Dog Park For Travelers

St. Petersburg is widely recognized as a dog-friendly city, and St. Pete-Clearwater International Airport is making sure its four-legged visitors and their humans feel welcome by rolling out the artificial turf carpet.

With the completion of the airport’s parking and roadway project – part of a series of multi-million dollar improvements at the airport over the past year – PIE has opened a brand-new “bark park” where guests and their dogs can frolic in a fenced area with anti-microbial turf, benches and hydration stations. And in case you left yours at home, they’ve got dog waste bags available, too.

While the bark parks are new to the airport, its relationship with the canine community is not. About a year and a half ago, the airport began hosting dogs as part of its PIE PUPS (Pets Uplifting People) program, according to airport spokesperson Michele Routh. Organized by Project PUP, a certified therapy dog program, PIE PUPS spend time with passengers before their flights, which can help ease the stress and anxiety some people experience during air travel. All the dogs in the program have been therapy dogs for at least two years and also visit other sites including schools and hospitals.

“It’s been very well received,” Routh said of the program. “I’ve received some incredible customer feedback.”

PIE PUPS aren’t the only dogs that can be found at the airport. PIE has worked with the Southeastern Guide Dog Association for a number of years to help families who are training guide dogs. The dogs – and their humans – are periodically invited to the airport to take tours and go through TSA screening. Allegiant flight crews then invite the dogs on board so they can get the experience of being on a plane, something they could end up doing with their owners once they start their official guide dog careers.

Southeastern Guide Dogs worked with airport staff on the bark park project, which Suzy Wilburn, director of admissions and alumni support for the organization called a “wonderful experience” that will help improve accommodations for those traveling with a service dog.

“Their focus on accessibility, safety and attention to detail is top-notch and should be recognized,” she said of the airport.

In non-dog related news, September passenger traffic at the airport is down 37 percent from the same time last year, marking PIE’s lowest monthly decrease since the pandemic began. Overall, 2020 year-to-date passenger loads are down 35 percent. At the August ribbon cutting of an outpost of the popular Mazarro’s Italian Market located in the area outside gates 7 through 11, airport director Tom Jewsbury said PIE has been able to retain 53 out of its 56 nonstop destinations.

“We’re actually doing quite well,” Jewsbury said.

Service Dog Helps Firefighters

Firefighters battling the Archie Creek and Thielsen fires have had some long, exhausting days.

But for some, their troubles seemed to melt away once they got back to camp.

Why?

Meet Ralph Colombo. He hauls oversize loads.

And joining Ralph is his service dog, Cowboy – the morale boosting, firefighting puppy.

“He just keeps my life together, helps keep it together, and why not share? And the firefighters, you should see the smiles,” says Colombo.

Cowboy is a three and a half month old Labrador retriever.

As Colombo’s service dog, they go everywhere together.

So when Colombo started working on the fires in Douglas County, naturally Cowboy came with him.

And the firefighters are happier for it.

“One of the leaders says he hasn’t seen this high of morale on any fire, and he’s been doing it 40 years,” Colombo says.

Besides the cuteness, one thing you’ll notice about Cowboy is his bandanna made of Nomex.

“[I] made him a bandanna so that he can wear his Nomex up on the fire line,” Colombo explains, “because everyone’s got to wear Nomex. And a fella from South Carolina, he said you ought to have everyone put their state initials on there. So we’re up to about 16 in three days.”

He has signatures from Alaska to Kentucky, Florida and beyond.

Cowboy has become a bit of an internet sensation.

He has over 48,000 views on Facebook.

And sometimes his fame precedes him.

“All the firefighters know Cowboy,” says Colombo. “They have no idea what my name is. I’m the guy with Cowboy; that’s all there is to it.

Unfortunately, Cowboy and Colombo are heading back home soon, so the firefighters are sad to see them go.

But they’ll never forget the puppy who kept their spirits high when times were tough.

Pet Therapy Program

Saturday, October 10 is World Mental Health Day, which this year has a new sense of urgency for many. Covid-19 has taken a mental and emotional toll on healthcare workers across the U.S but there is a program boosting the spirits of doctors and nurses on the frontlines.

