Service Dog!!!!

 

Got The news we have been wait ing for!

 

Hi Andrea,

On behalf of Paws with a Cause®, we would like to thank you for your support of our organization and for your dedication in raising FLORA as a PAWS® Foster Puppy. We think it is terrific that there are people, such as yourself, that are willing to give of themselves in such a special way.
We would also like to share the good news that FLORA has been placed with her partner. FLORA and her partner are now working together to form the bond that will make them a working team. Attached please find a placement photo of FLORA. We hope that you experience pride in knowing that the dog that you raised has now become the light of someone’s life and will aid them in gaining the independence that a PAWS Assistance Dog can provide.
Your commitment to PAWS is greatly appreciated! We thank you for your support as we continue to encourage independence for people with disabilities.
CONGRATULATIONS!
The Staff of Paws With A Cause

More litter updates

Today News  from Finn & Fables new families. They both were not right for narcotics detection but have moved on to enjoy new lives as pets. The F brothers were adopted by human brothers and play together frequently. Fable, now called Bubba is enjoying his life. He discovered that tummy time is much nicer when its on the couch.

We're waiting to heat from Finn's foster family to contact his new forever family. Hopefully more news to come!

Oct Progress report

I'm now matched with a client. I will be a service dog for someone with a physical disability.  I just need to refine my skills and be trained specifically for what my person needs me to help out with.
A note from my teacher:
Flora is nearly done with training.  She is struggling a little bit now because I am working more tasks in a session and sometimes she gets confused and wants to work the last task when she gets confused or fails a little with the task we are working on.  Other than that she is really turning into kind of a lovely little worker.

Woo Hoo! Mom is really proud

Meet Kilo AKA Flair

Meet Kilo Clear Lake Police Department welcomes new K-9 officer The Clear Lake Police Department is continuing its tradition of including a K-9 officer on its staff.“Kilo” is being introduced to the community as a single purpose narcotics dog teamed with police officer Cory Gute. Kilo, a 16-month-old black Labrador retriever, is ready for drug detection work, but is still polishing his manners in public.“He’s still a youngster and acts like a puppy, at times,” said Gute. “But he is certified as a narcotics dog and is ready to help.”Gute and Kilo recently completed a three-week training program at Mid-Michigan Kennels and will continue training exercises here. Gute is hopeful that as Kilo matures, he can also learn tracking skills. The dog must be certified yearly by the International Police Work Dog Association for its narcotics work. Kilo is the only K-9 officer in Cerro Gordo County and rides with Gute on almost every shift. Since joining the department in June, the dog has been used roughly twice a week. He was recently introduced to Clear Lake Rotary Club members and soon will make more public appearances, visiting schools and providing demonstrations for interested groups.“We live together and go to work together. I hope we become effective partners,” said Gute. Chief Peterson said he believes a K-9 officer is a valuable tool.

August Update

I have been matched to a client. That means I am training to take care of them. I practice walking and working with someone in a wheelchair, doors, push plates, and the phone. I still have a lot to learn.

A note from my trainer:

Flora is an interesting little dog. She is high energy but responsible and she is beginning to like the work. Now we are working on her distraction.

Wish me luck that continue to do well in school.

Flair- the drug dog

More great news from my brother! Flair got career changed after a very short time but he went to Mid Michigan Kennels and passed with flying colors! His #1 Mom quickly heard back from his
new handler and they have already made a couple drug busts! I couldn't be more
proud :-) He is still doing a great job helping in an environment where his extreme exuberance is appreciated.

July update

We are making great strides. Flora now trusts the trainer to release her so she is beginning to check in with me when out in the yard. She is also beginning to come and lay by me when we are out in the yard. All good signs.

Phase 3 of training

I made it another step in training!

Phase Three training expands on the skills pups have learned in Phase One and Two. Once the Phase Three Trainer has spent some time with the dog and has gotten to know its personality and strengths and weaknesses they will match the dog to a client on the “Find A Dog” list and begin teaching the tasks that this particular client requires of their Assistance Dog. They also try to match up similar personalities of clients and their dogs. Phase Three of training can take from 4 – 8 months depending on how many tasks the dog needs to learn.

Pup-dates

Flora is still in Phase 1&2 training. she has a little stubborn streak they are working on.

Founder & Fritz are in phase 3 of training. YAY!

Fargo & Fable decided PAWS wasn't the job for them. Fable moved to Mid-Michigan Kennels w/Mike Morgan but was no more successful there than at Paws. Too distracted and wouldn't stay on task . . . Fargo- waiting for News

Flair decided to try police k-9 training and after a very short 9 days of training, he was placed as a Narcotics dog in Iowa!

