Friday, April 3, 2009

New Beginnings

Article from Front and Finish Magazine about a fellow dog friend and fellow puppy trainer's success story with her rescued dog!



Sit-Stay-Read

Obedience News in Florida

Lisa Ussery

DOGANDPONYSHOWl @aol.com


New Beginnings

AT THE BEGINNING OF EACH YEAR we vow to turn over

a new leaf, set higher goals, finish projects that we

have started and most of us make promise to lose

those extra pounds we packed on during the holiday season.

We have a successful training story from Florida dog trainers who

took on a challenge and offered a dog a new beginning and

a better life. The first story hails from one of my favorite dog

training clubs ODTC.( Orlando Dog Training Club) Please enjoy the good news we received

from Debra Wood in Orlando, Florida.


Surge's Story


"Name-look-treat, name-look-treat that initial and fundamental

basic we teach in puppy class serves as a strong

foundation not only for obedience work but also for enriching

lives of those less fortunate. Little did I know how much joy

Surge knowing her name could bring me.

"Rescued from Hurricane Katrina's floodwaters, Surge

arrived in my life timid and unschooled, yet I valued her

good-natured temperament and saw her potential to take me

back to the bedside, albeit in a non-nursing role. Mary Ann

Sanford, an instructor at the Orlando Dog Training Club,

patiently helped her gain manners and on our first attempt,

Surge secured a Canine Good Citizen title. From there, we

became a Therapy Dog Inc.-registered team, regularly visiting

the Orlando VA Community Living Center (formerly the

Nursing Home Care Unit) with Be An Angel Therapy Dogs

Ministry.

''An elderly man in a geri chair always watched as the other

veterans pet Surge. He never moved or said a word. Every visit

for nearly two years, I would ask if he wanted to see or pet my

dog ... nothing. I thought maybe he just liked looking at her

spin, sit, down, stand for exam, and run through her other

exercises.

"Then, she broke through. I thought I detected a slight

nod when I queried once again if he wanted to visit with her,

so I lifted her up. Much to my surprise, he raised both arms

and started rubbing on her soft coat, smiling the whole time.

Finally, I put her down.

«[ could not wait until our next visit. He was, as usual,

waiting for us, his eyes watching as we entered the room. I

headed toward him and inquired if he wanted to see her and

received a slight nod. He immediately started petting her and

then softly said, 'Name: I could hardly believe my ears. He

spoke. I informed him that I call her Surge. He said her name.

She looked right at him and gave him a quick lick. His radiant

smile will stay with me always.

"Just as Surge captured my heart with her happy, loving

manner, she connected with him as she has done with so

many of the former U.S. servicemen and women we visit:'

- Debra Wood, her proud mom

frontandfinish.com

8 comments:

Dughallmor Beagles said...

What a touching and inspiring story :o) And therapy dogs, whether recognised as that or not are a special gift.
Slobbers xx

D.K. Wall said...

Thank you for sharing that wonderful story.

My father has Parkinson's and is regularly at the V.A. (he is still living at home thanks to my mom and some home health care we have arranged). If he ever has to live there, volunteers like that will be priceless to us.

We finally got my mom a Siberian over his protests (and her desire), but he looks for that dog all of the time and can always be found petting him. Nothing like a dog for emotional therapy.

Scooby Doo said...

Hello Kira
I saw your comment on Khyra's blog. I would be furry happy fur you to fill out a questionnare fur Scampi. I can get in touch with the certain pooch you are referring to quite easily and should have a fairly quick response fur you.
Hugs from the Stud
Scooby Doo

NAK and The Residents of The Khottage Now With KhattleDog! said...

Ah yes!

The power of KHANINE love!

We are usually pretty good mirakhle workers!

My Doggy Nanny always had 'smaller' dogs around the house than me BUT I think she likes having a furry statue that khan sit even with her when she's resting on her sofa!

Tank woo fur sharing!

Hugz&Khysses,
Khyra The Pawsylvania Siberian

Martha said...

What a lovely story - it is strange how humans and animals connect.
Probably because animals expect nothing and ask for nothing in return............
The story of Greyfriars Bobby in Scotland is a real inspiring story of a dog's emotional bond with his owner.
Therapy dogs do such great work with young and old! Sick and well!
Have a lovely weekend. xxx

Princess Eva and Brice said...

They say that stroking a pup or cat is extremely good therapy. I think a kiss from a pup is even better!

Princess Eva

♥♥ The OP Pack ♥♥ said...

Pets are the best, aren't they? Thanks for sharing a wonderful story.

Woos, the OP Pack

Jack & Moo said...

This story brought a smile to my mom's face, too. She said when I was a youngster, she took me to a pic-nic where a few old veterans who rarely spoke to anyone reacted to me, too. They came over & started telling stories about dogs their units "adopted" during the war overseas, & how much they loved the canine company. Yup, woo know what they say, we're "man's best friend"!

Woos & a-roos,
Star & Jack a-roo