2008 Woodie Awards
News Student, dog make team for life Cathy Carver's golden retriever is more than a pet to her.
By: Lori Robison
Issue date: 11/14/96 Section: News
Some corporate sponsors even provide food to the owners for
the dogs.
Puppies aged eight weeks to 18 months receive special,
more relaxed training by volunteer "foster parents." In
addition, all of the dogs receive intensive instruction
regarding the individual tasks they will be expected to
perform, Acree said.
During this more intensive period, animals are matched
with their prospective owners, Acree said.
After applicants submit a complete medical history and
a videotape including an interview and tours through the
home and work place, KSDS trainers use the tapes and
information to tailor instruction specifically for that
client, he said.
Finally, owners must attend classes ranging from one
week to 24 days at the school site, where they learn the
best way to work with and care for their special companions.
But Carver describes Capp as more than a pet, more than
a companion. The basic commands taught by KSDS has allowed
her to train Capp to pick up items, turn lights on and off
and close and open doors.
"He's really an extension of me," she said. In fact,
there are few places they don't go together. They go to
classes and movies together, and they travel together --
even on airplanes.
But aside from the numerous barriers Carver's teammate
has helped her overcome, she said people sometimes
inadvertently cause problems by coming up and petting or
talking to Capp.
"One of the largest barriers to using service dogs is
the amount of distraction the dogs are expected to deal
with," Carver said. "The dogs work for their owner because
of love, affection, and caring. People don't understand that
by distracting the dog, they're putting that person's life
in danger."
Unwelcome attention from strangers has caused obedience
problems with Cappuccino in the past, Carver said, including
an episode where the dog ran into the grass dragging Carver
and her wheelchair behind him.
the dogs.
Puppies aged eight weeks to 18 months receive special,
more relaxed training by volunteer "foster parents." In
addition, all of the dogs receive intensive instruction
regarding the individual tasks they will be expected to
perform, Acree said.
During this more intensive period, animals are matched
with their prospective owners, Acree said.
After applicants submit a complete medical history and
a videotape including an interview and tours through the
home and work place, KSDS trainers use the tapes and
information to tailor instruction specifically for that
client, he said.
Finally, owners must attend classes ranging from one
week to 24 days at the school site, where they learn the
best way to work with and care for their special companions.
But Carver describes Capp as more than a pet, more than
a companion. The basic commands taught by KSDS has allowed
her to train Capp to pick up items, turn lights on and off
and close and open doors.
"He's really an extension of me," she said. In fact,
there are few places they don't go together. They go to
classes and movies together, and they travel together --
even on airplanes.
But aside from the numerous barriers Carver's teammate
has helped her overcome, she said people sometimes
inadvertently cause problems by coming up and petting or
talking to Capp.
"One of the largest barriers to using service dogs is
the amount of distraction the dogs are expected to deal
with," Carver said. "The dogs work for their owner because
of love, affection, and caring. People don't understand that
by distracting the dog, they're putting that person's life
in danger."
Unwelcome attention from strangers has caused obedience
problems with Cappuccino in the past, Carver said, including
an episode where the dog ran into the grass dragging Carver
and her wheelchair behind him.