A Meeting with a Sweetheart!
Gracie, a beautiful golden retriever and a genuine sweetheart, came to our February meeting along with her owners and our Robson neighbors, Maureen and Jerry Bennett. Maureen is a founder and Board member of the IDEA Service Dogs. IDEA Service Dogs has assisted persons with disabilities realize their dream of having a service dog since 2010. They believe that many people with disabilities can achieve improved quality of life through the addition of a service dog, which they own, raise and train with their professional dog trainers.
Maureen's presentation started off with a quote from Roger Caras:
"If you don't own a dog, at least one, there is not necessarily anything wrong with you, but there may be something wrong with your life"
Maureen's presentation was fascinating, beginning with her involvement as a puppy raiser and volunteer at Canine Companions and eventually student at Leashes for Living where she obtained her first service dog, Mercy and where she because VP for them. Her first student in Texas was as a favor for a friend in 2008. It took them a few years to do the research and get the business ready but in 2012 they incorporated and became a 501 (c) 3. In 013 they converted their garage into a classroom and in 2017 they moved to The Keller Pointe and in 2020 they moved to their present location at Lucky Dog Training Center in Keller. All Board members and staff at IDEA are unpaid.
There are several ways to get a service dog but it is expensive! $20K - $35K or more to purchase plus they don't allow any other pets in the home. Or the owner can train with a private trainer ($100 - $250 and hour or more) or an owner could train with publicly available training resources. But the cost for the IDEA program is extremely reasonable - $350 plus $50 a month for 18 - 20 months, plus the cost of puppy and ongoing veterinary care, food and modest supplies. The cost of the program includes puppy selection and evaluation and IDEA works with breeders on early puppy stimulation.
The Disabilities that IDEA specializes in are mobility issues for adults 18 and older. This includes people with MS, RA, Spinal Cord injuries, TBI, Stroke Survivor, Parkinson's, Ehler-Danios Syndrome and POTS, Neurofibromatosis, ALS and Seizure response.
They train dogs to retrieve dropped objects, open and close doors, press buttons to open doors, assist with dressing or undressing. The dogs have to pass the Public Access test where they have to leave food alone and much, much more.
The Curriculum is science-based and positive training methods. Maureen recommended a couple of books, Puppy Start Right by KP Trainer Debbie Martin, The Power of Positive Dog Training by Pat Miller, and Doggie Language by Lili Chin, Maureen also recommended the book, The Forever Dog by Rodney Habib but it's quite a technical book so she has supplied us with a copy of her notes below. Also below is a chart which shows the difference between a service dog, therapy dog and companion dog.
Maureen then had Gracie show some of the skills that she has learned, such as picking up a credit card and fetching pill container.
The entire presentation was so fascinating and to discover how dogs can help disabled people live fuller and more complete lives with the help of their canine companions. If you are interested in contributing to this worthy organization, please click here. If you are interested in volunteering with IDEA, please click here.
Maureen's presentation started off with a quote from Roger Caras:
"If you don't own a dog, at least one, there is not necessarily anything wrong with you, but there may be something wrong with your life"
Maureen's presentation was fascinating, beginning with her involvement as a puppy raiser and volunteer at Canine Companions and eventually student at Leashes for Living where she obtained her first service dog, Mercy and where she because VP for them. Her first student in Texas was as a favor for a friend in 2008. It took them a few years to do the research and get the business ready but in 2012 they incorporated and became a 501 (c) 3. In 013 they converted their garage into a classroom and in 2017 they moved to The Keller Pointe and in 2020 they moved to their present location at Lucky Dog Training Center in Keller. All Board members and staff at IDEA are unpaid.
There are several ways to get a service dog but it is expensive! $20K - $35K or more to purchase plus they don't allow any other pets in the home. Or the owner can train with a private trainer ($100 - $250 and hour or more) or an owner could train with publicly available training resources. But the cost for the IDEA program is extremely reasonable - $350 plus $50 a month for 18 - 20 months, plus the cost of puppy and ongoing veterinary care, food and modest supplies. The cost of the program includes puppy selection and evaluation and IDEA works with breeders on early puppy stimulation.
The Disabilities that IDEA specializes in are mobility issues for adults 18 and older. This includes people with MS, RA, Spinal Cord injuries, TBI, Stroke Survivor, Parkinson's, Ehler-Danios Syndrome and POTS, Neurofibromatosis, ALS and Seizure response.
They train dogs to retrieve dropped objects, open and close doors, press buttons to open doors, assist with dressing or undressing. The dogs have to pass the Public Access test where they have to leave food alone and much, much more.
The Curriculum is science-based and positive training methods. Maureen recommended a couple of books, Puppy Start Right by KP Trainer Debbie Martin, The Power of Positive Dog Training by Pat Miller, and Doggie Language by Lili Chin, Maureen also recommended the book, The Forever Dog by Rodney Habib but it's quite a technical book so she has supplied us with a copy of her notes below. Also below is a chart which shows the difference between a service dog, therapy dog and companion dog.
Maureen then had Gracie show some of the skills that she has learned, such as picking up a credit card and fetching pill container.
The entire presentation was so fascinating and to discover how dogs can help disabled people live fuller and more complete lives with the help of their canine companions. If you are interested in contributing to this worthy organization, please click here. If you are interested in volunteering with IDEA, please click here.