STYLETHREAD -- LET'S TALK SHOP!

The dog training post made me think about assistance dog programs.  Not wanting to hijack the thread, I decided to start a new one here.  No real reason to bring this up except to share the joy I feel knowing the people who are involved in assistance dog training and those who benefit from these amazing animals.  

I have a friend who helps raise and train dogs for Canine Companions for Independence (www.caninecompanions.org).  She brings whatever golden retriever she is training at the time to work with her so he can get used to being around lots of people (at the college).  

Also, my cousin's son just got news that he will be getting a dog from 4 Paws for Ability (www.4pawsforability.org) very soon.  My cousin fostered and subsequently adopted an infant who was born with severe fetal alcohol syndrome and suffered from full, gross neglect to the point that he is developmentally, physically, emotionally, and mentally behind.  He is six years old now, and he'll need assistance all his life.  The dog will help in many ways:  making sure he doesn't wander off and putting physical pressure on him when he's having an anxiety attack.  Of course, he'll benefit from the simple companionship and bond they'll develop.  He's the sweetest kid; I hope it really works for him.

You're "talking to" someone who tears up every single time she sees her neighbor jogging through the neighborhood with his black lab guide dog.   Facebook friends might remember that I recently posted an article about dogs who are trained to listen to kids read.  It's a way to get kids to read without worrying about being judged or laughed at.
http://www.guardian.co.uk/education/2011/feb/28/dogs-listen-to-children-reading

 I'm going to stop writing about these stories now.  I'm getting choked up!  Ugh!