At UC Irvine Medical Center in Southern California, therapy dogs Dexter and Monet have an important mission, to bring smiles and comfort to healthcare workers. The dogs are part of the hospital’s volunteer pet therapy program, visiting employees once a month.

Brad Giafaglione oversees the program and says it’s more crucial than ever.

“We really needed a way to decompress and destress our staff. We thought to ourselves, if it works well for the patients, why wouldn’t it work well for our staff,” he says.

Healthcare workers are vulnerable to burnout from their high stress jobs.

Recent international studies show during the pandemic, some workers are reporting high rates of depression, anxiety, insomnia, and PTSD. A recent global survey from KPMG found 59% of healthcare workers said their mental health had worsened due to the pandemic, that’s compared to 51% in industries outside of healthcare.

“This is a new pandemic and new front that we’re all facing,” says ICU nurse Brian Cruz, who cares for critically ill COVID patients. He says the pressure of the crisis has been tremendous. But thanks to the cuddly canines in the pet therapy program, that stress slips away for a little.

“Seeing him happy, the energy transfers over to me, and I feel calm,” Cruz says. Cruz says he has felt periods of depression and sadness, but the dogs help him through them.

For Cruz, the furry faces and belly rubs are the perfect prescription.

“This is natural happiness and joy from a creature to a creature, and that will help me give that joy and happiness to my patients when I return to work,” he says.

A Service Dogs Place

A new Pineville nonprofit that helps people with disabilities obtain service dogs has made its first match.

The Saber Life Foundation was started in March by Danea Key and her husband Joel. They provide people with trained service dogs, paying 51 percent of the cost, with the client paying the other 49 percent. Service dogs can be very expensive, with their training costing up to $25,000 to $30,000 and the dogs themselves costing $3,000 to $5,000.

Danea said they have received several grants and had several fundraisers, as well as going to events where they sell dog treats. Clients fill out an application and then go on a waiting list, she said. The trainer they use is Tim Franks of On Command Canine Training Academy in Joplin. Caden Ogden, 19, of Carl Junction, was certified with his service dog, Thorn, on Oct. 2, making him the nonprofit’s first match.

Caden’s mother, Rona Ogden, said before they got Thorn, “(Caden) didn’t really go out in public much. He very much stayed in his room and didn’t come out. He didn’t have really a life at all. Severe anxiety. PTSD. No friends. When he did have to go out in public it was very, very hard for him just to walk into a store. Just to go into a store and pay for a gallon of milk was a big feat for him, especially if the store was busy. If it wasn’t for him living at home, he probably would have just gone without.”

The family has had Thorn for two months.

“He’s a completely different kid,” Rona said. “He’s able to go into a store; he’s even went into a store by himself. He’s started applying for jobs on his own. He’s started talking to people. I’m excited by the idea he’s going to make friends soon. His personality is starting to change for the better. It’s amazing to watch him blossom every day. It’s incredible to see what he can do right now. And I have very high hopes for where we’re going to go with this. For the first time, I see him living on his own and being safe. I see him having friends and having a life just like you and me. My only regret is we didn’t find Thorn sooner in Caden’s life.

She went on, “He didn’t believe he had any rights before, and now he’s starting to stand up for his rights and advocate for himself. He’s confident and he’s starting to see himself as an adult. He wants to go vote this year. He was afraid to go vote before because there were too many people. Now he’s excited to go vote.

“He’s starting to talk about a future for himself and, before, he couldn’t see a future for himself. I’ve always been proud of my son, but the obstacles he’s been overcoming in a short time — I wish every person with a disability could have a dog like Thorn. It would change their life.”

Rona added she has worked in the disability community off and on for the past 23 years, and Thorn has made a greater difference than any medication or therapy she has seen.

“The Saber Foundation, those people are God-sent angels walking this earth. They are the most amazing people and loving and kind. I can’t say enough about the Saber Foundation,” she said.

She said before the family knew about the Saber Life Foundation, they got a service dog and started training it for Caden, but the dog had an accident and died.

“Without the Saber Foundation, we never would have had the ability to get a service dog again. Because we put everything into (the first dog). They gave us hope. It just happened so quick and it was amazing to watch it. Without them, we could have never got (Thorn) because service dogs are very expensive.”

