Posts tagged "service dog"
Good news for Scooter Givens of Hillsboro, Ore. -- the 10-year-old autistic boy no longer has to leave his service dog, Madison, at home when he goes to school. After a three-year battle with the Givens family, Hillsboro School District officials have decided to allow Scooter to bring Madison to class at Patterson Elementary for a trial period.
According to KATU Hillsboro, the debate over this pup hinged on whether Madison was, in fact, a "service dog" or a "therapy dog." Though the distinction may seem minor from the outside looking in, the service dog factor is apparently no small issue in the eyes of the law.
Though service dogs are covered by the Americans With Disabilities Act, therapy dogs aren't. And after evaluating Madison's specialized training, as well as the potential costs of a federal civil rights lawsuit, the Hillsboro School District caved.
After looking at the important safety role that Scooter's best friend plays in his life, we think the term service dog clearly applies. For example, Madison has been trained to detect Scooter's sometimes violent tantrums and prevent them before they start.
"Madison's trained to touch him or nuzzle him and kind of distract him from that," Scooter's mom Wendy told KATU.
Angelo Stevens
The school's refusal to allow Alaya in class garnered much media coverage including an article in Paw Nation. But after going through mediation with Andrew's father, Angelo Stevens, as well as Alaya's service dog trainer, the school's administration has agreed to a three-week trial period in which the Stevens family can prove that Alaya the service dog can get straight A's in conduct. Andrew's parents will take off work and alternate duties, accompanying Andrew at school over the next few weeks to supervise the adjustment.
"It's definitely a major victory. If even only in a trial setting," Angelo Stevens tells Paw Nation. "It shows that the ADA [Americans with Disabilities Act] laws apply, and it also shows that we're willing to put in the work."
Alaya's Gift
Andrew suffers from a rare but severe form of epilepsy that causes him to experience as many as 20 potentially fatal seizures in a single day. Because of his condition, Andrew's parents, Nancy and Angelo, monitor him around the clock to make sure he is safe at all times.
Just before Thanksgiving, they got Alaya. This extraordinary German shepherd was trained by Seizure Alert Dogs for Life to detect oncoming seizures and even prevent them when possible. According to Angelo, Alaya's services have been invaluable. "It really is a huge victory to go from 15 to 20 seizures a day to 8 or 10," he says.
Alaya wears a magnet around her collar and has been trained to lick Andrew in the face when she senses a seizure is imminent. As she does, this magnet activates a stimulator in Andrew's chest that can decrease the severity of an oncoming seizure or even stop it altogether.
Even when she isn't able to activate Andrew's stimulator, Alaya plays a critical role in Andrew's safety by warning others. "She'll stand up and start sniffing, licking, making eye contact when the seizures are coming on," Angelo explains. "She's my son's version of a guardian angel."
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A service dog named Alaya is making the life of a boy with epilepsy a bit easier. The dog not only senses the child's oncoming seizures (which can be as many as 20 a day), Ayala is trained to lick the boy, which brings a magnet in her collar in contact with a nerve stimulator on the boy's chest, lessening the impact of the seizures, sometimes even preventing them. For the first time in his life, the boy can go out to play without his parents by his side; he can use the restroom by himself because Alaya is there to watch over him. But the dog isn't allowed in his school, reports "Today."
The boy, Andrew Stevens, is 12 years old but, according to his school, functions at a kindergarten or first grade level. Though the school wants Stevens to attend school and participate in classes, school officials are concerned about whether the child can properly handle a service dog and worry whether the other children would be safe.
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The boy, Andrew Stevens, is 12 years old but, according to his school, functions at a kindergarten or first grade level. Though the school wants Stevens to attend school and participate in classes, school officials are concerned about whether the child can properly handle a service dog and worry whether the other children would be safe.
Amos, a kind and lovable chocolate Lab in Michigan sometimes puts in long days at the courthouse. He's not sniffing for bombs or patrolling the grounds, but he is protecting and serving. Amos works as a canine guardian and comforter of sorts and helps reduce anxiety for children who have to appear in court.
Amos has been trained to sit patiently near children for hours as they either wait to take the stand or testify in court, reports The Detroit News. Recently he accompanied two young victims who each testified for more than two hours against a defendant in a sexual misconduct trial.
The dog is part of the Canine Advocacy Program (CAP), which was launched by Dan Cojanu, who had previously worked as a supervisor of the Victim Services Unit for the Oakland County Prosecutor's Office in Michigan, reports the Detroit News.
The CAP is the first of its kind in Michigan and its services are offered at no cost to law enforcement or the courts. The program is funded by donations. Similar programs exist in California, Washington and Florida.
