Palladium-Item - www.pal-item.com - Richmond, Ind.
The bark that bonds --Assistance dogs have special relationship with local disabled residents
By Allison Kolodziej For The Palladium-Item
As Devin Kirtley maneuvers around his Centerville home, his dog is by his side.
But Ares (pronounced air-ees) is more than a pet for 10-year-old Devin -- he's a companion and aide. He is an assistance dog specially trained to assist Devin, an energetic and talkative fifth-grader who uses a wheelchair to get around.
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Ares knows more than 50 commands, which include turning on lights, opening doors, and retrieving fallen items -- from pencils to notebooks to Devin's cowboy boots.
But it's not all work and no play for the 2-year-old Labrador retriever.
"He loves to play tug of war," Devin said as he and Ares pull on a new rope toy.
Devin is one of three area young people who have turned to assistance dogs for aid and companionship in their everyday lives. These dogs are socialized for everyday life and help their partners with daily physical tasks and increasing their independence on others.
An instant connection
Ares has been in Devin's life for seven months, thanks to Canine Companions for Independence, an organization that offers specially trained dogs to individuals with disabilities like Devin, who has cerebral palsy.
While Ares doesn't attend school, he assists in daily tasks and accompanies the family in public.
Sheri Lucas, Devin's mother, applied for the Canine Companions program after observing another girl with her assistance dog. The growing relationship follows three years of waiting after the initial application was submitted.
The long wait is attributed to the highly selective process in which dogs are accepted into the program.
"First off, you have to have enough eligible dogs," said Judy Myers of Canine Companions for Independence. "They have to have the very best of the very best."
After a series of applications and interviews, the family trained in August at the Canine Companions regional center in Delaware, Ohio.
It's where the family met Ares for the first time. Lucas said the connection between Ares and Devin was almost instant.
"We could see that up at CCI when we were placed with (Ares)," Lucas said. "You could see the bond forming then with him."
The training days were long, and complete with tests and lectures. Part of the rigorous two-week program involved dealing with the dog in public places like restaurants and the zoo.
Devin and his mother trained as a "skilled companion team" at Canine Companions. This program is offered to individuals -- often adolescents -- who seek to reduce reliance on others and use the dog to help with physical tasks.
Bringing Ares back to the family's home in Centerville brought a new wave of challenges.
Ares had to adjust to a new home, and Lucas' two other children had to understand that Ares was not the typical pet.
The benefits, however, outweighed the initial adjustments.
Ares became Devin's companion and the bond continues to grow.
"It's been really great," Lucas said. "The dog does a lot for him."
In addition to opening the refrigerator, flipping light switches and closing doors, Ares is always up for playing.In a few weeks, he and Devin will begin training for the Wayne County 4-H Fair this summer -- Ares will ride with Devin in the horse pleasure-driving competition.
Lucas pointed out the social and emotional benefits to Devin having a friend and companion, but also a service dog that helps increase his independence.
The waiting game
Connor Moffett, a fifth-grader at Western Wayne Elementary School, is still in the waiting process for an assistance dog -- but not for long.
The Moffetts applied through a different canine service program -- Paws and Think in Indianapolis.
"We'll likely have Kendra at the end of May," said mother Lorinda Moffett of Cambridge City. "They take it really slow to make it familiar to both the family and the dog."
Lorinda Moffett and her husband, Mike, start their training today and plan to continue on Sunday afternoons because they both work full-time.
The Paws and Think program offers assistance and companion dogs to individuals with disabilities, as well as programs for at-risk youth and animal-assisted therapy.
In the office of Connor's physical therapist, Moffett first observed another child patient with an assistance dog. The boy, like Connor, had cerebral palsy.
"The bond that I saw between that child and that dog was just amazing," she said. "I thought that would just be awesome for Connor."
The process with Paws and Think is a little different than Canine Companions -- the Moffett family will train with another dog before Kendra. Then, they'll keep her for a weekend and gradually build up to complete independence from the organization.