Danea said the idea for the nonprofit started after the Key family got their daughter, Gracie, her first service dog, Saber. Gracie suffered from anxiety and other issues and knew she needed a service dog for a few years before she was able to get one. Gracie is now a sophomore at McDonald County High School, and she has just been certified as a team with her service dog, Amos.

“We got started with Saber, but now she has Amos; that’s a whole other story,” Danea said. “Saber was not able to certify because there were some things he was panicky about like wheelchairs and crutches. The trainer didn’t feel really good about that. About a month ago she got Amos and the trainer got Saber a different job. We felt he still needed to be able to work because he is a working dog, so he is working with another man.”

Since Gracie got a service dog, she is a “totally different child than she ever was,” Danea said.

“She can walk through a store by herself without being close to Mom and Dad. She has so much more confidence in herself. She’s gone off over half of her medications. Amos picked up where Saber left off. She’s able to focus more. The biggest thing is her confidence. Not having to worry about her anxiety being what it was. She’s a lot more outgoing and making friends and keeping friends,” she said.

Danea added when the family got close to having Saber’s training paid off, they decided to start the nonprofit because they knew other people who needed service dogs.

“It’s been a lot of fun,” she said. “We’ve met a lot of people. Being a nonprofit has opened up a lot of doors to a lot of opportunities to a lot more than we were able to do before. We have an amazing board. They want to help everyone they can. It’s a vision coming to life that’s reality now. It’s been quite amazing, that’s for sure.”

She added, “These dogs aren’t a want; they’re a need. It’s educating and advocating about these dogs. The transition that Gracie has had in the past year speaks for itself.”

Dog Beating Cancer

A little over a year after a local dog was given only a few months to live after being diagnosed with bone cancer, she is still in remission and will be celebrated her twelfth birthday this month.

Cocoa has been with her owner, Bucyrus resident Christie Auck, since she was nine-weeks-old.

“On Aug. 18, 2019, Cocoa was diagnosed with bone cancer that had already metastasized to her lungs,” Auck said.

A trip Auck made to her chiropractor led to the new type of therapy that saved her dog’s life.

“It was definitely a God-thing of how I happened,” Auck said. “The doctor told me about Transfer Factor in immunotherapy supplement that has worked on people and dogs and gave me contact information for a nearby vet that offers it.”

Auck immediately made an appointment with the recommended vet for Cocoa and now credits the all-natural integrated cancer treatment Cocoa received at Tiffin Animal Hospital from Dr. Bob McClung in saving her beloved dog’s life.

McClung, who became a veterinarian 44 years ago, used immunotherapy on Cocoa along with high doses of Vitamin C intravenously and ozone therapy.

“As treatment progressed, the cancer in Cocoa’s lungs completely went away. Each month, an x-ray revealed her affected leg was re-calcifying and the bone was healing. Some initial swelling occurred as her body attacked the cancer cells and caused healthy inflammation. There was some concern after about seven months when we observed a  fibrous growth on a different part of her same leg. However, now after a year has passed, even that is now almost gone,” said Auck.

She said after one year of treatment, Dr. McClung was pleased Cocoa’s progress.

“He had last determined her cancer was under control, and very localized, and we would treat it as a chronic condition as a small bump was still present on her leg. Cocoa had arthritis before her cancer diagnosis and that has become her nemesis this past year,” Auck said. “We have learned to focus her NSAID treatment during changes in weather to help prevent colitis caused by an accumulation of long term use of her NSAID.  She has had a few bouts of colitis, but has maintained her appetite and mobility and frisky attitude.”

Auck said Cocoa enjoys her walks to Cooper’s Mill and around the block to watch squirrels, trips to the reservoirs and to the park along with an occasional drive-thru treat.

“She is just a bit slower and has learned that she will be sore if she chases any critters. She loves her squeaky stuffed squirrels and she has been spoiled with literally dozens of them as her siblings tend to steal them when she’s asleep,” said Auck with a laugh.

She said Cocoa’s coat is soft and shiny and she has maintained her weight around 70 pounds. “Cocoa continues to be very vocal, letting me know when she wants something. She is still considered the “alpha female” of our pack of nine,” said Auck.

Auck said Dr. McClung has been extremely supportive and continues to share new research and breakthroughs for animal treatment as well as “on the human side”.

