assist in specific ways that directly support their handler’s needs. For Mr. Sumer, her tasks include:

✔ Four-Point Heel: Providing spatial awareness and comfort in crowded areas.
✔ Nightmare Wake-Ups: Alerting and calming him during PTSD-induced nightmares.
✔ Anxiety Alerts: Detecting changes in emotions and offering grounding support.
✔ Emergency Assistance: While she is not large enough to physically help him up if he falls, Bridget will be trained to fetch help when needed.

Cooke explained that training PTSD service dogs goes beyond teaching obedience—it involves emotional awareness and behavioral reinforcement to ensure the dog remains present and engaged even in stressful situations.

"One of the key things we do with PTSD service dogs that we don’t typically do with other dogs is teach them to approach their handler even when they are angry, raising their voice, or in distress," Cooke explained. Many dogs instinctively retreat from loud or upset individuals, but service dogs must do the opposite—intervening and providing comfort during emotional distress.

The partnership with AARP Wyoming allowed Mr. Sumer to receive Bridget without financial burden. The cost of a fully trained service dog can range from $20,000 to $60,000, making them out of reach for many veterans, especially those living on disability income—comparatively, Dogs and Tags charges $5000, a grant AARP Wyoming was able to provide.

AARP Wyoming sponsored Bridget through its Volunteer Veterans Advisory Council and its ongoing commitment to improving the lives of veterans in Wyoming. By focusing on meaningful support initiatives, AARP Wyoming aims to make a lasting difference for those who have served.

"With AARP Wyoming’s support, Bridget's training was fully covered. This partnership gave this veteran his life back," Cooke said.

Even before completing her advanced training, Bridget’s presence alone had a profound impact. Mr. Sumer, who had previously withdrawn from daily activities, is excited and hopeful. Paula shared that his wife said the transformation has been remarkable: " He went from being in a deep, dark hole to someone who is engaged and looking forward to each day."

Mr. Sumer mentioned that he has a lot of back pain: “Bridget will lay down next to me and provide emotional support, so while I’m still in physical pain, emotionally, I know my dog is there for me, and that really helps.” 

Bridget is not just a service dog for Mr. Sumer—she has become a source of support for the entire family. With multiple household members struggling with PTSD, the dog’s ability to provide emotional grounding has extended beyond her primary handler.

The need for service dogs like Bridget is greater than ever. Suicide rates among veterans remain alarmingly high, with Wyoming ranking among the states with the highest rates.

"The going rate for veteran suicides used to be 22 a day. It’s now 44 a day," Cooke shared, emphasizing the life-saving impact that service dogs can have. "I can tell you without a doubt—this program has saved lives. It has saved marriages."

Mr. Sumer shared that since their family got Bridget, she’s brought happiness to their family: “We’ve all laughed a lot more, she’s an integral part of our family when she’s gone getting her weeks of training done, we’re in a funk, she goes everywhere with us and doesn’t leave our side.”

Dogs & Tags continues its mission to make service dogs affordable and accessible to those who need them most. While funding remains a challenge, partnerships like the one with AARP Wyoming offer hope for more veterans to receive the critical support they deserve.

For Mr. Sumer and his family, Bridget is more than a service dog—she is a lifeline. When asked what he would tell other veterans considering a service dog, he said, “Don’t be reluctant like I was; I jumped from bridges when I was in the service, I blew stuff u,p and always believed I didn’t need any assistance, but I do, and she’s made a big difference in my life, get the dog.” 

When asked what Bridget might say about her new job, Cooke laughed:

"She’d say, ‘I’m a happy girl!’"

And it’s clear—so is the family whose lives she is changing.

AARP Wyoming is committed to supporting veterans and their families through meaningful initiatives like this. You don’t have to be an AARP member to participate in our events and activities. To learn more about upcoming programs, visit aarp.org/wyevents.

Interested in volunteering to make a difference? Email Jennifer Baier at jbaier@aarp.org for opportunities to get involved.