Amos originally came to the attention of Cojanu when it became evident that he wasn't the best fit for Leader Dogs for the Blind in Rochester, Mich. (Amos pulled too much on the leash.) Cojanu, however, found Amos to be perfect for the Canine Advocacy Program -- friendly with a calm disposition for children and the courtroom.
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Amos has been trained to sit patiently near children for hours as they either wait to take the stand or testify in court, reports The Detroit News. Recently he accompanied two young victims who each testified for more than two hours against a defendant in a sexual misconduct trial.
The dog is part of the Canine Advocacy Program (CAP), which was launched by Dan Cojanu, who had previously worked as a supervisor of the Victim Services Unit for the Oakland County Prosecutor's Office in Michigan, reports the Detroit News.
The CAP is the first of its kind in Michigan and its services are offered at no cost to law enforcement or the courts. The program is funded by donations. Similar programs exist in California, Washington and Florida.
Amos originally came to the attention of Cojanu when it became evident that he wasn't the best fit for Leader Dogs for the Blind in Rochester, Mich. (Amos pulled too much on the leash.) Cojanu, however, found Amos to be perfect for the Canine Advocacy Program -- friendly with a calm disposition for children and the courtroom.
Jason LaVeris, FilmMagic
The "Hot in Cleveland" actress has inked a deal to write two books for G. P. Putnam's Sons., reports USA Today. The first, due out next year, is titled "Listen Up!" and will be filled with observations and lessons learned. But it's the second book we can't wait to get our paws on. "The Zoo and I: Betty and Her Friends" will feature White's stories and pictures at the Los Angeles Zoo, where she's a longtime member of the board. The second book is set to publish in 2012.
Want Dog Owners to Pick Up After Their Pooches? Spray Paint The Poo
An unusual plan to encourage dog owners to properly dispose of their pets' waste appears to be working in Poole, Dorset, England, reports BBC News. After close to 200 piles of dog doo were found in an alley near Poole High School, workers spray painted the problematic waste a bright green to draw attention to the mess and shock the owners into picking them up. So far, the plan seems to be working.
Teen Banned From Playing Basketball With Service Dog
A teenager in Chicago has been denied the chance to play basketball in the Special Olympics because her service dog will not be allowed on the court, reports the Chicago Tribune. The 17-year-old, who has cerebral palsy, uses her trained service dog to carry around a four-pound oxygen tank, but the Illinois Special Olympics President said they had to make their ruling based on the safety of everyone involved, and, apparently, a service dog on the court was deemed unsafe. This game is just beginning, however; a local advocacy group has filed a lawsuit on the girl's behalf.
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Canine Partners, which is celebrating its twentieth anniversary, trains assistance dogs to help the disabled with everyday tasks like getting dressed, pushing buttons, working the washing machine and more. Both Harry and older brother Prince William support Help for Heroes, an organization that focuses on injured service personnel and works closely with Canine Partners, according to BBC News (which has a short video of the visit).
Paris Buys Pug to Get Over Guy
Some girls get a new haircut or pricey pair of shoes to move on after a breakup. Paris Hilton, however, isn't like most girls, and after a split from Doug Reinhardt, she's consoling herself with a new Pug puppy. The puppy is sure to find friends in Hilton's menagerie, which, according to the Daily Mail, currently includes 17 chihuahuas and a Pomeranian. According to Hilton's Twitter feed, the little fella's name is Mugsy.
Sea Lion Pup Goes Climbing
Forget "Cat on a Hot Tin Roof"; we've got a sea-lion on a rooftop deck in Newport Beach, Calif. The pup climbed the outdoor stairs to Mike Kai's rooftop deck, according to the Orange County Register. Kai took a few pictures and shot a short video of the little guy before Pacific Marine Mammal Center in Laguna Beach snagged him. The pup, aptly named "Fiddler," weighs about 40 percent less than he should, and -- fingers, er, fins crossed -- will be released after two to three months of rehabilitation.
Kitten Safe and Sound After Car Engine Ride
Three days after taking a harrowing trip in the engine of a Sydney Highway Patrol Car, Cartwright, a 4-week-old kitten was back in the arms of the man who saved him, reports the Sydney Morning Herald. Senior Constable Tex Tannous heard the kitten meowing under the hood of his police vehicle but it took mechanics to actually get the cat out of the hot engine. Although Cartwright was terrified after his two-hours in the engine, the kitty was uninjured.
