WEEK 1: IN A NUT SHELL

DAY 1: 2/26/06: GRADUATION
DAY 2: 2/27/06: NORTH HAMPTON PRISON & PUPPY HOUSE
DAY 3: 2/28/06: JOHN J. MORAN PRISON RHODE ISLAND & SOCIAL DOG INTERVIEW & PUPPY /DOG TRAINING OBSERVATION
DAY 4: 3/01/06: PONDVILLE PRISON & WORK WITH KATIE
DAY 5: 3/02/06:FRAMINGHAM MCI (WOMEN'S MEDIUM) & GARDNER PRISON & WORK WITH CABOT
DAY 6: 3/03/06: NIANTIC PRISON (WOMEN'S FACILITY)
DAY 7: 3/04/06: PUPPY HOUSE & DOG RESEARCH
DAY 8: 3/05/06: DOG RESEARCH

Each day we woke up at 6 and headed out with Cindy (the prison trainer) to see the prison puppy program, where NEADS sends out 80% of their puppies for training. Dogs that are sent to prison tend to be confident and social which make them better suited handle the strict environment. The remaining 20% are brought into homes and are raised by volunteers. These dogs are typically brought into homes to help boost their confidence with lots of socialization. The prison puppies are given to handlers who, with Cindy's help, will teach them basic obedience as well as the skills they will need to become guide dogs.

These skills include sit, stay, wait and go through for doors, jump on and off, lay donw, under (tables), fetch (keys/glasses/change/paper/credit cards ect..), nudge (light switches/elevator doors/automatic doors), tug (doors), lap, watch me (focus), heel and so much more. The dogs are taught these skills with the handler walking and in a wheel chair. Cindy travels to each of these prisons once a week to help the prisoners with problem areas as well as to check the health of the dogs. She gives the prisoners homework (new tricks and behavior questionaires) each week which they are required to fill out and give back to her on the following week.

On weekends the dogs are picked up by weekend puppy handlers that take the dogs out of prison and work on socialization. This means that they are responsible for bringing the dogs outside to meet and greet the public as well as other dogs so that they get used to situations they will see when they are working. This helps the dogs build confidence and elimiate shyess. It is important for the dogs to remain relaxed and under control in high stress situations.

Six new puppies were brought to the facilities while we were there. These new puppies are around 4 months when they are taken from the puppy house at NEADS. They will live at the prisons until they are between 12 and 15 months of age. Cindy then takes the puppies back to NEADS where the dogs will go through advanced training. If tne dogs pass, they are partnered up with a client who needs a service animal. The three types of dogs trained at NEADS are social, hearing & service.

Social dogs are big, lovable, goofy dogs like goldens that are are partnered with cliets that have a mental disability. Their main job is to help the child or adult with socialization. The dog can help enhance verbal skills and helps bring the public to the client. These dogs have the same training as the hearing and service dogs but they have a lower physical drive. These clients also have a liason that is with the client and the dog at all times and helps the person with dog care and obedience. Some social dogs are used as therapy dogs and are given to teachers or doctors who work with clients that have mental and physical disabilites. They can also be used in certain situations to calm and relax clients.

Hearing dogs tend to be smaller sound sensitive hyper dogs like terriers. It is their job to alert deaf and hard of hearing clients of souds. When an alarm, siren, phone, or door bell sounds the dog leaves the owner and runs toward the sound, runs back to the client, and returns to the sound. The dog continues to do this until the client finds the sound and the noise stops.

Service dogs are usually larger breed dogs that help clients with physical disabilities. The owners are expected to be mentally sound and for the most part capable of taking care of the dogs needs. These clients need their dog to perform behaviors that help the client with obstacles. These dogs perform a multitude of jobs including retrieving objects, helping with stability, turnig lights on/off, opening and closing doors including the refrigerator and elevators, as well as accompanying the clients all day everyday everywhere the clients wants to go.

When a client and a dog are matched they come to live at NEADS and are trained to use the dogs for their specific disability or need. This training lasts between a week or two depending on the type of dog. The client and dog then take a test to see that they are capable of working together. If the client passes they graduate agd take the dog back home. Service dogs are retired after 10 years.

WEEK 1: THOUGHTS & PICTURES

This week has been absolutely amazing!!! It has also been pretty exhausting....the work is hard but enjoyable. I have learned so much since arriving and I can not wait to start the dog training.

On Sunday I was able to attend a NEADS graduation. It was incredible to see all of the clients (19) who were about to embark on a new and independent life with their service dogs. Hearing the stories of the clients and seeing the bond that they shared with these animals and their handlers was something that definitely made a strong impression on me...it's something that I feel privledged to have experienced and a moment that I will never forget. Seeing the prison program and working with Cindy has also been wonderful! I grew especially attached to Ruthie a golden retriever pup...I wish I had a picture...what a character!!!! Talking with the prisoners and seeing the relationship that they share with these animals as well as the pride they have in giving back to the community was extraordinary.

Next week I will begin my training when I am paired up with a dog who has behavioral problems. However this week I did get to work with a dog named Cabot, a smooth haired collie who will be working as a service dog soon. He was so stoic and calm, an all around great companion.

I hope that the pictures and messages I send are able to some what convey this experience to you! I also should note before closing that the staff and voluteers at NEADS have been wonderfully helpful and are always willing to share advice, ideas and a good laugh with us. They have been nothing but welcoming to us since we arrived at the house and I am looking forward to building relationships with these people.

Thanks for checking in on me!!


Jess

Me& Cabot, Katie & Katie, Dominic & Lauren

 

EVEN WORKING DOGS GET TO SLEEP

 

DOGGIES

 

 

THE HOUSE