As a facility dog, Rocket has "staff access" in the hospital along with child life specialist and handler, Anna. Unlike other therapy animals, Rocket can be in a patient room during medical procedures to comfort children and families during particularly stressful moments. Rocket and Anna can also conduct special therapeutic interventions with a child, which may include encouraging a child to walk after surgery, helping a child to learn to take medicine, providing comfort and support during painful moments, or reducing anxiety before or during a procedure.
“If a child needed to get an IV, for example, Rocket could help the child cope with what is happening by creating a calm and comforting presence,” Dressel said.
Rocket has received years of advanced, specialized training from Georgia-based Canine Assistants, a nonprofit dedicated to educating and placing service dogs with individuals and in healthcare settings.
“There is nothing more important than the health and well-being of our children. The bond between pets and kids is extra special.” – Charlie Nelson, President of KLN Family Brands
]]>American Humane's Pups4Patriots program rescues qualified shelter dogs and trains them for the injured veterans. The training standards, designed to maximize the efficacy of the service dog as a treatment method, was developed by a Scientific Advisory Committee of scientists, veteran experts, mental health professionals, animal welfare specialists, veterinarians, dog trainers, and other key advocates.
Jake’s is extremely proud to learn that a couple of our valued customers and highly recommended trainers has been selected to train dogs in this Pups4Patriots program! Marti Hohmann and Ben Probst (West Palm Dog) are currently training Liberty Bell, Sadie, and Caleb.
Liberty Bell was rescued by American Humane as an 8-week-old puppy. Sadie and Caleb were surrendered to the couple. There is a fourth dog on her way from China – a female Lab rescued from the meat trade. All these dogs are typical of the type scouted for service in that they are rescued from homeless situations and are usually Golden Retrievers, Labradors, or mixes of the two. As Robin Ganzert, President & CEO of American Humane, says, “their lives are saved just as they are saving their veteran’s lives”.
American Humane opened its southern headquarters at Royal Palm Way in Palm Beach, Florida. Robin Ganzert had made that decision as soon as she took over the leadership role for the non-profit. She believes there are a lot of local people interested in serving American Humane’s mission. She acknowledges that there are obstacles in the way of veterans getting the service dogs they need: waiting lists are long, the application process is daunting, and the intensive compulsory training cost can be upwards of $30,000. She is hopeful that the Pups4Patriots program will allow more veterans to get the PTS service dogs they need.
Jake’s: With such an overwhelming process to obtain a service dog through an organization, do people sometimes try to train their own dog for service?
Marti: Yes, but there’s a lot they need to know about the process, and there can be a lot of disappointment. We strongly discourage people from purchasing a puppy or rescuing a dog on their own and hoping for the best! Not every breed is suitable for every life task, and some dogs just don’t have the temperament or physical strength to be of service.
Jake’s: Are certain breeds recognized as more suited to providing service?
Marti: There is no nationwide certification or standard, but some breeds are better suited to certain tasks. For instance, a retrieving dog can easily be trained to get things off the counter or scoop it up from the floor, handing it to a disabled person.
If the person suffers from PTS and desires a screen between themselves and others when out in public, any large dog can do this. It’s called “Blocking” – the dog aligns its body perpendicular to the person to create space.
If a person has balance issues and will rely on the dog for bracing, a large, sturdy dog like a Labrador, Golden Retriever, or Standard Poodle will be best suited.
Jake’s: Do you train dogs for service, apart from working with big organizations like American Humane?
Marti: Yes, Ben & I work with private clients, too. We advise people who work with trainers to ask that their dog be evaluated at 6, 12, and 18 months. If selecting a dog from a shelter or rescue, they should ask the trainer to help with the selection.
The person should be prepared to practice in public to get their dog ready for public access. Most dogs practice from puppyhood through early adulthood (18-24 months). By graduation, they should be able to pass the AKC Canine Good Citizen exam, the AKC Urban CGC exam, and perform tasks accurately and quickly to improve the person's quality of life.
]]>Since 2018, Fromm Family Foods has been the exclusive food partner to Southeastern Guide Dogs, providing free food to all breeding dogs, and mothers and puppies in training up until graduation. Even after the service dog is placed with their handler, SGD continues to provide free Fromm food for the life of the working team, usually by connecting them with a local retailer.