Australian Restaurant Must Apologize and Pay After Refusing Entry to "Gay" Dog
In both strange and infuriating news, a blind man's guide dog wasn't allowed to enter an Australian restaurant last year because the staff thought they heard the man's friend refer to the dog as a "gay" dog, not a "guide" dog, reports the Huffington Post. The dog's owner will be receiving an apology and $1,400 in compensation for the incident.
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Some girls get a new haircut or pricey pair of shoes to move on after a breakup. Paris Hilton, however, isn't like most girls, and after a split from Doug Reinhardt, she's consoling herself with a new Pug puppy. The puppy is sure to find friends in Hilton's menagerie, which, according to the Daily Mail, currently includes 17 chihuahuas and a Pomeranian. According to Hilton's Twitter feed, the little fella's name is Mugsy.
Sea Lion Pup Goes Climbing
Forget "Cat on a Hot Tin Roof"; we've got a sea-lion on a rooftop deck in Newport Beach, Calif. The pup climbed the outdoor stairs to Mike Kai's rooftop deck, according to the Orange County Register. Kai took a few pictures and shot a short video of the little guy before Pacific Marine Mammal Center in Laguna Beach snagged him. The pup, aptly named "Fiddler," weighs about 40 percent less than he should, and -- fingers, er, fins crossed -- will be released after two to three months of rehabilitation.
Kitten Safe and Sound After Car Engine Ride
Three days after taking a harrowing trip in the engine of a Sydney Highway Patrol Car, Cartwright, a 4-week-old kitten was back in the arms of the man who saved him, reports the Sydney Morning Herald. Senior Constable Tex Tannous heard the kitten meowing under the hood of his police vehicle but it took mechanics to actually get the cat out of the hot engine. Although Cartwright was terrified after his two-hours in the engine, the kitty was uninjured.
Australian Restaurant Must Apologize and Pay After Refusing Entry to "Gay" Dog
In both strange and infuriating news, a blind man's guide dog wasn't allowed to enter an Australian restaurant last year because the staff thought they heard the man's friend refer to the dog as a "gay" dog, not a "guide" dog, reports the Huffington Post. The dog's owner will be receiving an apology and $1,400 in compensation for the incident.
Sure our birthday is officialy over but we couldn't resist bringing back one last gallery of photos. Whether you caught these images of service animals the first time around or not, we hope you'll enjoy this trip down memory lane with us. Besides, what's not to love about the relationship between these amazing animals and the people they are helping?
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Meghan Hopkins
Age: 33
Job: After-care coordinator for Canine Assistants
First things first: What is Canine Assistants?
We train service dogs, free of charge, for people with disabilities or who have seizures. They can open and close doors, turn lights on and off, pull wheelchairs and detect seizures. We rely on donations to train the dogs and provide them to the recipients, who come from all over the country. The recipients come for a two-week training camp. The first day, we introduce them to four or five dogs we've chosen for them, and then that day, they choose the one they'll be working with. At that point, the dogs are trained, so it's really about training the people to use them!
Canine Assistants is being featured in the documentary "Through a Dog's Eyes," (narrated by Neil Patrick Harris, premiering April 21 on PBS). How do you hope this documentary affects your organization?
I think it will bring attention to disability awareness. You get to see the recipients, get into their lives. You see that they're intelligent and funny, but have physical challenges. You'll also see the amazing work the dogs do with them -- with one family, you'll watch them facing a challenge with their dog.
Basically, you'll realize that these are people, and then witness the difference the dogs make in their lives. Plus, you see us and the work we do. Of course, I hope it moves people to help us if they can, and donate, so we can train even more dogs.
Can you tell us a bit about what you do?
When a recipient first receives their dog, they contact me with any questions about or problems with behaviors. When they first get home, they're nervous and everything is new, so when they need anything, they contact me. In addition to acting as after-care coordinator, one of my primary roles is as assistant to [founder] Jennifer Arnold, and I also help with training.
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Dog Breed: Belgian Malinois
Group: Herding
Dog's Full Registered Name: CH TriSorts Zorro del Mango, RE, TT, HIC, CGC
Nickname: Zorro
Dog's Age: 6
Owner's Name: Sara Donadei-Blood
Hometown: North Lauderdale, Fla.
Tell me about your dog's personality.
Malinois as a breed typically are aggressive. They're very reactive to their environment. Malinois are super dogs when it comes to competitive obedience. I noticed that my Malinois was developing into a sweet, affectionate boy. He showed that sweetness of nature to strangers, which is unusual to the breed. He loves people, especially elderly people.
He's very bright and extraordinarily willing to please. In a dog show, he's literally the only Malinois wagging his tail. He's a happy dog. He's a lover, not a fighter!
