I had the honor of being a guest on the latest episode of the Beyond the Vest podcast, hosted by Stacie Litsenberger. We delved into the fascinating world of service dogs, specifically discussing the introduction to the life of a service dog in training, with a special focus on a dog named Arliss. Here are three key takeaways from our enlightening conversation:1️⃣ Impulse control is crucial: Arliss initially struggled with impulse control issues, making his training journey a challenging one. However, with consistent structure and guidance, he showed remarkable resilience and growth. It serves as a reminder that impulse control training is an essential aspect of service dog training.2️⃣ Change of venue can facilitate progress: Sometimes, a change of environment can work wonders for a dog in training. Arliss's transition from the training center to my care resulted in positive behavioral changes. It reinforces the importance of providing service dogs with exposure to various settings, helping them adapt more effectively in real-world scenarios.3️⃣ Consistency and structure are key: Service dogs, like people, thrive on consistency and structure. By establishing clear routines and boundaries, we can help service dogs develop the skills necessary to assist veterans effectively. Arliss's transformation demonstrates the transformative power of consistency and structure.hank you to Stacie Litsenberger and the Beyond the Vest team for having me on the podcast. If you're interested in learning more about the fascinating world of service dogs, be sure to tune in to this episode. Don't forget to subscribe, write a review, or reach out to podcasts@va.gov with any questions or feedback.#BeyondTheVestPodcast #ServiceDogs #TrainingJourney #ImpulseControl #ChangeOfVenue #ConsistencyAndStructure