This week, we’ll take you to Dallas, Texas to get to know how a teenager fulfilled her pageant dream with the help of her service dog.
Last year’s Miss Dallas Teen USA pageant was won by a dynamic duo – the beautiful 17-year-old Alison Appleby from Sherman, Texas, and her handsome Service Dog- Brady, the Golden Retriever. Since sharing the crown was not an option, they were both given one.
Before entering the competition, Alison was discouraged – a random stranger told her that being a pageant girl material does not involve having a disability and a service dog. That comment was, in fact, a booster and inspired Alison to prove the stranger wrong.
As reported, Alison was diagnosed with epilepsy about two years ago. From that moment, Brady’s job was alerting her of upcoming seizures. However, that is not the only thing Brady does – at the moment, he is training to learn how to fetch the seizure medications when needed.
Source: ENews
New “Shelter To Service” Program Offers Shelter Canines A Second Chance By Training Them Into Service Dogs
In collaboration with the KPro K9 dog training service, the Northshore Humane Society launched an innovative program called “Shelter to Service.”
As the brains behind the program say, their goal is pretty simple – to give shelter (abandoned and stray) dogs a new “leash” in life. In simple words, the program pulls dogs from shelters and trains them into service dogs.
However, becoming a Service Dog is a process. First, the dogs are assessed to determine whether they fit the criteria for being service dogs (body traits and personality).
After being hand-picked, the dogs are matched with a recipient – a child or an adult person with a psychiatric disability (anxiety, PTSD, autism).
The third step is training. All shelter dogs recruited to be service dogs undergo the “Elite Complete Training Program.” The training process is four months long and divided into two-week rotations between the trainer and the new owner.
During the first two weeks, the dog lives with the trainer and learns the basics – obedience training, followed by intermediate and advanced training. Depending on the recipient’s individual needs, the dog also learns specific service behaviors.
Then, the canine trainee spends two weeks with the new owner. This time is spent on bonding and handler training. After that, the dog returns to the trainer, and the two-week rotation pattern continues until the program is completed.
The team says everyone can apply and join the “Shelter to Service” program by visiting their site, answering the pre-qualification questions, and paying the $25 application fee.
Source: WWLTV
CertaPet’s Thoughts on This Week’s News
Dogs getting crowns – could it get better than this? We have always believed that dogs are kings & queens, and now our suspicions are confirmed. Congratulations to Alison Appleby on her Miss teen pageant crown and advocacy for people with disabilities. Also, congratulations to Brady for being supportive and looking cute. We sincerely hope that Alison and Brady will serve as an inspiration to many.
We applaud the amazing “Shelter to Service” program. It is truly heartwarming to know that shelter dogs can get a second chance in life. And not just an ordinary chance, but a noble one – helping people overcome mental problems. We wish the “Shelter to Service” program a skyrocketing success. We also pin our hopes on more off-center ideas that can promote adoption and decrease the number of shelter dogs.