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ALSO
IN THIS ISSUE Life Down Under Word Power Doggone Helpful Greetings from Costa Rica Taking Technology into Account(ing) Lucky Fall CurricuNet Chancellor's Column Development News Factoids Newsmakers Accomplishments
by faculty and staff… |
Doggone
Helpful As a puppy-raiser for Canine Companions for Independence (CCI), Walker has found a way to serve others in need 24/7. Billy is Walker’s third puppy, succeeding recent Miramar grad, Redan, who “matriculated” to advanced training. CCI, founded in 1975, is a nonprofit organization that enhances the lives of people with disabilities by providing highly trained assistance dogs and ongoing support to ensure quality partnerships. Volunteer puppy-raisers receive a specially bred dog (golden retriever, Labrador retriever or a retriever/lab cross) at 8 weeks old. For the next 12-16 months, their caregivers pay for their care, feeding, grooming and veterinary needs, just as if they owned them. “Puppy raising is a full-time commitment,” says Walker, Billy snoozing under her office chair. “Aside from having the puppy with me always — at work, on the bus, on the trolley — we have other requirements for the program. We attend ‘puppy class’ once every other week throughout ownership. We write monthly reports. We belong to a local puppy group, Champions, for regular socializing opportunities.” In their first year of life, puppies learn basic commands. Billy, at only 10 weeks, is already learning to sit, lie down, shake and toilet on command. They are trained with verbal praise and yummy treats. Miramar College faculty, staff and students are just getting to know Billy, still missing their furry friend, Redan, who was a member of the college family for the past year. Officer Jim Ormond and other staff members would regularly walk the dog or take him to retrieve the mail. Heard of the family dog getting the paper? Redan would literally grasp the mail in his mouth and trot back to the office. In addition to get, hold and drop, other basic commands learned in puppy training include sit, stay, heel, side, back, stand, up, quiet, settle, and push the silver door plates for disabled access. At 14-16 months, puppies graduate into advanced training and, ultimately, assignment as a “service dog.” From the comfort of a puppy-raiser’s home, local puppies move into the CCI headquarters in Oceanside, where paid professional trainers spend the next six to nine months teaching advanced tasks. Changing the laundry, opening traditional doors, pulling wheelchairs, putting trash in the trash can, help with balance while walking up stairs, aid in dressing or undressing, and even tucking the kids into bed are skills learned before their second birthday. There are several CCI categories of service dogs, which include dogs trained specifically for those in wheelchairs; skilled companions for children who may or may not be in a wheelchair (possibly suffering from a disabling illness like brittle bone disease); and facility dogs where a dog is placed in a health care facility for emotional or physical assistance to patients. Individual dogs are matched to the needs of recipients. Some dogs are better “sound” dogs, quickly alerting their owners to alarms, phone and doorbell rings, and even recognizing the owner’s name being called out. Others are better for different tasks. Strengths and weaknesses of every dog in training are assessed closely for the needs of the recipients and type of service. Thirty to 40 dogs are placed with permanent owners each year from the Oceanside regional office. About 200 dogs are in training at any time, including those puppies being raised in the community. Odds of successful completion of the program are not very high. Nearly 70 percent of the dogs who complete training are actually released from the program for reasons that may include fear, physical shortcomings or aggressiveness.
When asked how she could give up the puppy she’s raised and come to love after a year of bonding, Walker says, “The pain and heartache of separation is less than the reward of knowing that a disabled person will benefit from all the care and love and training I pour into the puppy. Yes, I fall in love with them, but I don’t need them. They enrich my life, but they can drastically change the life of a disabled person.” Kandice Walker has always loved animals and been involved with community service. While in high school, she volunteered in hospitals and later in college belonged to a community service-oriented sorority. After earning her master’s degree from SDSU, she looked for an opportunity to continue community service and combine her love of animals with helping persons with disabilities. Within two weeks, she had a new “roommate,” Cheryl. Unfortunately, after 14 months of training, Cheryl was found to be unsuitable to be a service dog because of her fear. Retired early, Cheryl lives with Walker and has welcomed Billy into their home. For more information on volunteer service with Canine Companions, visit www.caninecompanions.org.
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