Veteran’s Service Dog
The 2006 rocket attack in Afghanistan that severely injured Gretchen Evans represented something of an ending for the U.S. Army command sergeant major, who awoke to be informed by a medic’s message on a dry erase board that she’d permanently lost her hearing.
But the tragedy also marked a new beginning for Evans, a woman packed with a strength and resolve that belies her 5-foot, 3-inch, 100-pound stature. She saw a challenge to be overcome, and with the help of Aura, a trained hearing service dog, Evans said she “went from being a blown-up deaf person to a person who now feels safe and secure in the world.”
Evans, who moved to Brunswick this year with her husband and Bowdoin College alumnus, Robert, has gotten a well-deserved amount of limelight over the years, appearing on “Megyn Kelly Today” and “Courage in Sports,” a TV documentary that profiled badly-injured veterans, and penning “Leading from the Front,” which covers her time in the Army. But now it’s Aura’s turn, Evans said. She entered the 7-year-old black Labrador/golden retriever mix into the national 2020 American Humane Hero Dog Awards, and of a pool of 408 canine candidates, Aura emerged as one of 21 semifinalists, including “Dolly Pawton” of Naples. Aura is one of only three in the guide/hearing category – one of seven total categories – and the top dog is to be featured in the Hero Dog Awards Broadcast, to be broadcast sometime this fall on the Hallmark Channel. “The American Humane Hero Dog Awards are our way of honoring the best of our best friends,” noted Dr. Robin Ganzert, American Humane president and CEO. “This unique effort brings attention to the life-changing, life-saving power of the human-animal bond.”
The awards, sponsored by the Lois Pope LIFE Foundation, “celebrate America’s often unsung heroes,” Pope said. “From those who defend our country to those who help us heal, guide us, protect us, and help find the lost, every single contender exemplifies the courage and heroism we seek to spotlight in this campaign. Our goal is not only to honor these magnificent dogs but to inspire America to reflect on the outsized contributions that animals make in our lives each and every day.”
“It’s really all about (Aura),” the 59-year-old said. “I’m just arm-candy to her.”
Thanks to therapy she had in the year after becoming deaf, Evans speaks clearly and read lips well. Accents can be problematic, because words are formed differently, and beards can make lip-reading difficult, too.
“It’s like learning a foreign language, almost, because you’re really translating,” said Evans, who is due to be a guest speaker at Brunswick’s Veterans Day dedication of its Veterans Plaza.
Refusing to think of herself as disabled after her injury – which ended her 27-year Army career and left her struggling to find work – Evans navigated an all-silent world without a guide dog for nearly 10 years. Veterans Affairs set her up with devices to compensate for her lack of hearing, like a light that flashed when the doorbell rang, and a vibration in her mattress that would wake her up when the alarm went off. But “once I left the house, I was a deaf person again,” she said.
Two scares made Evans realize she needed more help. At a hotel for her husband’s conference, she was in the shower when housekeeping knocked repeatedly on her door, and both parties were mutually shocked when they met in the bathroom.
Another time, Evans was jogging down the street, and didn’t hear the bicyclist on the sidewalk behind her say he’d be passing on her left. The collision threw her into the street, and the Mercedes that slammed on its brakes stopped inches from her head.
“I still remember smelling that burned rubber smell,” Evans said.
The doctor at the hospital told her she’d have to stop doing the things she used to do. Evans felt an empty pit in her stomach, the latest dose of bad news in a struggle since the missile attack that had brought her a brain injury and post traumatic stress disorder.
“I felt like if I didn’t stick my foot in that closing door, I was going to lose myself,” Evans said. “I was beginning to think I was running out of options.”
She emailed her story to America’s VetDogs, which to her great relief informed her that while it had never before trained a hearing dog, the organization would find a way to do so for her, and provide the canine free of cost.
Evans was paired with Aura, who she calls “a fur guardian angel,” five years ago.
Curious, and packed with energy and intelligence, Aura will nudge Evans if she hears a sound she’s been trained to tell her handler about, like a doorbell. Evans asks Aura, “where’s the sound?,” and her companion will take her to the door, the microwave, the washer and dryer, her cell phone if a text message has arrived – wherever the sound has occurred. If an emergency vehicle blares a warning while Evans is driving, Aura lets her know.
Aura stands to her rear, so nothing coming up from behind Evans will startle her. They go on hikes together.
“She’s given me back my independence,” Evans said. “I don’t consider myself a deaf person anymore; I have ears. Aura is my ears.”
