So I've seen a lot of posts recently regarding service dogs. I'm currently working with an organization for placement, and expect that this will be a 4-12 month process from where I'm at. I just wanted to have a space to update the few people I know may be interested and to make myself give updates as we go along in the process.
Right, so this particular organization is a full donation organization and they require some blogging/outreach and some fundraising. Basically you're fundraising for the next group of dogs that will be placed it's a pay it forward model.
I have a peer mentor, A, who is currently starting a program for civilians with PTSD (I'm their first one as far as I know, no pressure...) and a primary trainer, C. I started the application process in October/November and I was able to go to a matchup two weeks ago.
I'm trying to stay cautiously optimistic until training is underway and I have a better idea of how this will look and am less worried about us bonding, which is why I've waited until now to post anything. But after the matchup I really am excited and hopeful. We all carpooled over to the prison where the dogs are trained and the morning was all programming and everyone having to talk. Some of the inmates talked about what they'd gotten out of the program, the trainers talked a little about the difference they've seen in their own lives or client's lives, and we had to talk about why we were there. I've talked about my past before but in a room full of probably a hundred people or more I was literally shaking like a leaf.
Some of the dogs demonstrated skill sets, and then the afternoon session was sort of like awkward speed dating with everyone watching you to see how you react to the dog. It was weird and very stressful, especially since we were limited in how we could keep the dogs interested in us (no commands, no treats) so the trainers could get a read on the dynamic involved.
All that said, I ended up matched with a beautiful 1 year old english cream golden retriever. His training team showed me some of the work he's been doing and he's disciplined and committed, really well behaved and completely ready to do the more advanced training work. He's also a total goofball. I think the best demonstration of his personality is that he knows anything on the floor is off limits for him to eat, but he also LOVES treats. So if you have a handful of treats and give him one he'll be licking at your hand and trying to get the rest of them, trying to put your whole hand in his mouth, anything to get the rest of the food he knows you're hiding from him. He'll try to snag some of the treats or kibble in transit if you're handing treats to someone else nearby. But if you drop one there's no way he'd ever go for it. So funny. He also does an adorable back stroke thing with his front legs when he's really into belly rubs. He's going to keep me very entertained.
So next thing I'm working on is storyboarding for my training team. A will be calling me in a couple days and then once a week for a month to get that finished. Orientation training is in February. So I'll post updates here as I go along if anyone wants them.
Right, so this particular organization is a full donation organization and they require some blogging/outreach and some fundraising. Basically you're fundraising for the next group of dogs that will be placed it's a pay it forward model.
I have a peer mentor, A, who is currently starting a program for civilians with PTSD (I'm their first one as far as I know, no pressure...) and a primary trainer, C. I started the application process in October/November and I was able to go to a matchup two weeks ago.
I'm trying to stay cautiously optimistic until training is underway and I have a better idea of how this will look and am less worried about us bonding, which is why I've waited until now to post anything. But after the matchup I really am excited and hopeful. We all carpooled over to the prison where the dogs are trained and the morning was all programming and everyone having to talk. Some of the inmates talked about what they'd gotten out of the program, the trainers talked a little about the difference they've seen in their own lives or client's lives, and we had to talk about why we were there. I've talked about my past before but in a room full of probably a hundred people or more I was literally shaking like a leaf.
Some of the dogs demonstrated skill sets, and then the afternoon session was sort of like awkward speed dating with everyone watching you to see how you react to the dog. It was weird and very stressful, especially since we were limited in how we could keep the dogs interested in us (no commands, no treats) so the trainers could get a read on the dynamic involved.
All that said, I ended up matched with a beautiful 1 year old english cream golden retriever. His training team showed me some of the work he's been doing and he's disciplined and committed, really well behaved and completely ready to do the more advanced training work. He's also a total goofball. I think the best demonstration of his personality is that he knows anything on the floor is off limits for him to eat, but he also LOVES treats. So if you have a handful of treats and give him one he'll be licking at your hand and trying to get the rest of them, trying to put your whole hand in his mouth, anything to get the rest of the food he knows you're hiding from him. He'll try to snag some of the treats or kibble in transit if you're handing treats to someone else nearby. But if you drop one there's no way he'd ever go for it. So funny. He also does an adorable back stroke thing with his front legs when he's really into belly rubs. He's going to keep me very entertained.
So next thing I'm working on is storyboarding for my training team. A will be calling me in a couple days and then once a week for a month to get that finished. Orientation training is in February. So I'll post updates here as I go along if anyone wants them.
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