Program Spotlight: Canine Assistants
Talk about dogs being man’s best friends! There for companionship and a steady supply of love, dogs have long been the preferred pet for many. But, here’s one more reason to love dogs—as if you really needed one!
The good folks over at Canine Assistants in Milton, Georgia train and provide service animals to those with disabilities and health concerns, like seizures and diabetes among other things. With over 2,200 people on the waiting list, they’ve got their work cut out for them. Only able to provide roughly 100 service animals per year to waiting patrons, they do an excellent job with puppies (typically golden retrievers and labrador retrievers), preparing them for their new lives as human helpers.
How it all begins
When theses animals are but wee pups (they begin working with puppies at three days old), they are exposed to all sorts of surfaces and stimuli. From sliding down slides to unlocking doors, their training obstacle course really takes them through the paces. But by the end of eight weeks, they’re able to respond to about 30 different commands on cue. These puppies are remarkably quick! At 18 months when they graduate from the program, that number multiplies to 90 tasks in all. Some of the tasks their dogs perform include turning lights on and off, opening and closing doors, pulling wheelchairs, retrieving dropped objects, summoning help, and providing secure companionship.
What’s their motivation?
Peanut butter and praise! Both are probably the best dog treats ever, for these dogs. Matched with their human partners, they then undergo two weeks of training together. Changing lives and making such a huge difference, these dogs–and the good folks over at Canine Assistants–are to be commended. One Canine Assistants recipient made the value of this gift quite clear when asked by a reporter what she liked most about her service dog. Immediately, she responded, “My dog makes my wheelchair disappear.”
To find out more about their program, visit http://www.canineassistants.org/