“He has been conscientious of cost and has provided many options for cancer treatment from the sonar waves and vitamin C infusion to ozone therapy and an assortment of professional immunotherapy products featuring transfer factors and medicinal mushrooms among other all-natural ingredients,” said Auck. “I found a  immunotherapy product with transfer factors on Amazon from “4Life” for humans.  Cocoa only had few weeks of intense therapy with the sonar waves and Vitamin C infusions and ozone therapy, and now we have just continued with her vitamins C and D, high-quality CBD oil called Canine Canna-Pet, and the Professional Immune Tabs produced by Raemaker Nutrition that has trained her immune system to attack only cancer cells.”

Auck said she also makes a special yogurt for Cocoa and that last month Dr. McClung gave her the green light to slowly cut back on Cocoa’s I-Tabs by slowly eliminating one at a time to get her on a maintenance dose that has provided continued results at less cost.

“He has had me measure her leg with a tape measure every week noting any changes since our journey began. I do a quick gum check for pinkness and make sure her back is flat without any humping on a regular basis,” Auck said. “The goal is to get her to two consecutive days a week of the I-Tabs and maintain the cancer in a small area if at all.”

Coco’s next milestone will be on Oct. 26, a birthday of sorts, as it will be exactly 12 years since Auck got her as a nine-week-old puppy. “Even today, she continues to help me cope with life’s challenges. I can’t help but think that God has used her to give me resiliency during this very difficult year.  While I have tried to be optimistic that this all-natural treatment would extend her life past the initial four to five months prognosis, I am amazed she is still trying to keep track of me,” Auck said. “Of all the dogs we have had, she has been the most attentive to me. Her paws are the ones I see pushing under the bathroom door!”

Service Dog Month Ending

September was designated as National Service Dog Month, and one Berks County native is working hard to ensure that the public is informed about what that means.

Susan Focht owns and operates Dogs In Service Project, a nonprofit that teaches individuals about the different types of Assistance Dogs, laws surrounding Assistance Dog ownership, and provides advice to people with disabilities looking for an Assistance Dog.

Focht also helps individuals assess which type of Assistance Dog is best for their particular needs. Dogs In Service is named after three of Focht’s own dogs that helped her over the years: Daisy, Isabella, and Shadow.

According to Focht, there are three main types of Assistance Dogs: Service Dogs, Emotional Support Dogs, and Therapy Dogs. Different laws apply to each different type of dog–for example, a Service Dog is legally allowed to go everywhere that their owner goes, whereas both Emotional Support Dogs and Therapy Dogs have different restrictions.

In addition, if a Service Dog is harassed or harmed by either humans or other animals, that can result in a hefty fine for the perpetrators.

Focht’s passion for working with Service Dogs and educating the public about them began in the 90’s when she was in high school. As a teenager who struggled with focus issues and possible autism, her German Shepherd, Daisy, helped her focus on her schoolwork by providing comfort, and even helping her find her place in a textbook if she got lost.

Focht also mentioned her dog Isabella, who was a “glorified Emotional Support Dog” with an uncanny ability to detect her sister’s pregnancies, miscarriage, and even cancer, and Shadow, who assisted her recovery from a debilitating car accident in 1999. Focht works hard to teach the public the difference between types of Assistance Dogs so that their owners can understand their (and their dogs) rights. “When you see a dog with a vest on, respect their space,” said Focht, noting that certain Assistance Dogs wear a badge on their vest detailing whether or not they can be approached by strangers.

Fundraiser For Canine Group

Sergeant Tom Cronenwett of the Mount Gilead Police Department has a fondness for canines, specifically service dogs.

A drive-thru style spaghetti dinner is planned as a fundraiser to benefit both the Central Ohio Canine Foundation and Kevin Farrell and training for his aspiring service dog, Duncan.

“I’m a trainer with Black Paw Canine and Ben Brockway told me, ‘Hey, this guy needs some help for training for a service dog,’ so we got involved.”

The Central Ohio Canine Foundation encompasses nine counties.

The meal will be 5-7 p.m. on Saturday, Oct. 24 at the Mount Gilead Fire Department. It includes spaghetti with meat or no meat, bread and a cookie. Suggested donation is $15.