Chewie The Therapy Dog
Chewie the therapy dog is not quite Clifford the Big Red Dog, but at 85 pounds, he’s a pretty big guy. He’s also a pretty big help at Park Hill Elementary.
Chewie, a goldendoodle, is a certified therapy dog who spends much of his time at Park Hill helping special needs students. It’s his calling, his owner Jen Gage said.
Gage, who is the office manager at Gage Chiropractic, had a lifelong calling to work with special needs kids. As a child, reading was something that Gage struggled with in school.
“As a kid, I hated to read out loud,” Gage said. “I felt very insecure, and I would have to go to special reading groups.”
A few years ago, Gage started researching how dogs could be helpful to kids struggling with reading. She thought that “maybe I could help a child and make them feel a little bit more confident and competent.”
Chewie got his therapy dog certification back in 2016. He started out by spending time with young cancer patients at Wesley Medical Center.
The cancer doctor she was connected to at Wesley ended up leaving the hospital, so Gage needed to find somewhere else for Chewie to help.
“Around that time, [Park Hill Principal Sandy Rusher, a client at Gage Chiropractic], brought it to my attention that she would love to have a dog,” Gage said. “So I thought, ‘Well, here’s my opportunity. God works in mysterious ways.’”
Before the coronavirus shut down schools, Gage and Chewie would go to Park Hill and spend time each week with the SLC classes. They would go to recess with special needs students every Monday. On Wednesdays, she and Chewie would visit kids in different classrooms and grade levels and read with them.
“It’s been extremely rewarding,” Gage said. “It just makes my heart happy when I see those children light up just because of a dog.”
Sandy Rusher will serve as principal at the new Stone Creek Elementary in the fall, and Gage and Chewie plan to follow her there too.
“But I’m also going to continue at Park Hill, because the SLC class has made such great strides in two years,” Gage said. “I don’t want to stop doing that, so I’ll continue at both schools.”
When he’s not at a school, Chewie can be found at the Gage Chiropractic office. Patients young and old love seeing him there.
“A grown man will walk in here, and then it’s just baby talk,” Gage said. “There’s a woman who’s 87 years old who brings treats for him every time she sees him.”
Chewie may be a big guy, but he’s got a cool demeanor. Gage said she sometimes calls him Bob Marley “because he’s just so calm.”
“With the kids, he’ll lay down, and they’ll lay on top of him and read,” Gage said. “He’s just very relaxed.”
Chewie may soon be expanding his services even further. Recently Gage and Chewie crossed paths with a Derby High School SRO officer, and the officer recognized Chewie and asked for his business card. Chewie might help at the high school with some of the higher-anxiety students. Wherever he goes next, there’s one thing Chewie will definitely keep doing: “Bringing a smile to somebody’s face,” Gage said.
Dog Yoga
Have you ever heard of Doga? It’s yoga… with dogs! If you haven’t heard of this before, yes, it’s a thing and has actually been around for a while. If you are looking for ways to enhance the bond with your canine companion, you need to check this out!
Listen for FREE to this episode of the Wag Out Loud pawdcast where expert Be Solomon shares more details on the benefits of doing yoga and meditation with your dog, the how-tos, and precautions you should consider. And why not share that special bond you have with your dog with others? Ever thought about becoming a therapy team? When you pay attention to the opinion, mood, and communication your dog demonstrates, you are honoring the fact that your pup is a being separate from you who has their own needs at any given moment.
Therapy Dogs Supporting Students
As children are home dealing with the stress of COVID-19, one nonprofit is using dogs to calm their nerves.
Founded on the prison dog model, A Fair Shake for Youth has reached over 3,000 middle school youth through partnerships with over 60 schools and community organizations since its founding in 2010.
It helps middle school students build social and emotional skills through a structured hands-on therapy dog program. Following a 10-week curriculum, kids learn dog-handling skills and discuss dog-related topics that often resonate with their own life experience including animal shelters, second chances and breed discrimination. As kids work with the dogs they learn about themselves and each other.
During COVID-19, A Fair Shake has pivoted from in-school programming to now completing seven weeks of online learning and engaging live sessions with therapy dogs. It works with many schools in the south Bronx including Bronx Latin at 800 Home St. The programs include activities and virtual sessions with registered therapy dogs, their volunteer handlers and experienced instructors. “The experience has been so joyful for both the kids and the school staff,” said Taina Benjamin, English as a Second Language (ESL) teacher at the Bronx Latin School. “A lot of the kids have been anxious, but the dogs have really helped calm them and give them something to look forward to. To answer questions about dogs and interact with an animal gives them a different and fun way to interact with content so the kids don’t mind responding and participating. The dogs help us create momentum with the kids.”