Western Wayne Elementary School conducted a penny war fund-raiser in February to help the family with training, a fence for their yard and overnight stays associated with the training. Connor's school aide, Belinda Reece, organized the fund-raising efforts, which brought in more than $2,100.
"I knew we would raise the money," she said. "It exceeded what I thought it would. We have such a wonderful community."
Kendra will accompany Connor to school, so Reece is taking part in the training with the Moffett family. In addition, some teachers are preparing for Kendra's arrival by using a book to help students understand the role of assistance dogs.
Moffett is optimistic that Kendra will help Connor become more verbal and serve as a companion.
"My biggest (concern) for him is to have someone who is there for him all the time," Moffett said.
Moffett also saw an instant bond between Kendra and Connor at the first meeting in January.
Despite the whole family being present, "(Kendra) knew that he was the one who needed her."
Mick Coons' college canine
One-year-old Raymer might be the smartest dog at Indiana University East.
The Canine Companions assistance dog accompanies sophomore Mick Coons to campus -- and to the classroom.
"He's really well-mannered," said Mick, a 19-year-old marketing-advertising major. "We'll go in and I'll have him get the door. When we get to class, he'll sit there by me until I need something."
Raymer also assists by retrieving fallen items and carrying books.
Mick was in rehabilitation after an accident his sophomore year of high school, when his mother suggested an assistance dog.
"I was all about (getting the dog)," he said. "She told me how long it took to get them; she thought in two years I'd be ready for one."
That was March 2002. Last November, Mick finally met Raymer and brought him home to Economy. Unlike Kirtley, Mick trained independently through the Canine Companions "service dog team" program.
Outside of campus, Raymer is especially helpful when Mick is running errands and home by himself.
"He knows what he's supposed to do and when he's supposed to do it," Mick said.
Allison Kolodziej is a Palladium-Item intern. To comment on this story, contact assistant city editor Mary Sell at (765) 973-4476 or mgsell@pal-item.com
Originally published March 26, 2006
The bark that bonds --Assistance dogs have special relationship with local disabled residents
By Allison Kolodziej For The Palladium-Item
As Devin Kirtley maneuvers around his Centerville home, his dog is by his side.
But Ares (pronounced air-ees) is more than a pet for 10-year-old Devin -- he's a companion and aide. He is an assistance dog specially trained to assist Devin, an energetic and talkative fifth-grader who uses a wheelchair to get around.
OAS_AD('ArticleFlex_1');
Ares knows more than 50 commands, which include turning on lights, opening doors, and retrieving fallen items -- from pencils to notebooks to Devin's cowboy boots.
But it's not all work and no play for the 2-year-old Labrador retriever.
"He loves to play tug of war," Devin said as he and Ares pull on a new rope toy.
Devin is one of three area young people who have turned to assistance dogs for aid and companionship in their everyday lives. These dogs are socialized for everyday life and help their partners with daily physical tasks and increasing their independence on others.
An instant connection
Ares has been in Devin's life for seven months, thanks to Canine Companions for Independence, an organization that offers specially trained dogs to individuals with disabilities like Devin, who has cerebral palsy.
While Ares doesn't attend school, he assists in daily tasks and accompanies the family in public.
Sheri Lucas, Devin's mother, applied for the Canine Companions program after observing another girl with her assistance dog. The growing relationship follows three years of waiting after the initial application was submitted.
The long wait is attributed to the highly selective process in which dogs are accepted into the program.
"First off, you have to have enough eligible dogs," said Judy Myers of Canine Companions for Independence. "They have to have the very best of the very best."
After a series of applications and interviews, the family trained in August at the Canine Companions regional center in Delaware, Ohio.
It's where the family met Ares for the first time. Lucas said the connection between Ares and Devin was almost instant.
"We could see that up at CCI when we were placed with (Ares)," Lucas said. "You could see the bond forming then with him."
The training days were long, and complete with tests and lectures. Part of the rigorous two-week program involved dealing with the dog in public places like restaurants and the zoo.
