• Embed Doc
  • Copy Link
  • Readcast
  • Collections
  • CommentGo Back
Download
 
Raising an Seeing Eye Dogby Denise GrantWhen I was 17 I was approached my local 4-H Extension Agent and asked if I wouldlike to participate in a “Seeing Eye Dog” program to raise and train a puppy. Ihave always enjoyed dogs but I was very busy with school sports and otheractivities plus 4-H. I was not sure if I could take on a large time consumingresponsibility.I thought about it then asked my parents. Their response was the same. Do you havetime for the responsibility? They let me know it was my job. It took a few weeksbut I decided it was a worthwhile cause and to accept the challenge.I picked up my puppy at the courthouse where 15 other people were also waiting.There were black labs and German shepherds given out that day. One black lab puppycaught my eye and I was hoping that would be my project for the next year. Thepuppies had already been given names and owners before they arrived at thecourthouse.The labs were all named names that began with L. Lucy, Larry, and Louie werecalled and handed out. Then Lars was called, the puppy I wanted. And believe it ornot my name was called. This squiggly active lab would live with me for one yearand be trained then go on to help a blind person.In this program it was your responsibility to train the dog to be able to live ina home and participate in the community. He had to ride elevators, behave instores and crowds. He had to be able to go and participate in any activity hisfuture owner would go to and behave and be the “eyes” for his best friend.I would also teach the dog basic commands in the way the Seeing Eye Dog Programwanted them trained. In order to do this I attended an evening class with the dogevery other week.My first experience at the training was eye opening. We walked into a room withclose to 100 dogs of all ages. Some were older and well trained and other werewild puppies. My dog behaved well that night and knew his few basic commands. Iwas proud!The year went quickly. I walked my dog in the morning and after school he would gofor a walk and go through his basic training commands. Lars loved these times.They weren’t training they were play times. He had longer training on the weekendsand trip to town and public buildings. Lars was known and loved in the area.I received the call almost a year to the day of getting the puppy. It was time toturn Lars in. He was very well trained and actually knew a few extra commands. Iknew he would do well and broaden a person’s life. I was asked at the same time ifI would take another dog to train. I said yes.Two weeks later I got a call. I had a German shepherd puppy that would bedelivered later that week. I also had a decision to make. They were sorry toinform me the program would not accept Lars.I was stunned. He was so well trained. I asked why. I was told he flunked hishealth test.The dog had the disease Hip Dysplasia, common in labs. I was devastated. This dogwould have been a perfect Seeing Eye dog. I was also told I could have the dogreturned to me or the dog would have to be put to sleep, they could not warrantplacing a dog in a home with a serious disease.I didn’t need another dog with a new puppy coming and school starting but Lars hadbeen a member of the family for almost a year. I asked my parents and they saidthe decision was mine. I could tell my mother had mixed feelings and my dad wantedthe dog!Two weeks later my German shepherd puppy India arrived along with her big brotherLars. It was nice to see the lab again but disappointing knowing he had a diseasethat kept him out of a program where he would have helped a person.Training IndiaI was told when I received German shepherd that they usually train a little slower
of 00

Leave a Comment

You must be to leave a comment.
Submit
Characters: ...
You must be to leave a comment.
Submit
Characters: ...