Mail Carriers Ask For Protection
As the U.S. Postal Service continues to provide an essential service during the current crisis, we want to make sure our carriers are safe and out of harm’s way while making their appointed rounds.
To ensure mail carriers’ safety, dog owners must securely lock their dog in another room until a delivery exchange is done. If outside, dogs must be leashed at a distance from the mailbox. Also, please remind children to close doors and gates, making sure dogs are properly “social distancing” from carriers.
When a carrier feels unsafe, mail service could be interrupted, not only for the dog owner, but for the entire neighborhood. When mail service is interrupted, mail must be picked up a Post Office. Service will not be restored until the dog is properly restrained.
Dog attacks and bites are 100 percent preventable when dog owners remain vigilant and properly restrain their dogs. With your help, we can keep our hero carriers, your neighbors and your dogs safe.
Thank you for protecting your pet and our mail carriers as we continue to bring packages and correspondence to your door each day.
Award For Therapy Whippet Of The Year
Klamath Falls duo Kelsea Cooper and her 9 year-old whippet Titan have gone on about 900 to 1,000 therapy visits to elder care facilities, hospice bereavement facilities and Oregon Institute for Technology in Titan’s 7 years as a certified therapy dog and touched countless lives therein.
The majority of their visits nowadays are to memory care and elder care facilities where Titan has had a particular impact on the residents, many of whom suffer from illnesses like Alzheimer’s and dementia.
The testaments to the effect he’s had on those he spends time with and the consistency of his company for those who need the stress relief earned Titan the America Whippet Club’s Willow Award for therapy dog of the year announced on April 12.
Cooper has nominated her boy before and wrote to the AWC stories of the ways in which senior citizens light up when Titan comes to visit and the ways seniors in college ensure they say goodbye to Titan before graduating from Oregon Tech.
While long term care facilities like those Titan visits have been closed to visitors to protect residents from COVID-19, Cooper and Titan still found a way to see their friends. After about two months of no visits, last Thursday the pair FaceTimed with a memory care facility. Even though it’s normally hit or miss when it comes to if those they visit at the memory care facility will recognize Titan, Thursday was different, Cooper said. Everyone they talked to remembered Titan and seemed excited to see him, even if they couldn’t pet him.
“That just shows how much of an impact we make,” she said.
Copper plans to video chat again Thursday to keep some consistency in the lives of those they visit and to continue contact in a time where visitors aren’t allowed.
Cooper has also sent them pictures of Titan and, most recently, a poster of him that says “We miss you.” She said that when she dropped the poster off at the door, Titan stared at the door, and Cooper could tell he wanted to go in.
Although Cooper has had award-winning Whippets all her life, from show dogs to agility competitors, Titan is her first therapy Whippet and her first dog to win an award for that work. Still, she said their nearly 1,000 visits haven’t been for the sake of recognition.
“It’s nice to show people that there’s more to life than awards, and you can make a difference with your dog,” she said.
She said the feeling of winning the award pales in comparison to the feeling she gets when making a difference in people’s lives.
The American Whippet Club shares the nomination stories of the dogs nominated for the Willow Award online, and Cooper said that, in sharing their story, she hopes they inspire others to take on therapy work with their dogs. She said she has been motivated to nominate Titan for the award so that she can share his story, and she feels the other owners also share their stories to inspire others, with the award as a perk.
As this year’s Willow Award winner, Titan’s name will be engraved on a bronze trophy of a Whippet that normally is displayed at each National Specialty event.
Titan and Cooper’s last therapy visit before facilities began closing due to the coronavirus was the Pet-a-pup event at Oregon Tech where they spend the day each quarter at the student union so students can come by and release some stress by giving Titan some love during finals week. Cooper said it was the day after they visited Oregon Tech that the Oregon Health Authority restricted visitors at long-term care facilities.
The annual National Specialty for the American Whippet Club, where awards are typically announced, was canceled due to COVID-19, but the AWC announced award winners on Facebook Live during the time the event would’ve taken place.
Although the banquet was canceled, Cooper said the next time she was out she got Titan a treat from Dutch Bros Coffee where, normally, after their visits they stop by and Titan gets whipped cream on a straw. She said the people at Dutch Bros know her and always ask if Titan is with her. This time she brought some whipped cream back from there so Titan could celebrate.
Cooper said Titan can’t wait to get back to his visits when it’s safe again, and he’s been asking for more pets from Cooper and her husband due to the shortage of love from those he comforts.
Cooper said they continue to do therapy visits because she can tell Titan loves it.
Surprise Visit From Therapy Dogs
Caregivers at Intermountain Medical Center got a surprise visit from some animal friends as they continued to work on the frontlines of the COVID-19 pandemic.
