Puppy's Notes: The question I hear the most is "Can I pet him?" and I don't really understand it but sometimes the answer is "Yes, if he is sitting." and sometimes it is "No, I'm sorry." I LOVE to be pet! I love the attention, but there is this small growing part of me that knows that I need to focus on my human and do the work she is asking me to do no matter what. I have a GREAT life. I get to run around and be a normal puppy at home, playing, chasing, fetching, getting into trouble BUT I am also extra special because I get to go places and do things that other dogs do not when I put on my cape. I am a leader dog and I am awesome every day. I am awesome when I am at work, at school, at home and I will be awesome when I grow up. No matter what.
Susan's Notes: There are a lot of questions involved in raising a foster puppy, and I hope that this post will help you to learn some answers. Here are some of my FAQ:
Q: Can you tell me more about the puppy?
A: He is a Canine Companion for Independence puppy from the N litter. He will go on to graduate in about 18 months. He then goes into extensive training at the wonderful NEW Canine Companions for Independence at Baylor Scott & White Health – Kinkeade Campus in Irving, TX.
Q: Can I pet him?
A: It never hurts to ask, but be prepared to be told no. Assistance dogs, even puppies in training, need to focus on their human/client/partner. If the puppy learns to associate fun, attention and the reward of being pet by strangers too much he may start to focus on this rather than his job. However, he is a puppy and we want to socialize him so sometimes the answer is yes. I always say he has to be sitting though and in control, otherwise he loses his reward. I also like him to try to focus on me and not you..........because lets be honest, I am going to be the one feeding him and you are walking away.....which one deserves loyalty? :-)
Q: What kind of assistance dog will he be?
A: I don't know. Just like every kid grows up to have different talents, skills and aptitudes; puppies are very similar and the organization he works with (Canine Companions for Independence or CCI) will work very hard to find him the right job. Their focus is to train service dogs, facility dogs, skilled companions and hearing dogs. However,
CCI tries to find another working career for them whenever possible. Learn more about CCI Assistance Dogs.
Q.
Who is eligible to apply for a Canine Companion?
A: Adults and children with physical and/or developmental
disabilities who can demonstrate that a Canine Companion will enhance their
independence or quality of life are eligible to apply. Professionals and skilled volunteers working
in medical and mental health care settings and educational environments where
clients could benefit from interaction with a Facility Dog are also eligible to
apply.
Q. Who is eligible to apply for a Canine Companion?
Adults and children with physical and/or developmental disabilities who can demonstrate that a Canine
Companion will enhance their independence or quality of life are eligible to apply
. Professionals and
skilled volunteers working in medical and mental health care settings and educational environments
where clients could benefit from interaction with a Facility Dog are also eligible to apply
.
Q. Who is eligible to apply for a Canine Companion?
Adults and children with physical and/or developmental disabilities who can demonstrate that a Canine
Companion will enhance their independence or quality of life are eligible to apply
. Professionals and
skilled volunteers working in medical and mental health care settings and educational environments
where clients could benefit from interaction with a Facility Dog are also eligible to apply
.
Q: What if he fails?
A: He will become one of the best trained, most friendly, wonderful PETS in the world.
Q: What are you training him to do?
A: Right now, he is a puppy and we are still working on the basics. As you can see from his blog we will be both learning a lot. He will go to puppy classes and work on sit, down, stay, under, stand, heal and other basic important skills that need to be taught early and often. He is also being exposed to very important socialization. Later he will go on to "puppy college" where he will learn more advanced tricks, skills and ultimately be placed with a client and learn personalized things to help them.
Q: Will you have to give him up?
A: Yes, when he is about 18 months old he will go on to "puppy college" and then find his career. I know that this will be hard, and not everyone could do it, but I am glad that this is something that I CAN do and I know that he is going on to a rewarding and well cared for life.
Q: What about the cost?
A: Anyone who has ever had a dog, knows that they are not cheap. Volunteer foster parents shoulder the costs for their care as puppies but with this organization, Canine Companions for Independence, clients do not pay to apply for or to receive their Assistance Dogs. The sponsorship to breed or rescue, raise, train, place an Assistance Dog and provide ongoing team support exceeds $30,000. There is no insurance or government funding available to sponsor Assistance Dogs. CCI funding comes from individual donations nationwide.
Note: Please understand that these are my Q and A based on my knowledge and experience and are not official answers for CCI. To view official CCI FAQ visit their site for puppies or the organization. If you have more questions about CCI visit their contact page to get in touch. If you have additional questions for me, please feel free to leave a comment and I will do my best to answer it.
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