Not every dog can make it through their stringent training program. See if Pip can pass the test!
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Most of New Horizons’ recipients are adult and children in wheelchairs or those in need of other mobility assistance. They also train dogs for veterans with disabilities and children with autism. The dogs can perform daily tasks such as pulling wheelchairs, opening and closing doors, helping with laundry, turning on and off light switches, and retrieving dropped items. Importantly, some of the dogs are trained to prevent autistic children from wandering off.
In essence, the new Horizons Service Dogs provide the recipient with self-sufficiency, independence, mobility, and self-esteem. They allow their partners to attend school, remain gainfully employed, and have an improved overall quality of life.
According to the most recent information posted on the New Horizons website, the cost of breeding, training, and placing a service dog can range from $25,000-$30,000. To offset the costs, they rely on sponsors like Fromm Pet Foods. From their website:
Through sponsorships and donations, dogs are provided free to their recipients in exchange for help with fundraising. New Horizons has graduated over 800 recipient/dog teams, including one of our favorite customers, “Buffett” Goldstein.
]]>Over 70 million U.S. owners consider dogs as companions. But an even greater number, nearly 80 million Americans, rely on the service they receive from the dogs they consider their working partners. Dogs that are properly trained for service can significantly affect the health and welfare of people with physical disabilities: they can be the eyes and ears, retrievers, door openers, stability, and warning indicators that allow a disabled person to live an independent life.
Aside from these physical aids, service dogs can offer benefits that enhance emotional welfare thanks to their unique bond with their owners. Generally, there are three categories of service dogs recognized by the Americans With Disablities Act (ADA):
Service dogs are ideal for people with limited mobility, such as those who use wheelchairs. They can provide physical support or be trained to help with daily tasks like opening doors and fetching objects.
For this type of support, it's important for the handler to start bonding with his or her dog right away in order for the dog to learn what the person's needs are.
Dogs can be trained to help individuals with everyday tasks like fetching medications and carrying items if the owner is not strong enough. Guiding Eye Dogs fall into this category, protecting their low-vision handlers from injuring themselves due to unknown obstructions.
Generally, larger, sturdier breeds are trained for this category such as Labradors, Golden Retrievers, Standard Poodles, and Greyhounds. However, smaller breeds can be ideal for individuals with autism and PTSD.
Therapy Animals are not trained to assist in major life tasks, so they are not recognized by the ADA as Service Dogs. They are trained to bring comfort to individuals following natural disasters, or to people who are hospitalized or isolated in a nursing home. A group of therapy dogs was and continues to be of great support to students and families of the Marjorie Stoneman Douglas High School in Parkland following the horrific shooting there.
These are typically very calm dogs who have an ability to provide love and compassion.
Similar to Therapy Dogs, ESA, or Emotional Support Animals, are not recognized by the ADA as Sevice Animals because they aren't trained to carry out life tasks; instead, they provide emotional support through they're loyalty. This emotional support can reduce loneliness and provide an enhanced feeling of security, and any domesticated pet can be considered an ESA, provided the handler has been diagnosed by a mental health professional.
Similar to ESA, Therapy Animals are not trained to assist in major life tasks. They are trained to bring comfort to individuals following natural disasters, or to people who are hospitalized or isolated in a nursing home. A group of therapy dogs was and continues to be of great support to students and families of the Marjorie Stoneman Douglas High School in Parkland following the horrific shooting there.
These are typically very calm dogs who have an ability to provide love and compassion.
If you have any disability a service dog can assist with, you should explore ithe possibities. If you’re not certain whether your disability is extreme enough to get a service dog, consider whether your daily chores would be easier and safer if you had one. The process isn't quick, but the reward is life-changing. Be aware that there are lots of resources online, but not all are trust-worthy.
We're proud to have a number of customers who are certified as Service Dog Trainers or who work with legitimate, honorable organizations. Check out some of their stories here, and reach out to them if you are or someone you love could use assistance.
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Jake’s: You’ve been working with greyhounds for over 22 years. What gave you confidence they would make good therapy/service dogs?