Intermountain Therapy Animals visited the hospital on Thursday to say thank you, give staff members a break and help relieve a little bit of stress, officials said.
Therapy dogs are normally a common site around the hospital throughout the year. But due to COVID-19 visitor restrictions, they have not been able to do their usual visits.
The visits were part of caregiver appreciation week, which health officials said was happening at Intermountain facilities statewide.
Handlers and staff wore masks and sanitized their hands before and after petting the dogs.
Service Dog At Traffic Stop
A deputy with the York County Sheriff’s Office conducted a traffic stop on a pickup pulling a fifth-wheel camper on Interstate 80 near mile marker 348. The vehicle was stopped for committing a traffic violation in the area. The deputy identified the occupants of the vehicle as James Bailey of Anderson, California and Jamie Bowman of Redding, California. While speaking with the occupants of the vehicle, the deputy observed numerous indicators that criminal activity was afoot.
The deputy asked the occupants for consent to search the vehicle and camper and was denied consent to do so. The deputy deployed his Police Service Dog, “Loki” on the vehicle. Police Service Dog “Loki” alerted and indicated to the odor of controlled substances emitting from the rear of the camper. A subsequent search of the camper yielded approximately 705 pounds of marijuana. Both occupants of the vehicle were arrested for multiple charges relating to the trafficking of narcotics.
Woman Forced To Leave Due To Service Dog
DeShawndra Winters waited two long years to find the right dog.
One that not only would be a good companion, but one that could save her life.
“You can’t look at me and tell my disability, but if you were to look at my MRI, you would see that I am missing two parts of the brain. I had two brain surgeries. That I have epilepsy and he is here to respond for when I have a seizure,” said service dog owner DeShawndra Winters.
The 2-year-old black labrador goes everywhere with Winters — often by bus, lift service. But with those services shut down due to COVID-19, Winters said she thought she had found another way to get around.
“I just really wanted a bike and a trailer to put my service dog in, and that’s when this incident happened,” she said.
The incident Winters is referring to took place at the Chicky and Chippie, a vacuum and bicycle shop in Saginaw Township.
“As soon as I come in, at this point I don’t know this is the owner. He tells me I have to get out with the dog and I says it’s my service dog. He says I don’t care, get out, take the dog out,” she said.
Winters said she went outside and called police. She said when the officer arrived, he sided with the owner.
“I keep telling him my rights. He ignores it, and then I was trying to get the police officer to give me his badge number and make a police report. The police officer gets in the car and pulls off,” Winters said.
“We often times assist our clients with discrimination issues with store owners and we really just want to educate them more than anything. Most of the time that education is received very well. But I’m very surprised when the officer did not understand federal law and did not enforce that law,” said PAWS, Becky Canale.
ABC12 paid a visit to the owner of Chicky and Chippie.
The owner said he believed Winter’s service dog was not allowed in the store due to COVID-19. He also said he was unaware of American with Disabilties Act law of 1990.
He also said he called to apologize to Winters and PAWS for his mistake.
Saginaw Township Police Lt. Scott Malice told us a police report was filed and turned over to the Saginaw County Prosecutor’s Office. Malice also said they are also looking in Winter’s claims about her interaction with the officer.
In the meantime, Winters is still hoping to find a bike and lift for her and Nike.
Service Dog Changed Mans Life
Neil Jowitt, 58, was told he had multiple sclerosis (MS) in 2012 after going into hospital for an MRI scan on a back problem.
When told the news, he said he felt like the ‘walls were closing in’, however he resolved to make the most of the situation and has decided to tick off several items from his bucket list, including a trip to the USA.
Neil said: “I decided after the diagnosis I wanted to tick a few things off my bucket list, including a coast to coast trip in America on a Harley Davidson.”
Soon after Neil returned from the USA he started to develop full blown symptoms of MS.
He said when he sold off his bike, his son was ‘devastated’ as the pair enjoyed long trips out riding during the English summer.
As the illness began to progress, he had to take a backseat to his families activities, swapping adventure for time spend in coffee shops reading.
He said: “Mentally as well as physically, my world was changing and the walls were starting to close in on me.
He said his colleagues and family helped him feel as though things would be okay.
He said: “I found myself staying in the office and not going out at lunchtime. I felt really embarrassed on my scooter and people on the street would avoid and ignore me and it wasn’t at all pleasant.”
Neil was, understandably, grieving for the life he had lost.
They discussed getting a pet dog and looked into rehoming one from a local charity.
It was then that he discovered Dogs for Good, a charity that trains assistance dogs for people with disabilities.
Neil registered his interest with Dogs for Good in 2016 and waited for three years until the charity was able to invite him to an Information Day in February 2019.