“We’re hoping for a good turnout. It will be after the Buckeyes game; people can drive up and get a meal,” he said.

Cronenwett went to a golf outing recently with Kevin and Duncan.

“He invited us to come down. We had a hole set up and sold shirts. We had the dog with us. I wanted to see how he interacted, his traits as a service dog. He did a great job at nine months old.”

Farrell is a disabled U.S. Army veteran who resides in the suburban Columbus area.

His military story began in 1982 and he was stationed in Germany for a while before being discharged. He later moved to Ohio for work.

“I began to encounter balance and hearing problems, but blamed it on old age. Then I fell down some stairs at work,” he recalled.

A friend convinced him to go to the VA hospital in March of 2015. The news wasn’t good: He had a peach-sized brain tumor that was probably growing for the past six to 10 years.

What followed were three surgeries at The Ohio State University Medical Center and a battle with meningitis.

“With the removal of the tumor, I have lost my hearing and balance on my right side,” Farrell said.

He continues to struggle with headaches and seizures.

Last April, Duncan joined the Farrell family. They sought training for the beagle as a service dog through Black Paw Canine.

“He’s learning how to heel, walk and go places with me,” Farrell said. “Most importantly, Duncan is learning to sense my migraines from my tumor and episodes of PTSD.”

When that happens, he lies down and Duncan lies down next to him, providing comfort until they pass.

“By Duncan being with me, I have noticed a drop in the length of my headaches,” he said.

Farrell said he is thankful for the help provided by Black Paw Canine and Team RWB Columbus.

“I am looking forward for Duncan to become a service dog.” he said.

Cronenwett thinks the beagle and veteran make a good match.

“Duncan is going to be a great fit. People who know Kevin said it’s made such a big difference in Kevin’s life. We are already seeing results. That’s not uncommon with dogs and vets. These dogs can make a difference in day-to-day living for them,” he said.

“They recognize things that trigger emotions in our vets. They learn their emotions. Kevin has come a long way and Duncan will make a big difference in his life.”

Service Dog Organization

In 1962 when Marybeth Hearn was 10 years old, she convinced her parents to let her volunteer to raise a puppy for the California-based nonprofit Guide Dogs for the Blind. She wasn’t sure what to expect when they brought home a black Labrador Retriever named Lepta, but she knew one thing for certain.

“I do remember my dad constantly reminding me that the puppy wasn’t mine and that we just had temporary custody of it,” she says. “You know from the beginning that you’re not going to be able to keep that puppy, that they’ve got another purpose in life.”

Though it was hard to relinquish Lepta when it was time for her advanced training, Hearn had found her life’s passion. She’s currently raising a yellow Labrador Retriever named Barley—the 55th dog she’s raised for Guide Dogs for the Blind.

Needless to say, she now knows exactly what to expect.

“You take that goofy little puppy when they’re about 8 weeks of age and keep them about 14 to 16 months usually,” she says. “Then you see them graduate and become somebody’s eyes. It’s just absolutely amazing.”

So what does it take to raise a successful guide dog from puppyhood to graduation?

The first step is, of course, getting the dog—either picking it up in person from the organization’s headquarters in San Rafael, California, or gathering with other puppy raisers to meet a “puppy truck” that drops off pups at a predetermined location. Puppy raisers don’t know the name of the puppy they’ll raise, just the first letter of the dogs in the litter and the breed—typically a Labrador Retriever or Golden Retriever.

“There’s always a lot of guessing that goes on before we get them of what the name might possibly be, which is kind of cool,” she says with a laugh. “It’s a little game that all puppy raisers play.”

Meeting a new puppy is joyful and involves a lot of cuddles to promote bonding, particularly in the first two weeks together. They often cry while spending the first night away from their litter, so the raisers help them through it.

Training starts immediately. Raisers teach the pups their names and the word nice, which they say whenever the dog presents good behavior.

For instance, when Barley lies quietly on the floor chewing a toy—instead of, say, the couch—Hearn will say nice and reward him with a piece of his kibble.

“I have little Dixie cups of food all over the house,” she says. “So when I catch him being good, I’m marking that behavior. I’m encouraging him to be good.”

It’s critically important for guide dogs to be well-behaved at home, rather than jumping on furniture, snagging remote controls, getting into garbage, zooming from room to room, or barking when the doorbell rings.

