Kristi and her husband Scott were thinking about getting a new dog but not just any kind of dog. They were thinking of getting a career change dog or maybe one that has retired.. Kristi is an obedience trainer herself so she knew these dogs were special. They started looking on the Internet at a few places that had a retire program. What they found was even better.
They found Southeastern guide dogs. This organization offers a range of ways that you can help. They have sponsorship programs, volunteer programs, Puppy raiser or an adoption of a career change program. Kristi and Scott debated about still getting a career change dog or taking on the challenge of being a puppy raiser. It did not take long to decide to raise a puppy for someone in need. Deciding to train a puppy is a big decision. You have to understand that the puppy goes everywhere with you. You leave the house and so do they. There is no leaving the dog home for the evening .If you go shopping or out to eat or even to the movies they are with you. They even go to work with you. They talked with someone who is blind and that helped them to understand what all they would be doing. They also understood that you have to buy your own dog food, toys, and leashes. The only thing the program pays for is medical. They thought about it a little more and still wanted to help someone get their Independence back. That's when they got Kirby a black Lab.
Now starts the training. As a puppy raiser you teach your puppy twenty different voice commands and you housebreak them. Making sure they learn not to jump on people or furniture. You also socialize the puppy. You take them to malls and stores so they learn about crowds and all the noises. They must learn not to flinch in public because this could throw their owner off balance and cause an accident. Kristi was amazed at how fast Kirby learned everything. It was also an eye opening experience for her to see all the everyday things we as sighted take for granted. Opening a door, crossing the street, walking down an isle with displays in it. We do all these things and much more without even thinking about them.
Now the public is a little tougher for a puppy raiser. As a service dog owner I know how tough it can be to get into a business. I can only imagine what it is like to walk in with a puppy and try to explain that puppy raisers have the same rights. That this dog is not a pet. Now the ADA and most of the states have laws that protect puppy raisers. Kristi was real surprised that the one business that she was told not to bring her puppy back, was her own job. They told her that she could not bring the dog back because someone complained that they could not bring their dog . Kristi held her tongue and
Go To Page: 1 2