As schools closed, the organization created a custom “school portal” in which teachers and social workers access lessons that relate to the dog and volunteer teams. Each of the first six lessons cover a social-emotional learning topic. The lessons are designed to be short, fun and flexible depending on need, technical capabilities and individual student needs.
Lessons include both a one-page teacher’s guide and a one-page student guide. All visitors to the website can visit the “Meet the Dogs” page to learn more about each dog in a social-emotional context. “We recognize that the need for our work is not only vital now as our kids continue to experience loss and ongoing trauma, but will be a necessity as we see the secondary effects of the unprecedented stress and trauma they are experiencing set in,” Hendler said.
Adorable New Recruits
A pair of Golden Retriever Puppies took oath on Monday to serve as therapy dogs for the Hanford Fire Department.
They dressed the part, donning tiny firefighter outfits and hats at Hanford City Hall.
California Service Dog Academy, based in Visalia, provided the dogs to Station Number One.
The non-profit raises, trains, and assigns service dogs to veterans and other agencies.
Last week the puppies visited the fire department to help them get used to the environment.
Pooches Hanging Out On Patios
Pets have been a comfort for many during the ongoing pandemic, helping people to feel less isolated.
So dog owners and fans will be happy to know that as restaurants reopen in Ohio after an approximately two-month shutdown, some area establishments are again welcoming pooches to hang out on their patios and decks.
“You have a cocktail, pet some dogs and become human again,” said Mike Juskiw, who is dogless, at the homey Old 97 Cafe bar/eatery in Akron’s Kenmore neighborhood last Wednesday, the first night of the place’s Paws on the Patio for the season.
“I don’t have time for one, but I come down here and play with them,” said Juskiw, an engineer.
Every Wednesday through Sept. 23, your fur baby is welcome on the patio, an oasis dotted with flowers and shrubs nestled behind the Cafe 97 building at 1503 Kenmore Blvd.
This year, the bar — known for its creative cocktails — marks 10 years under the ownership of Debbie Chapman, who has seen to it that the place — once a trolley stop (hence the Old 97 name) — maintains a vintage vibe.
The brick building was a trolley station until 1947, and became a bar decades ago. Chapman purchased the property — with a long mahogany bar in 2008 — and set about adding to the vintage vibe with old and other items, including wood corbels (brackets) and shelves inside, as well as outside on the patio.
Last week, Chapman had her Welsh corgi, Hemingway, with her for the first Paws on the Patio of the season.
While Wednesday is the official night for dogs, she said they are welcome any day.
“We’ve never had a problem,” she said, echoing owners of other area establishments who also feature doggie evenings. “The dogs are on leashes. We put water dishes out and have some treats.”
And this season, Old 97 — and every other bar and restaurant — must follow mandatory rules allowing them to reopen, including following social distancing protocols that call for 6 feet between parties or barriers if that distance cannot be maintained. Servers and bartenders are required to wear masks.
Eating and drinking establishments were allowed to open for outside operations May 15. They could open for indoor dining and drinking May 21. Some eateries plan to reopen later this month.
It should be noted that the Centers for Disease Control recommends that pets do not interact with people outside the household. This is because there is a small risk that people with COVID-19 could spread the virus to animals.
The CDC also says “there is no evidence that the virus can spread to people from the skin, fur or hair of pets.”
D’Agnese’s on White Pond Italian restaurant, 566 White Pond Drive near Interstate 77 in Akron.
Right now, D’Agnese’s Pooches on the Patio is being offered on Tuesdays. That’s because the eatery, while it gets up to speed after the pandemic shutdown, is not open on Mondays, its traditional night for the doggies.
But Pooches on the Patio remains a premier al fresco doggie-dining experience, featuring a special canine menu. Hours are 3-9 p.m. Tuesdays.
This season, D’Agnese’s outdoor dining — in demand by folks not quite ready to eat inside a restaurant — has been expanded. Now, in addition to the tables on the patio, there are several outside the patio area.
This way, there’s space for people who might not be keen on the dogs to eat outside on Tuesdays, noted chef and co-owner Joe Gallagher.
The doggie menu features treats such as lamb and rice and chicken and vegetables.