What is your dog's favorite treat?
He likes raw chicken backs. I give them to my dogs from time to time to clean their teeth. I think it brings out the wild dog in him.
What is your dog's best trick?
He retrieves anything I drop: a paper clip, a pen, a dime. He knows how to bring me my purse from the kitchen counter. He brings the remote control. However, because I always reward him, when he's feeling bored he takes it upon himself to bring me all those things. At the end of the day I have a whole pile of things I didn't ask for.
On Nov. 9, a police dog bit a man who was trying to defend his home from a would-be burglar. Tim Crossan, of Eugene, Ore. had just broken his hand on the face of the intruder when police, responding to a call, flooded into his home and ordered their K9 unit to attack Mr. Crossan. In the confusion, the burglar escaped and Mr. Crossan was bitten twice. The police have yet to apologize for this incident, although they described it as "unfortunate." At least they went on to say that Crossan, who had protected his wife and children, was "heroic."
Dogs have been used officially to help police officers since the late 1850s in Germany, when they were first employed purely as a deterrent, used only for their teeth and growls. However, the informal use of dogs in law enforcement goes back to the Middle Ages and most likely even before that. These days, dogs help officers primarily with their sense of smell, which is so powerful that they can detect scents one-hundred-millionth fainter than the boundaries of human perception. They can easily find drugs, bombs, criminals, and corpses, even when criminals have taken extra measures to mask odors. So although the police can often make mistakes, police dogs do not. They remain an integral part of public safety.
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Dogs have been used officially to help police officers since the late 1850s in Germany, when they were first employed purely as a deterrent, used only for their teeth and growls. However, the informal use of dogs in law enforcement goes back to the Middle Ages and most likely even before that. These days, dogs help officers primarily with their sense of smell, which is so powerful that they can detect scents one-hundred-millionth fainter than the boundaries of human perception. They can easily find drugs, bombs, criminals, and corpses, even when criminals have taken extra measures to mask odors. So although the police can often make mistakes, police dogs do not. They remain an integral part of public safety.
"Put me to work!" Just chaos/Flickr
It has long been known that the presence of a pooch has a calming influence on many people, according to Pris Taylor, the director of Autism Service Dogs of America (ASDA). "Children with autism have difficulty with emotional relationships. The kids relate better to dogs. The children learn empathy," Taylor told Paw Nation. "We find kids don't have as many tantrums and meltdowns. Anecdotally, speech has increased with the presence of the dog." An autistic child may talk more not only to the dog itself, but also to other people, often about the dog. For a disease characterized by social isolation, that's huge.
For most of his young life, nine year-old Billy Gensel couldn't throw caution to the wind and do what normal nine-year-olds do -- go to carnivals, stuff his face at restaurants, or even stay in a hotel room. "It was really, really harsh," he told CBS' The Early Show.
Billy has such a severe allergy to peanuts that contact with even the tiniest amount of the nut could send him into a potentially deadly anaphylactic shock, leaving him struggling to breathe as his airways close up. Whenever he did venture out, his mother Karen Gensel hovered nearby with an EpiPen, an auto-injector containing epinephrine (or adrenaline), to plunge into her son if her son began to claw at his neck trying to breathe.
Thankfully, Remy, a black Labrador Retriever trained to sniff out the most miniscule traces of peanut -- she can even tell whether a chicken nugget has been fried in peanut oil -- has become Billy's constant companion. The peanut-detecting pooch "sniffs down everything and everyone that Billy may come into contact with," letting Billy and his mother know where it's safe to go, or alerting them when peanut traces have been found.
"This dog has changed our life," says Karen Gensel. "It's a life of normal. And for us that's a really big deal."
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Billy has such a severe allergy to peanuts that contact with even the tiniest amount of the nut could send him into a potentially deadly anaphylactic shock, leaving him struggling to breathe as his airways close up. Whenever he did venture out, his mother Karen Gensel hovered nearby with an EpiPen, an auto-injector containing epinephrine (or adrenaline), to plunge into her son if her son began to claw at his neck trying to breathe.
Thankfully, Remy, a black Labrador Retriever trained to sniff out the most miniscule traces of peanut -- she can even tell whether a chicken nugget has been fried in peanut oil -- has become Billy's constant companion. The peanut-detecting pooch "sniffs down everything and everyone that Billy may come into contact with," letting Billy and his mother know where it's safe to go, or alerting them when peanut traces have been found.
"This dog has changed our life," says Karen Gensel. "It's a life of normal. And for us that's a really big deal."
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