Tuesday night was interesting. Emma had to stay home while I went to Helping Paws. I was one of several graduates who came to help work with the dogs in class. I was assigned a dog to work with and given directions on what our goals were. At first of course, it was to get to know one another.
Maddy (or is it Maddie?) was a black lab. She was so petite. She was about ten pounds smaller than Emma. She had a winning personality. I think she was around age 2 and likely to graduate in October? i think I have that detail correct but don't trust my MS mind. Well Maddy was a delight. She had pep, enthusiasm, great eye contact, and was ready to work. she seemed to handle the distraction of the other dogs, and many wheel chairs, extremely well. I told her foster family - I could take her home. There was something about her that reminded me of Emma. Boy would they have fun playing in our yard together.
Even though she was small Maddie did the standard light switch well. We had to practice a bit on the doors. At first her pull was not strong enough. Once she got going she was even able to open a patio door. Way to go Maddy. I am spelling it different as I don't know which is right. I tried to tell the foster mom how much Maddie will change someone's life. How do you describe the relationship, the help, a dog can be???!!!
The second half of class I had another girl JD. J.D. was a loveable Golden. Wow would it be fun to cuddle up with her. She was younger with about another year or so of training I think. She showed me eye contact, good positioning, right away. As we moved about though she was just a bit more distracted by the other dogs. Not a lot just a bit. Then she caught sight of where her foster mom and her son were standing. She worked with me but every once she had to look for them. They must have realized it as then they stood in the doorway by a hallway out of the room.
Well J.D, was smart and still looked that way at times. Their son was their and peeked out a few times and oh JD was looking for him. J.D. did great on the doors and the dressing as did Maddy. Both dogs did great staying with me as I moved the scooter. I think both foster homes are doing a great job. It was an honor to thank them for all their hard work with their dog. I repeated to both of them how their dogs would change someone's life.
I had a few suggestions for each dog. One thing I think for the dogs is getting use to a scooter. They get closer to your body in a wheel chair - especially when doing the front cue. I think it is good the dogs get practice with both. I know many of the people with MS use scooters until it progresses and they need electric wheel chairs. why? Well they are cheaper, easier to transport due to their weight, and usually to get insurance to approve them is easier or so it seemed for me in my case.
Also I know some individuals who normally rely on electric wheel chairs (power chairs) who for various reasons use a scooter at times. I would guess finding a store to practice with a power chair is much easier then finding an power chair. One woman asked me where to go to use scooters, I reminded her besides Cub, grocery stores, target, some of the home improvement stores like Lowe's and Home Depot have scooters. Then you have a lot of space to practice. The Mall of American has them too but they run out fast as it is first come first serve.
Can you tell I liked the experience. I guess it is the teacher in me. The cute thing is I realized how in tune Emma and I have become. With dogs that didn't know me I used the cue "watch" more, and just had to be even more alert and deliberate in all I did. It also was good to talk to some of the graduates. We talked about the issue of remembering to practice cues you don't use all the time. We talked about sometimes reviewing or reinforcing specific cues/commands. We all agreed that certain ones are easier than others for our dogs due to skill and/or their enthusiasm for that task.
It was still light out when we ended. That is a big deal for me because I don't like to drive at night. I also got to see Judy who was there with Charlie. Charlie I think it a bit over a year from "Tiga's first litter. He is a beauty and so well behaved. She was there for work not for the class. I am so pleased she had time to chat and welcome me.
My first question to Judy was "Did you get some sleep?" i think she said she slept 9 hours the night the puppies went home. I bet that was very needed.
One of the things I appreciate about the Helping Paws Staff and Volunteers is how welcoming they are. It was very heart warming to stop and see the puppies Monday, and to go to the class Tuesday and be so warmly received. I think it comes naturally to all of them. Tuesday I was a bit nervous as to what to expect and when I came in, I didn't know the graduates and only one person in the class. By the time I left I had a wonderful time. The foster home families were also awsome. Cooper's foster Dad (is it John?) also took time to chat.
Laugh at this one. After me complaining about people petting without permission...when he came up with Cooper - I just started petting him. He had to tease me as i said "Oh my goodness - I petted without permission". I had just been given permission to pet Charlie and I guess when he walked up with his dog - I just started petting again.
I am wondering if the petting issue is even tougher with Golden's. They look so cuddly and adorable? So often people want to pet Emma. I am curious about the Golden's.
Logan is a Golden and doing great in team training.
Guess what? Today I joined a research program concerning using Oriental Medicine Accupuncture and other therapies to treat MS. I will be in the program for six months if all goes as planned. I met the woman who will be working with me. I am hoping it helps me deal with the headaches, spasm, and pain. I don't expect miracles but I do think trying something that does not involve taking even more medications will be interesting.
At this point I will not be doing a lot with herbs as I worry about the interactions with the many other drugs I take for asthma, diabetes, high blood pressure, and MS. Emma was a bit curious in their office. She needed more reminders than usual to lay down while I met with the woman. Many times I can use a very up beat voice that is casual. Today I had to use the "I mean business voice" in that setting.
We practiced in an earlier appointment picking up the leash (not her favorite) and the cane. She did the cane very well. At home I have them sitting in a stand so I don't have her retrieve it. In public I do sometimes drop my cane and most times she picks it up. I just think she needs a reminder on that one. Logan's blog reminded me she could use practice on that one.
If I did not need a service dog myself, I would sure like to have trained one. I am impressed with all the training and support they receive from Helping Paws. The directions and weekly homework are very deliberate. I was so darn impressed again last night. I like routine, order and they had things well organized. Thanks instructors and volunteers.
My cleaning lady come Friday this time. My daughter in law would laugh as it always means time to pick up for us. We tend to be messy. I blame my husband and my MS but some of the mess is mine also. I hope to do some tonight, and some tomorrow after swimming.
In your prayers tonight join me in saing Thank you God for the Foster Homes for the Service Dogs. Bless them in their efforts.
Have a great day. It was warmer here again.
Mary
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