“We’ll change it up,” so it won’t always be the same, Gallagher said. “I don’t know if the dogs care that much, but the people enjoy it [the different selections for their pets].”
Again, the pooches can enjoy a savory frozen treat, such as a veal demi-glace popsicle.
Gallagher unleashed the dog event soon after the eatery opened in 2010. He had offered a similar event at the former Bisto in Bath Township.
Gallagher and his wife, Rachel, have an English bulldog named Henrietta, who likely wouldn’t do well at Pooches on the Patio, Joe Gallagher said.
Yappy Hour runs from 5 to 8 p.m. Tuesdays in June through September.
A $10 donation to a local nonprofit animal group gets patrons a glass of wine, beer or soda and the chance to win a prize.
The animal rescue organizations are One of a Kind Pets (first Tuesday of each month), Mercy’s Door Pets (second Tuesday), Maggie’s Mission (third Tuesday) and Humane Society of Akron (fourth Tuesday).
Dogs are only allowed outside the winery. State law doesn’t allow dogs — except for service dogs — inside drinking and eating places.
“This is a safe way to go out and have some fun,” said Winery at Wolf Creek manager Kelcie Erbse, noting that these days some people may feel more comfortable outdoors.
The winery has a lot of outdoor space, she said, with a lot of room for customers to spread out.
On a related note, the winery’s annual Goat Derby (a riff on the Kentucky Derby) will be Sept. 5 — when the derby is set to run this year. Closer to that date, the winery will ask people who plan on coming to sign up at the online Eventbrite site. There is no charge for the Goat Derby, but sign-ups are encouraged for planning purposes.
‒ Twisted Olive, 5430 Massillon Road, Green.
The Italian-American eatery next door to Southgate Park (also dog friendly) has resumed its Pups on the Patio, which runs from 4 p.m. to close Monday to Saturday on the lower level patio throughout the summer.
Nichole Cardinale, spokeswoman for Twisted Olive and sister operation Gervasi Vineyard, said dog owners can take a stroll with their pooch at Southgate or the Ariss dog park in Green and then stop by the eatery with their pet.
Future Service Dogs
Canine For Independence is a nonprofit that provides people with disabilities with highly trained assistance dogs.
Just last week, the organization took to Instagram to highlight some of its awesome work: volunteer pilots flew 29 puppies across the country to their volunteer puppy raisers. The furry animals will become assistance dogs for folks with disabilities.
Although we certainly didn’t need to be reminded of the power of animals in making our lives better, it surely seems like, during this global period of quarantine, companies have tried to spread the love by offering the aid of furry friends in a myriad of activities. Goats and llamas have been making Zoom appearances, adorable furry ones are lifting senior citizens’ spirits via virtual play dates, an English bulldog became our lockdown hero and we can even adopt a pet via Zoom these days!
Of course, Canine Companions for Independence’s work has been praiseworthy since way before we’ve all been trapped at home. But there’s something about this act of cute kindness that resonates even more these days.
Controlling Your Pets
With many more people at home as a result of lockdown restrictions, there has been a sharp increase in people walking their dogs.
While this is good exercise for both dog and owner, there has been an increase in complaints about dogs not being kept under adequate control in public areas.
Complaints about dog fouling have also increased to Pembrokeshire County Council and local Town and Community Councils.
To continue to support each other and our communities, the Dog Control Service is asking all dog owners to act responsibly.
While in public places – particularly those that are well used by the public – dogs should be kept under close control.
That may mean well trained dogs are kept to heel and other more boisterous pets are kept on a lead.
This will help reduce the number of complaints of dogs being attacked by others.
It will also reduce the fear and concern some members of the public have about loose dogs as well as actual incidents of people being injured.
The service would also request that dogs are not permitted to stray unaccompanied as this is adding additional pressure with the dog wardens having to return dogs that have been in the kennels to their owners.
Please also keep a close eye on your dogs at home and ensure that they don’t have the opportunity to escape.
Additionally the service would again request that all dog owners continue to pick up after their pets.
When walking your pet please be mindful of the Welsh Government rules and stay local – defined as within five miles of your home – wherever possible.
Canines For Veterans
In 2015, Petland, Inc. committed to supporting the cost of one dog per year for five years. The average cost to raise and train each service dog is $7,200. This May, in addition to the yearly commitment, Petland company stores initiated a ‘Round Up at the Register’ campaign for Heartland and raised more than $7,000. Petland locations in Dunwoody (GA), Rome (GA), Dalton (GA), Iowa City (IA) and Hillsboro (OH) also contributed.