Devin and his mother trained as a "skilled companion team" at Canine Companions. This program is offered to individuals -- often adolescents -- who seek to reduce reliance on others and use the dog to help with physical tasks.
Bringing Ares back to the family's home in Centerville brought a new wave of challenges.
Ares had to adjust to a new home, and Lucas' two other children had to understand that Ares was not the typical pet.
The benefits, however, outweighed the initial adjustments.
Ares became Devin's companion and the bond continues to grow.
"It's been really great," Lucas said. "The dog does a lot for him."
In addition to opening the refrigerator, flipping light switches and closing doors, Ares is always up for playing.In a few weeks, he and Devin will begin training for the Wayne County 4-H Fair this summer -- Ares will ride with Devin in the horse pleasure-driving competition.
Lucas pointed out the social and emotional benefits to Devin having a friend and companion, but also a service dog that helps increase his independence.
The waiting game
Connor Moffett, a fifth-grader at Western Wayne Elementary School, is still in the waiting process for an assistance dog -- but not for long.
The Moffetts applied through a different canine service program -- Paws and Think in Indianapolis.
"We'll likely have Kendra at the end of May," said mother Lorinda Moffett of Cambridge City. "They take it really slow to make it familiar to both the family and the dog."
Lorinda Moffett and her husband, Mike, start their training today and plan to continue on Sunday afternoons because they both work full-time.
The Paws and Think program offers assistance and companion dogs to individuals with disabilities, as well as programs for at-risk youth and animal-assisted therapy.
In the office of Connor's physical therapist, Moffett first observed another child patient with an assistance dog. The boy, like Connor, had cerebral palsy.
"The bond that I saw between that child and that dog was just amazing," she said. "I thought that would just be awesome for Connor."
The process with Paws and Think is a little different than Canine Companions -- the Moffett family will train with another dog before Kendra. Then, they'll keep her for a weekend and gradually build up to complete independence from the organization.
Western Wayne Elementary School conducted a penny war fund-raiser in February to help the family with training, a fence for their yard and overnight stays associated with the training. Connor's school aide, Belinda Reece, organized the fund-raising efforts, which brought in more than $2,100.
"I knew we would raise the money," she said. "It exceeded what I thought it would. We have such a wonderful community."
Kendra will accompany Connor to school, so Reece is taking part in the training with the Moffett family. In addition, some teachers are preparing for Kendra's arrival by using a book to help students understand the role of assistance dogs.
Moffett is optimistic that Kendra will help Connor become more verbal and serve as a companion.
"My biggest (concern) for him is to have someone who is there for him all the time," Moffett said.
Moffett also saw an instant bond between Kendra and Connor at the first meeting in January.
Despite the whole family being present, "(Kendra) knew that he was the one who needed her."
Mick Coons' college canine
One-year-old Raymer might be the smartest dog at Indiana University East.
The Canine Companions assistance dog accompanies sophomore Mick Coons to campus -- and to the classroom.
"He's really well-mannered," said Mick, a 19-year-old marketing-advertising major. "We'll go in and I'll have him get the door. When we get to class, he'll sit there by me until I need something."
Raymer also assists by retrieving fallen items and carrying books.
Mick was in rehabilitation after an accident his sophomore year of high school, when his mother suggested an assistance dog.
"I was all about (getting the dog)," he said. "She told me how long it took to get them; she thought in two years I'd be ready for one."
That was March 2002. Last November, Mick finally met Raymer and brought him home to Economy. Unlike Kirtley, Mick trained independently through the Canine Companions "service dog team" program.
Outside of campus, Raymer is especially helpful when Mick is running errands and home by himself.
"He knows what he's supposed to do and when he's supposed to do it," Mick said.
Allison Kolodziej is a Palladium-Item intern. To comment on this story, contact assistant city editor Mary Sell at (765) 973-4476 or mgsell@pal-item.com
Originally published March 26, 2006
posted by LadyDeerskin And Her Service Dog | Sunday, March 26, 2006