To establish good practices, Hearn will ask her granddaughter to ring the doorbell while she waits with Barley inside, quickly treating the pup when he doesn’t bark.

It’s also imperative that puppies learn a “relieving protocol”—being able to go to the bathroom on leash, on a variety of surfaces, on command, and without accidents in between.

“We teach them to relieve on all sorts of different surfaces, not just grass, because as a working guide, they may not have grass available,” she says. “So I always start my puppies out on asphalt or concrete, and that means getting them out at two o’clock in the morning, putting them on the leash, taking them out, and rewarding them when they’ve done their business.”

Hearn meets with her local puppy-raising group weekly and will puppysit or trade dogs with other handlers to expose the canines to spending time with different people in diverse situations.

As the puppy’s confidence grows, Hearn teaches him basic cues like sit, stay, down, and come, and gradually builds upon socialization. For example, Hearn will start by taking a puppy to sit outside a big box store, feeding treats as people walk by. When ready, they’ll pop in and out of the store before taking longer shopping trips. The same goes for a restaurant: On a first visit, Hearn will ask Barley to settle under the table, then just drink an iced tea instead of lingering over a meal.

When a puppy is 5 or 6 months old, she takes him to church. They’ll sit in the back pew and if the dog is quiet, she’ll slip him treats periodically. Around 7 to 9 months—when there’s no risk of an accident—they’ll try a grocery store. Along the way, they’ll stay in a hotel, watch a movie, ride the train, visit bustling Christmas-tree lots, and attend holiday concerts. She’ll even attend pep rallies—seated near the door so she can quickly exit if the dog seems uncomfortable.

“It’s a building block: If a dog is successful at one step, then you add to it,” she says. “We do not know what the lifestyle of their future partner may be. So the more varied experiences I can give a puppy, the better their chances are of being successful.”

Hearn, a teacher at Lemoore High School, also brings her puppies to school with her. They proved so popular that she created a Future Farmers of America program at the school so that students can raise guide dogs as a recognized project.

“I think youth raisers are going to make great parents someday because they’re learning to be consistent,” she says. “They’re learning to set guidelines and they’re learning to do it in a very positive way.”

Hearn and her students have raised 186 puppies for Guide Dogs for the Blind, including Ale, a black Labrador Retriever who partnered with San Francisco resident Mary Cruz in 2017.

“Ale is the most laid-back, wonderful, sweet dog you’d ever want to know,” she says. “He walks at my pace. He is not in a rush. It’s like we’re out for a Sunday stroll.”

Ale’s controlled pace has been life-changing for Cruz. Over 10 years ago when she and her daughter were in a crosswalk—without her second guide dog—an elderly woman plowed into them with her car, breaking both of Cruz’s legs and permanently affecting her gait. Her dog, Greeley, adjusted to her slower pace because of their close connection, but when the Golden Retriever needed to retire, she feared she wouldn’t find a guide dog who could walk as slowly as she needed.

As luck would have it, Ale almost couldn’t find a partner because of his own slow pace. Cruz says he helps keep her safe in crosswalks and from falling off curbs or running into poles. She’s grateful to puppy raisers like Hearn and her student, Jordan Lee, who raised Ale.

“As far as I’m concerned, all the puppy raisers are God’s gift to the world,” she says.

There are many opportunities to volunteer as a puppy raiser. For instance, around 2,000 people volunteer for Guide Dogs for the Blind—which, thanks to their help, partners dogs with their handlers for free.

On the East Coast, the renowned guide-dog school The Seeing Eye  has had a puppy-raising program since 1942, and nonprofits throughout the country depend on volunteers to raise future service dogs for a variety of roles, such as assisting the deaf, detecting impending seizures or blood sugar fluctuations in people with diabetes, mobility assistance, and support for those with PTSD or autism.

Canine Companions for Independence, a nonprofit that places service dogs for people with disabilities free of charge, has over 1,500 volunteer puppy raisers in the United States. Ohio resident Jerry Amos and his wife, Jerri, have raised puppies for the organization for nearly 30 years.

They enjoy welcoming pups into their home—which includes Hugo, their beloved Coton de Tulear —and helping socialize the dogs. They take them to local festivals and to meet veterans with PTSD for win-win socialization.