Neil said: “Dogs for Good received literally thousands of enquiries every year from people like me who would like an assistance dog, so it was really quite humbling to receive a call to tell me that we were through – once the right dog was available, we’d be matched. All we had to do was wait.”
In October 2019, Neil eventually received the phone call he’d been waiting for, as the family were introduced to a black labrador named Sage.
Neil said: “Right from the moment she wagged her way across the office, the walls that had been closing in started to recede.
A home visited completed the assessment and thankfully it all went well.
Neil described the experience as ‘magical’, and said he could instantly see how Sage would ‘open up his world again’.
Six months on and Sage and Neil are now a closely-bonded partnership. Jen worked with them both every day for a number of weeks to ensure that they both understood each other and how to get the best out of the partnership.
He admitted it was hard work but said that the rewards had transformed his life.
Sage now helps Neil with the task work she’s been specially trained to do such as picking up items he’s dropped, helping him on and off with items of clothing, bringing him his sticks, opening doors for him and also putting down the footplates on his wheelchair.
With Sage at his side, Neil no longer feels embarrassed on his scooter and every lunchtime, they go out together.
During the current coronavirus pandemic, Neil has been told to stay at home because his immune system is severely compromised as a result of a new drug he’s been taking since January. “
I absolutely can’t afford to get Covid-19,” said Neil.
“But because we’re fortunate enough to live somewhere that’s quite remote, we can get out but above all else, we’re lucky enough to have Sage, who opens up the doors, even in lockdown.”
Joy, The Police Dog
There’s a new, fresh and even panting face among the Cornwall Police Service (CPS) roster — Joy, a five-year old service dog.
The female chocolate Labrador and bernese mix is the CPS’ first accredited Facility Dog and has received training through National Service Dogs since she was a puppy. Joy began working with the CPS back in August, through a partnership with Victim Services of SDG&A and Koala Place.
Since her first day on the job, the canine has used her extensive training to provide physical, social and emotional healing for individuals and families that undergo any form of stress or trauma.
“Joy is used to bring a sense of calmness and comfort to victims or witnesses of crime,” said Danielle Lauzon, property and exhibit manager as well as quartermaster for the CPS. “She helps alleviate some of the discomfort when having to speak to a police officer about a traumatic or unfortunate circumstance.”
The dog has assisted with several witnesses and victims of crime. She additionally has provided a calm approach to those who are extremely upset and has acted as a bridge of communication with people who have difficulty communicating their story, including children and individuals with disabilities.
A Facility Dog is oftentimes used as an effective icebreaker for difficult conversations, providing a calming influence to those who may be anxious or emotional, and helping to normalize a traumatic situation with the soothing presence of a canine companion. The Facility Dog may spend time sitting quietly alongside a child or youth as they disclose traumatic events.
In announcing the addition of their first Facility Dog, the CPS also recently asked Cornwall children aged 12 and under to come up with their best idea to spread joy and kindness.
Animal Rescue Produces Fundraiser
As COVID-19 creates a new normal throughout the United States, a Florida animal shelter puts a new spin on fundraising to keep their doors open, operations alive, and save animals’ lives in the process.
Located in the panhandle of Florida, Alaqua Animal Refuge is a private, non-profit (501c3) animal shelter and sanctuary committed to serving the Southeast as the premier no-kill refuge providing protection, shelter, and care to animals in need; a full-service animal adoption center; and a peaceful, proactive animal welfare advocate. In fact, Alaqua has become the “go-to” organization to help animals, and grown to be a nationally, recognized leader in animal rescue, welfare, cruelty prevention, and advocacy across the country.
Alaqua not only rescues dogs and cats, but all domestic animals in need—including horses, farm animals, and birds. The animals come from mostly cruelty and neglect cases, but also from overloaded shelters in the Southeast. From purebreds to special needs, these animals have all found shelter, safety, and second chances Alaqua until they find a permanent home or sanctuary.
Alaqua operates solely on funds that are raised through private donations, fundraising, and grants. These endeavors provide crucial funding for their entire yearly operation and most of them have come to a complete halt with the country’s shutdown from the spread of the coronavirus. Two major fundraisers were canceled this past Spring which was a devastating blow to Alaqua’s bottom-line to be able to meet the needs of animals in their care and keep the Refuge functional—including its day-to-operations and provision of services and programs to continue its mission.
“As animal shelters and veterinary offices are operating on limited intake, the need for our services are even greater today than they were prior to the shutdown. It is honestly unbelievable the need we are seeing from our surrounding communities and state,” said Alaqua Founder Laurie Hood. “Cruelty and abuse cases are at an all-time high and we had to figure out a way to help. It’s just what we do.”
