-
Anngee Quinones-Belian/Staff Correspondent Marcia Smith teaches Paulie to sit and offers him a treat when he does what’s asked of him. Paulie will grow up to be a service dog for a disabled veteran, first responder or visually impaired person -
Little Zeke is among those dogs that puppy raisers have an opportunity to train in order to help provide assistance in people’s daily lives.
Ranger Many folks are aware of the presence of a service dog around them. They’re recognized by the service vest that is worn by the canine.
These dogs perform a number of different tasks that are not only helpful but necessary and even life saving for their owners.
One may not realize the time, effort and tears that go into training a service or guide dog for a disabled veteran, first responder or a visually impaired person, and it all starts in puppy hood.
The Guide Dog Foundation for the blind, breeds about 600 puppies per year with the sole purpose of training each pup to act in the capacity of service once their training is complete.
Only Labradors, golden retrievers, Lab/retriever mix and standard poodles for those with allergies are bred, trained and used as service dogs through the foundation.
Thorough genetic testing, blood work and X-rays are done on each puppy to rule out those with any issues that would not be compatible with their future service. About $50,000 is spent on each pup by the foundation to put out the perfect dog. After their training is complete, they’ll be paired with their new owner at no cost to them.
Michael and Marcia Smith of Cherokee County are part of the lengthy process involving some of these puppies.
As a registered nurse, Marcia saw how service dogs helped those needing them and the difference the canines made in the lives of a disabled person.
The Smiths are puppy raisers for the Guide Dog Foundation for the blind and have been doing so for about five years.
The puppies are bred out of Smithtown, N.Y., and delivered to various areas. The couple then picked “their” puppy up in Dahlonega, Ga.
They are given a list of tasks for the puppy to learn in its first year, and the Smiths must attend two classes per month with their little canine. The task of training the pups is primarily a volunteer position. Puppy raisers have the full support and guidance of the Guide Dog Foundation for the blind, which was established in 1946.
Puppy raisers train their pups for about a year and then must return the dog so it can move on to formal training in New York.
Both Michael and Marcia became tearful at the thought of once again having to return a dog after a year for additional training elsewhere, as they grow to love the puppies in their care. The bond is strong, but they must separate, as the ultimate goal is to provide someone in need with the dog’s service.
The guide dogs are trained to assist their future owners by picking up objects, helping prevent obstacles that would endanger the owner and providing companionship for those with post-traumatic stress disorder.
Other tasks the dogs assist with are providing counterbalance for someone with balance issues, turning switches on and off as well as a number of other jobs. The dogs are matched with a specific person based on the person’s needs.
It is discouraged for anyone to touch, whistle, pet or otherwise distract a service dog while on duty.
America’s VetDogs was established in 2003 and provides service dogs to veterans with disabilities at no charge. These dogs offer support for servicemen and women who are dealing with combat stress. They improve the lives of first responders as well.
Details: Visit puppy.guidedog.org and donate.vetdogs.org.