Findley was removed from the program after one week and returned back home. He is doing very well back with his "pack"....

Friday is a certified arson detection dog in Moore county, Maine. We just got a picture of the deputy and K-9 Friday as they call him. So he was destined for greatness at finding things from early in his "career". He was a very HIGH energy dog like the rest of the litter.

Freyja Finn & Frisbee are yet to be heard from. YAY F's

College bound

Today I'm starting a new chapter in my life. COLLEGE!

Welcome to the Incoming class of May 2012! Founder, Finn, Fargo, Frisbee, Fable, Flair, Findley, Fritz, Freyja, Flora, Quincy and Eli!

My first report card: Flora did well on her temperament test and will start training tomorrow.

What comes next? Phase One is basic obedience and Public access training. Phase Two is retrieve training.

Phase One and Two are taught by different trainers simultaneously and usually take 8 - 10 weeks.

During Phase 3 they are assigned to a 3rd Trainer who will then assign them to a client and begin teaching the dogs the specific tasks that the client requires of their Assistance Dog. Phase 3 takes 4 - 6 months depending on how many tasks are needed.

A New Toy

Mom brought me home a new toy. My very own puppy!

This one is real. Her name is Eden. Mom says I have to be gentle.

She is fun to play with.

She does have sharp teeth. I don't mind.

Lake MI

I got to go for a swim in a big lake. The water was cold but

I loved to chase the waves. check it out.

Birthday Girl

Going home

Today we got up very early to drive to the airport. Mom says we're going home.

We had to go through airport security again. The people here did not understand I can't take my jacket & leash off when I'm working. Me & Mom had to go in a special room and the lady patted us down. I didn't mind. She was nice.

This airport has a special room for dogs to take a break.

You don't have to go outside.
You hit that magic button and the door opens.

I sniffed & sniffed and could not find the right place. I feel funny going inside the place.

A nice man took me down the steps and I went right away on the cement outside. Ah relief.

Here I am on the plane. Almost home!

Today is the big day

Mom is going to talk to the kids about what my job will be when I grow up.

She is also talking about how service dogs make you stay healthy and what to do when your person is sick in the hospital. We've been teaching them all week, but this is the official class. Good luck Mom! I'll just nap while you teach. I've heard all this before.

My first trip to a museum

There is a special place we took a walk to. This guy called Andy Warhol liked to paint stuff.

His art is all over town. He even has his face on a bridge.

It was a little weird to me. What do I know? I'm just a puppy. Check it out.

Meeting new friends

Mom didn't tell me there would be other dogs here.

They are from a place called Georgia.

I met Choa and her friend Miller. Their college is called Canine Assistants.

Their human friend is teaching the kids about therapy dogs. Hey, that's Aussie's job.

Mom was mean and would not let us play with our capes on.

They had the same rules as me. Shoot!

Choa is on the cover of a book called "Through a dogs eyes"

I know Mom likes to watch that movie on TV. It always makes her cry.

Glamour shots

I got my picture taken with Mom. I think they came out pretty good.

Convention time

This place is huge!

There are 2000 nursing students here to learn new things.

I am teaching the kids the service dog rules. No petting when I'm in uniform.

I am getting very good at controlled greetings

and just sitting nicely as Mom introduces them to me.

I even ignore them when they talk baby talk to me. Mom is very proud!

They have some scary things here.

Glass elevators and grates in the cement.

They have a nice living room here where we can relax with soft music.

Mom takes my cape off so I can get some pets from my new friends.

I still have to be a polite girl, even when I'm off duty.

I have to learn how to break on the cement. It is icky but I'm getting the hang of it.

Don't they have grass here? This seems a little like school to me too.

Going to Pittsburgh

I got on one of those plane things again. Then a bus and a van.

We're going to Pittsburgh.

We got settled in the room.

I practiced my under.

Checked out my pop up crate.

We met Miss Grace and went to her rehab hospital. We talked to therapists, patients and families. We told them all about service dogs and how they help people.

We told them they could raise a puppy just like me.

I met many nice people. There was one nice young man that had a head injury. He couldn't talk but screamed with delight when he saw me. I got up next to his chair and let him pet me. I even gave him a little smooch. He screamed and laughed.

It was a special day.

Counting down

I'm finishing up reading month with an assembly.

I wanted to play with the stuffed puppies on the stage.

I have a black one at home that looks like these.

I really wanted to play with that real baby puppy Boz.

Mom says I'll get my own puppy real soon.

Some other kids also donated gifts for college and home made dog treats.

It was tough to LEAVE IT.

I showed the babies how it was done.