Barbara: Faced with nay-sayers (“You’ll never turn a racing dog into a service dog”), I knew it would work due to my intimate knowledge of the breed. They are taller than many other breeds and thus good for mobility assistance. They are very intuitive – thus good for PTSD and Traumatic Brain Injuries. They bond closely and become very familiar with their human – thus good for trigger alert to various illnesses. It was a no-brainer to get them to the point of becoming battle buddies to their human.
Jake’s: So, you started training Greyhounds in 2011 as service dogs and donating them to veterans through Hounds & Heroes. How successful has this program been?
Barbara: Since 2011, I’ve placed 50 dogs with veterans, some having their second dog as the first retired or passed away. The feeling is so heartwarming to see the dog begin to bond with the veteran during training. And I know that it will get stronger and stronger as they spend time together.
Jake’s: It must be very rewarding knowing how these dogs change the lives of their recipients.
Barbara: Comments from the veterans are amazing as to the difference the dog has made in their lives. Comments also come from family members and from just friends who have seen the difference in the veteran due to having the service dog at his/her side.
Jake’s: Can you share some of the comments?
Barbara: From the wife of a veteran, “If I thanked you every day all day I still wouldn't be able to truly express how thankful I am, or be able to explain the magnitude of this amazing gift you have given my husband and my family. It takes everything I have in me not to burst into tears of joy when I watch my husband interact with Stormy. To see him actually relax in a public setting and then confidently walk away from us with his new friend is mind blowing. Something that may seem so small of an accomplishment to others is life changing for us and I have you and Stormy to thank for that. This is the beginning of a beautiful journey for Stormy and XXXX and I can't wait to see what the future holds for both of our fearless warriors.”
Jake’s: What kinds of tasks can a Greyhound provide in support of a veteran’s life?
Barbara: Here’s a letter that describes exactly that:
“The most important thing my service dog, Coral, does for me is remind me to take my medications every day. I used to forget before she came into my life and the results were suicidal thoughts or even actions. So, I can honestly say Coral saves my life every single day! Coral has helped me boost my confidence to feel safe to leave my home, go to work, shop, leave a situation that causes a rise in anxiety, travel, and go out and live life. She nudges me awake each morning (due to sedative meds it’s hard to wake up), so I can stay gainfully employed. Me and family need that! She serves as a buffer between me and others when situations call for it, interrupts nightmares and flashbacks, and helps lower my blood pressure while increasing my serotonin levels with her unconditional love and super sweet disposition. I’m much more confident thanks to her that I want to share all the good things she does, and that’s not always a comfortable thing for me to do. She does all this and more for me. How do you repay this magnificent being that gives so much unconditionally? I give her the best life I can give and share her story for all to hear. To say I feel like the luckiest person on earth is an understatement. She is priceless and precious. She is my Coral.”
Jake’s: What’s the process for taking a Greyhound from retired race dog to Service Provider?
Barbara: From the minute I meet the dogs that are available to come into our program to the end of the process when they are placed, it is all a wonderful adventure.
Each dog is carefully screened for temperament and health and then placed in a foster home. We rely on our foster families to further assess each dog's personality to determine what kind of family would be the best fit.
We conduct a complete physical work up (including blood work) prior to turning dogs over to their adoptive owners. They undergo dental treatments if necessary, microchipping, vaccinations, and all other appropriate tests.
The intensive training process for the dog and the veteran together can take 4-6 months and cost thousands of dollars. Some of the greyhounds are trained at Southtech Academy in Boynton Beach. We consider this a Win-Win-Win situation: Win for the dogs to be trained - win for the veterans and first responders who get the fully trained dog - and win for the students who learn how to train a service dog in addition to the regular classroom studies.
Among our certified trainers are Carolee Ellison, Andrew Laney, and Sally Saxton. There are many others that have worked with our pups - too many to list here but to whom we are thankful for.
Jake’s: The program is run entirely by volunteers?
Barbara: Yes, and it’s incredibly necessary to have a loyal group help with marketing, fundraising, and “Meet & Greets”. Is there a “cult” of greyhound owners? Yes, that is probably the right word. We are obsessive / compulsive about our wonderful breed.
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