While they say it’s hard returning a puppy for their advanced training, it’s worth it for the best part: an emotional graduation ceremony, in which they hand over the leash of the dog they raised to a person with a disability.

The couple has presented dogs to many people, including a boy with autism, a young man with cerebral palsy, and a nurse injured in a motorcycle accident.

“It’s just a joy to do it,” Jerry Amos says. “A lot of our dogs are going to children. You see their eyes and how happy they are and what a difference it makes to them. To me, that’s what it’s all about.”

Puppy raisers are also critical to smaller organizations like the nonprofit Good Dog ! Autism Companions, which raises service dogs for children with autism. The dogs provide calming pressure when a child becomes overstimulated and act as a social bridge to other kids.

The organization currently has about a dozen puppy raisers and is expanding the program in order to serve more families, according to Laura Sylvester, co-founder and executive director.

“Puppy raisers are an essential part of our organization. They make things happen,” she says. “My favorite quote is, ‘Inside every service dog is the heart of a puppy raiser.’ ”

AMR Therapy Dog

Rampart, a therapy dog with American Medical Response San Bernardino County, recently passed his Certified Therapy Dog exam.

AMR acquired Rampart, a 1½-year-old goldendoodle, when he was 10 weeks old. Rampart started basic obedience classes when he was 4 months old and continued through advanced obedience classes, according to a news release.

When he was 8 months old, he received his Canine Good Citizen Certification (CGC), passing tests of American Kennel Club standards of obedience. After that, he started with a therapy dog group, but that group was suspended because of the coronavirus pandemic. Rampart has visited all San Bernardino County AMR and Reach operations for various visits and after criticalcalls. He has also visited the Victor Valley paramedic program and local hospitals to meet with their staff after some critical calls to provide emotional support, according to the news release.

Now that he is certified, Rampart joins the Global Medical Response therapy dog team as one of 22 dogs across the country ready to respond to caretakers wherever he is assigned.

Rampart’s handlers are Mike Romo, operations manager at AMR in Victorville, and Leonardo Lara, operations manager at AMR in Victorville.

A Dog’s World

Akron-Canton Airport President and CEO Renato “Ren” Camacho isn’t shy about promoting his airport’s commitment to its passengers.

One obvious sign is a $34 million gate modification project nearing completion that includes a new concourse packed with amenities for moms, business travelers and passengers in general.

On Wednesday, Camacho demonstrated that the airport’s commitment to customer satisfaction extends beyond its human clientele.

In a brief ceremony in the new concourse, Camacho and Coastal Pet Products President Kim Stout showed off the airport’s new pet relief area.

Stout, whose company is partnering with the airport to maintain the area, brought along Stryker, the Coastal Pet family dog, to inspect it.  And now, add pets to that list.

Based on Stryker’s interest in the miniature fire hydrant in the relief room, the airport passed with flying colors.

It may be little in the scheme of airport design, but the pet relief area serves a big and growing sector of the airline business.

In 2017, the number of emotional support animals flying on U.S. planes climbed 60%, according to Airlines for America, a trade association for North American airlines. At the same time, human passenger growth rose just 3.1 percent.

In the same year, American Airlines flew 155,790 emotional support animals and United Airlines carried 76,000.

That trend continued in 2018, with support animal traffic up 14.3 percent for the industry while passenger growth ticked up 4.7 percent.

Emotional support animals provide comfort to help relieve a symptom or effect of a person’s disability. Any animal or breed of animal can qualify as a support animal and they are not trained to perform a specific task like a service animal, according to the U.S. Service Animals website.

Camacho said Akron-Canton Airport is always looking to provide customer-friendly spaces.

“Pet relief areas are becoming more and more the norm,” he said. “We wanted to provide an area for our four-legged friends.”

Stout said the partnership between Coastal Pets and the airport makes sense and demonstrates how important pets are to their owners.

“It really [shows] the significance that pets have in our lives,” she said. “They’re part of our family.”

Coastal Pets employs about 500 at its Alliance headquarters, manufacturing a variety of pet products, she said. Those products include carriers for the travelling pet who likes to fly — preferably out of Akron-Canton Airport.