To supplement the loss of funds from fundraising events and to provide a bridge gap until things could get back to semi-normal state, Alaqua created “Rescue Me,” a very unique type of virtual event that includes an Online Live Webcast that will run simultaneously with an Online Auction, containing curated items donated before Alaqua’s events were canceled. The event also salutes Alaqua’s supporters, sponsors, volunteers, and friends.
The show is also filled with supporters and incredible stories of animal rescues from the Refuge with appearances by favorite Alaqua alums and friends. It is a truly not-to-miss-event, and can be viewed via a computer, tablet, or mobile phone.
The Online Auction portion of the Rescue Me event begins Thursday, May 14 at 2 pm through May 17 at 6 pm. Upon registration, guests will be able preview over 70 items up for bidding, including original artwork, travel / trips, restaurant gift cards, art classes, golf, beauty packages, exquisite jewelry, wine dinners, event tickets, shopping sprees, and special bottles of wine.
“I can’t believe how fast this show came together. And I’m so thankful for all the incredible, and I mean awesome, guests that are joining us – from our local friends to national supporters that believe in what we do,” said Hood. “I’m so excited, but at a loss for words to express my gratitude. To the producers and everyone involved…I just feel blessed.”
County Launches First K9 Unit
The Jackson County Sheriff’s Department is creating its first K9 Unit thanks to a federal grant.
The sheriff approached Sgt. Ben Rudolph about submitting a proposal for a Department of Homeland Security SHSP grant, which is a terrorism-based grant, in order to develop a K9 Unit. Jackson County was awarded a grant for roughly $25,500 to cover the cost of a dog, the necessary training and equipment. Rudolph said after doing research for the proposal he requested to be part of the team, and the sheriff assigned him the position. “It’s something I’ve never done before, something that the department has never done before,” Rudolph said. “So I’m honored to be able to be part of that.”
It’s been a lengthy process, but 15-month-old Nyx recently arrived to Jackson County.
“Nyx is really, really good,” Rudolph said. “This is awesome, definitely a new chapter. We’re just hoping that we together as a team can be a positive impact in the community.”
Right now, Nyx and Rudolph are getting to know each other and building a connection. Then the official eight-week training program will start on June 1.
“It’s going to be an intense training process, and it’s going to be hard for both of them,” said Glenn Jackson, the owner of Police Service Dog Consulting.
Jackson was a K9 officer with the Jeffersonville Police Department for decades, and now he contracts with local police departments to help build their K9 Units. The Jackson County Sheriff’s Department has contracted Jackson for Nyx’s training.
“Her primary purpose is to locate,” Jackson said. “Narcotics, evidence that’s been dropped, lost people, criminals that have ran from us, building searches.”
Jackson said police dogs are not trained to bite or attack people out of aggression. While they can and will bite, Jackson said, it’s in response to a person’s aggressive actions.
And so far, Nyx shows good characteristics to be a successful police dog.
“In the selection process for Nyx, one of the things that attracted me most to her — which I’m looking for in any police dog — is her what we call hunt drive,” Jackson said. “Her drive to hunt for things.”
He added that a K9 Unit can be very effective for community outreach, building trust in the community and making children feel comfortable during stressful situations.
“It’s going to be exciting for the community,” Jackson said. “She came as a grant, but this is the community’s dog. Jackson County, this is your dog.”
Nyx and Rudolph should complete their training by the end of July. Then, Nyx will be on duty from noon to midnight when Rudolph is scheduled to work, and the duo will be prepared to respond when called out outside of their regular shift.
Festival Goes Virtual
Colorado Animal Rescue is currently hosting a virtual film festival that is going to the dogs. The Bow Wow Film Festival has since 2015 played for a single evening at the Crystal Theater in Carbondale. But this year, due to Coronavirus, the festival has gone virtual, allowing viewers to experience it online anytime from now through May 22.
The festival is a 90-minute program that celebrates, educates and inspires all things dog — through the art of short film.
Bow Wow Film Festival works in partnership with animal welfare organizations, such as pet food pantries, humane societies and service dog organizations, to raise money and awareness. Locally, the film festival benefits Colorado Animal Rescue in their mission to practice “excellence in animal care, education, and advocacy to connect pets to their people.”
Bow Wow films are made by filmmakers who are storytellers, animators and artists of award-winning, funny, and poignant shorts, according to a news release by the organization.
Erin Galbreath of Colorado Animal Rescues said the films are very fun, and some of them are inspirational.
“My favorite film was in black and white and it was almost like a satire,” she said. “It’s about a dog who hunts bagels on the beach, and the bagels were like animals themselves, and then they reproduced and had cheerios.”