“Approximately 17 U.S. veterans die by suicide every day, according to the Department of Veterans Affairs. For some, a four-legged companion is the difference between life and death,” said Steve Huggins, Executive Director of Petland Charities. “We are so grateful to have been able to raise these funds during such challenging times.”
“During an unprecedented time in our Country, we are so amazed at the generosity of Petland Charities, Petland stores, and Petland customers,” said Kevin Pruitt, Executive Director of Heartland Canines. “Often these dogs are the first step in the healing process for some veterans. We are made up of veterans, military families, and dedicated military and veteran supporters supporting our motto ‘So They Never Walk Alone.’ Our relationship with Petland not only allows us to place purpose-bred service dogs with veterans in need, but also to continue to spread awareness of veteran suicides.”
Since Heartland Canine’s inception and with the current effort, Petland and Petland Charities have contributed more than $73,000. The mission of Heartland Canines for Veterans is to provide purpose-bred, professionally-trained service dogs to veterans in need. These service dogs are provided to the veteran at NO COST to them; Heartland bears all costs relating to procurement, general and veterinary care, training and equipment during the training and pairing process. The organization was established as an active 501c3 non-profit organization in 2015 and is led by a team of veterans, mental health professionals, veterinary staff and professional pet breeders. Heartland’s Service Dog candidates are donated by members of the Missouri Pet Breeders Association, and must undergo rigorous evaluation trials and screenings before being accepted into the training program. A typical service dog training program lasts about 12-14 months, sometimes longer for specialized individual tasks; the ultimate goal is to assist veterans who suffer from illnesses/injuries such as depressive disorders, anxiety, mobility issues and/or Post-Traumatic Stress. Each veteran candidate also completes a thorough application and selection process, designed to identify individual needs, and our board members work with several affiliate veteran organizations to ensure timely and accurate submissions.
Petland’s and Petland Charities’ national Community Service outreach includes offering support to local police, sheriff and fire departments as well as support for military veteran service dogs. The assistance for protective K9 units is most often a feeding program, supplies or fundraising for specific items, such as bite-suits or training gear. Petland stores currently support more than 200 K-9 units across the country. Support for veteran service dogs often goes towards the costs associated with raising, training and on-going care.
Petland and Petland Charities are also supporters of the Ohio Department of Natural Resources Division of Wildlife Law Enforcement Program K-9 units and the Ohio Rescue Dog Association.
Additionally, Petland supports service and therapy dogs for children through Safari Stan’s Children’s Charities which supports St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital and the Make-A-Wish Foundation.
Service Dog Denied
An East London woman says she was refused entry to the OK MiniMark in Meisies Halt near Gonubie on Saturday because her service dog was not allowed on the premises.
Kayleen Dreyer’s service dog Harley is trained to help her with non-epileptic seizures. The animal is required to be by her side at all times.
Non-epileptic seizure (NES) is most often caused by mental stress or a physical condition.
Dreyer, 19, said it was not the first time she had been turned away from enclosed shopping malls because of her dog, and she was growing tired of it.
She went to the store on Saturday to do some shopping for her business when the security guard at the store told her dogs were not allowed as it was store policy.
She explained to the guard why she needed the dog, but she was still not permitted to enter.
Because she was refusing to leave, the security guard called a manager who, according to Dreyer, also did not allow her in.
“It’s illegal to refuse us entry. Everyone was looking at us. It is frustrating,” she said.
“This problem of stores not having information about the conditions of their customers and not training their staff on what to expect is a big challenge. At least when I explain they should understand because the dog has a collar with all the information and I have documentation to prove it,” she said.
“I am very upset because I have all the documentation. It is as if I don’t live a normal life,” she said.
Dreyer’s mother Bernice told DispatchLIVE her daughter had been diagnosed with her disorder almost a decade ago. Seeing her suffer in stores with little or no information about her condition was stressful.
“Discrimination against my child is unfair. I was not there to help her because her dog was there. People out there are not aware and they don’t want to know. They don’t care,” she said.
A manager at the store, Akhona Adams, said he was not present at the time of the incident but had heard about it.
“We don’t chase customers away. This was reported to our head office. She was offered help but she refused. I don’t really know what happened,” said Adams.
He referred questions to the store’s head office. A person named Tony at head office asked that an e-mail be sent and said he would reply. He had not done so by print deadline on Monday.
