|
|
Poodle Invades Golden Retriever TerritoryAssistance Dogs Institute
Grant & Nolan dine out in sunny California
Enter Frita (sponsored by the School of Business)
The Golden Retrievers looked a bit askance at this newbie as she pranced in on tippy toes, coiled curls bouncing. You could almost ‘hear’ the Retrievers mumbling under their breath something to the effect, “Well now, take a look at that will ya. Who does she think she is looking all dainty and cute!” Frita paid them no mind as she wiggled her way around to greet everyone. Definitely adding a frou-frou factor to our club’s canine persona, Frita’s other distinctive attributes are her intelligence, ease in training, cleanliness and her non-shedding, non-allergenic wool (yes, wool) coat. She’s not pink, has no ‘topiary’ on her tail nor satin ribbons tied in her ears and is not carried in a bejewelled handbag, but nevertheless she is a very appealing wee lass with her ginger-coloured coat, buoyant personality, softness at the end of a leash and eagerness to learn. Having Standard Poodles, such as Frita and Flo, on the Mobility Dogs team broadens the options for making the dog/client match.
Elsa’s Update
This gave Elsa some unique opportunities: riding on the inter-island ferry, taking frequent walks in the forest around Rotorua, visiting large shopping malls and supermarkets and sharing a house with a four-year-old boy and cats! Tony had this to say regarding Elsa’s farewell: “Elsa was a lot of fun in training and in the doors she opened, both literally and socially. We will miss her big brown eyes and her full-on, happy personality. We have loved every minute with her. The farewell…we’ve known from the beginning that it had to happen, and we just hope we are prepared.” Thank you, Tony and Viv, for your excellence in raising Elsa. Due to your hard work and dedication, Elsa is well-prepared for the next phase of her training. Farley’s Update
He travels frequently to Cromwell and also to Dunedin where his raisers stay with friends who have a two storey house with a steep flight of stairs. Farley has complete confidence on the stairs and is a stellar house guest totally enjoying and behaving himself in an unfamiliar house. In Dunedin he goes with his raisers to the city shops, restaurants and cafes. Farley’s rural home at Jacks Point gives him opportunities to become familiar with cats, hens, goats, birds, sheep and cattle and not long ago he added a possum to his animal friends. Recently, he discovered how much fun it is to swim and splash around the edges of Lake Wakatipu with family pet, black Lab Benson. Farley is getting to be a big boy now and continues to turn heads and elicit a lot of interest everywhere he goes. Farley practising his up counter Frodo’s News As mentioned earlier, Frodo has returned to Auckland. Try as he and we might to overcome his fear reactions, it was time for Canine Manager, Vicky, to step in. Currently she is working with him intensely and reports that he is improving. Let’s keep fingers and paws crossed that Frodo continues along this positive path. Letter from Emmit The last time we wrote, we said we hoped that we could report at the next journal writing that Emmit, the first dog to be raised in the Southern Lakes District, has been conditionally matched and will soon begin training with his ‘person’. Read on! G’day! Emmit here again. Happy, Happy barks to all my friends in the Southern Lakes District, especially at the Arrowtown Primary School, and now my friends in Auckland, too! As many of you know, I have been living in Auckland with Canine Manager, Vicky, since the end of March. I’ve been learning some really cool stuff like opening the fridge door, pushing elevator and pedestrian crossing buttons, carrying a heavy pack and speaking on command. I have lots of friends: sheep, cats, dogs and people, and recently I made a very special friend named David.
On 12 July, Vicky woke me early and said it was an important day and that I must look and act my very doggy best. Vicky gave me a bath and a grooming, loaded me into the Mobility Dogs van and off we went. I sensed excitement in the air as we drove across the city to Albany. As I walked into David’s house, I held my tail high as this was the proud moment I had been waiting for; I was meeting my ‘forever’ person - the person I was going to help and who in turn would love me, pat me and feed me! Vicky introduced me to David, and I also met his very nice wife, Dale, two parrots and three cats! Shaking hands with David was a little different, but afterwards I heard him say that I was “great” with his prosthetic arm hooks. David also said that I was “magnificent, had a beautiful nature and was eager to learn” and that he and Dale were “gobsmacked” by me! Yeah! I think they like me and I know I sure like them.
David likes to fish, boat, take care of his parrots and travel. Every morning he walks to the nearby coffee shop where everyone knows him, and soon they will all know me, too. There’s also a park near David’s house with a stream running alongside it, and if I’m a good dog, I think David will take me there to romp and maybe go for a wade. So, you see, I’m going to have a very exciting and busy life starting very soon! On 2nd September, David and I will begin our two-week training with Mobility Dogs trainer, Laura, and I’ll be learning even more tasks. I can’t wait to begin this next chapter of my life as a helpmate and companion to David. Mum Judy says a lot of people ask after me. Thank you all for remembering me. The next time you hear from me I will be living with David and will have so much to tell you. Sending you lots of happy wags, licks and love. Your friend…always, Emmit
Thank you, Air New Zealand When it was determined that Frodo would return to Auckland, a call was put into Air New Zealand requesting donation of travel crate and airfare from Queenstown to Auckland. Without hesitation, Air New Zealand agreed, and thanks to the kindness and efficiency of the Air Cargo personnel, both in Auckland and Queenstown, Frodo was on the plane the next day. Judy and Grant Puppy-raisers, Puppy Development Liaison
Posted: Thu 20 Aug 2009 |
© Copyright 2008 | Mobility Assistance Dogs Trust | Registered Charitable Trust CC24410 | New Zealand
Grant recently returned from attending the Assistance Dogs Institute, a certificate course offered as part of the human and canine studies curriculum at the Bergin University of Canine Studies in Santa Rosa, California. The Institute concentrates on teaching and researching ways to ‘help dogs help people’. The ADI course focuses on service dog training techniques with a mix of theory and hands-on experience. A significant portion of the course deals with understanding the needs of people with long-term physical disabilities and the process of matching the appropriate dog with the disabled applicant. Grant thoroughly enjoyed the intensive and in-depth schedule of the six-week course (and the warm California temperatures!) and looks forward to putting his recently-acquired knowledge into practice through his continued work with the Trust.
With Frodo’s return to Auckland for specialized training, a new puppy has been welcomed to the SLD puppy club. Her name is Frita and she’s one of two Standard Poodles recently acquired by Mobility Dogs. (Sister Flo is being raised in Auckland.) 
Elsa, the oldest puppy in our club, arrived in the Southern Lakes District in late October, 2008. Recently puppy-raisers, Tony & Viv, returned Elsa to Auckland where she has entered advanced training. Elsa’s last month of raising was spent away from the Queenstown area as Tony and Viv divided their time between Rotorua and Auckland.
Farley, who arrived with brother Frodo in mid-March, 2009, is 7 months old now and progressing well in most facets of his training. He recently spent some one-on-one time with Grant so that his progress could be evaluated and refinement work done on some of his commands. Farley continues to enjoy wide and varied socialisations, making regular trips to the supermarket and shops.
