Chaise Gets A Service Dog
An “outpouring of love from our community” has resulted in a Shelocta family’s success in quickly raising $18,000 for a trained autism support dog for their son.
The story of the Clouser family — parents Ashley and Justin and sons Chaise, 6, and Conner, who turns 2 in October — was featured in the Sept. 13 edition of the Gazette, where they described their journey to fundraise for a dog from 4 Paws For Ability, a nonprofit organization that provides service dogs.
The dog would assist Chaise, who has a diagnosis of autism and ADHD, as the COVID-19 pandemic has increased the behaviors associated with his condition and turned his world upside down, they said.
According to 4 Paws For Ability, an autism assistance dog costs $40,000 to $60,000 to train. Because the organization is nonprofit, the cost to the family is about $17,000.
But an unexpected donation, coupled with a few fundraisers and community support, ended their fundraising journey in just a few weeks.
“My initial thought was that we would be planning fundraisers and events for at least six months up to a year to raise money for Chaise’s service dog,” Justin said.
“It has always been evident that we live in a very uplifting community, but never in my wildest dreams did I envision the fundraising process to last less than three weeks,” Ashley said.
Donations came from family, friends and “even strangers that took the time to donate and share our story on social media. That allowed for more awareness and ultimately us meeting our goal rather quickly,” Ashley said.
There were more than 110 donors for the effort.
Jeff Duffner and wife Angela, of Horizon Stables in Apollo where Chaise receives horses therapy, “worked tirelessly with Debbie Schultz at Schultz’s Sportsman Stop in Apollo to help organize three gun raffles that has helped us raise over $2,500,” Justin said.
A Facebook fundraising page listed $5,470 in donations as it closed.
“Thinking that this person was just trying to figure out a fundraiser that would suit their needs, I provided all the information requested,” Ashley said. “This amazing couple then asked how much we still needed to raise. I explained a rough estimate and they indicated they needed a final amount as they were writing a check for the rest so we could focus on raising our boys rather than raising money.
“I honestly was like, ‘Wait, what?’ And as they continued to explain to me that this is happening, Chaise is getting his dog, I couldn’t help but fall to the floor in my kitchen and begin crying. This amazing couple just gave my son the lifeline we have been waiting for, and we feel so blessed.”
The Clousers said the donors wish to remain anonymous.
Once the pandemic has eased, the family plans to meet the couple and introduce them to Chaise and Conner.
“I explained that they are now considered part of our family and we are looking forward to getting to know them,” Ashley said.
Now that the money has been raised, Chaise can be added to a waiting list for his dog, as the canines are bred and trained on demand once fundraisers are complete. The waiting period is estimated at two years, they said.
After that, the family will attend a two-week training on handling the dog.
Prior to the pandemic, Chaise’s behavior was manageable, but the disruptions from the pandemic amplified incidents of biting, hitting and kicking to the point where Chaise was hospitalized at UPMC Western Psychiatric Hospital for the safety of himself and his family.
“We are confident that this new chapter in Chaise’s life will provide him with the coping skills to live his best life and honestly that’s all we want for him,” Ashley said.
Ashley said their family had reservations about asking others for help.
“We kind of felt guilty starting this journey, but with God’s guidance we have realized that this was not something we could handle on our own and set our pride aside to accept the generosity of our community in assisting Chaise,” Ashley said. “This couple and all our donors really have been amazing angels sent from God to help our son.”
Therapy Dogs In Schools
Altmar-Parish-Williamstown Central School District has two new staff members to support students throughout the school year: Bernie and Gemma, certified therapy dogs.
Bernie is a 9-month-old Bernedoodle and Gemma is a 5-month-old Ausidoodle, both of whom will support APW students with social and emotional learning needs.
Certified through the AKC Kennel Club, the hope is that the presence of the dogs may help children gain confidence and decrease anxiety, leading to increased school attendance, improved learning outcomes and overall enhancement of relationships with peers and teachers.
The dogs will work in the high school guidance office alongside counselor Rick Algie and behavior specialist Shannon Tanner, both of whom remain passionate about the use of therapy dogs in schools.
“We believe that it can benefit children in so many ways and have already seen in a difference with staff and students interacting with the dogs,” Tanner said. “Especially given all that has happened since March, it couldn’t be a more appropriate time to have this program start!”
Algie and Tanner believe that increase in comfortability in the school environment will help students learn how to express their feelings and enter into more trusting relationships as a result of experiencing trust and unconditional love.
Bernie and Gemma will help kick-off the 2020-2021 school year with meet-and-greets and visitations during “brain break’ times upon teacher request. Throughout the year, they will be housed in the guidance office and also be utilized for de-escalation of behavior situations.
Izzy The Therapy Dog
There is something different strolling the halls of schools in Moody this year and she’s soft, gentle and loves kids. Her name is Izzy and she is a two-year-old Goldendoodle, turned therapy dog.
Her owner, Sgt. Ron Richardson, with the Moody Police Department, saw a video of a therapy dog being used in Cullman County courts. He knew his dog was something special and thought it would be a great idea to share the love.
“I met with Chief Hunt and we presented the idea to the mayor and council and they loved it,” Richardson said. “We presented it to St. Clair County Superintendent Mike Howard and he thought it was a great idea.”
So, off Izzy went, to a two-week training course with Off the Leash K9 in Homewood. Her trainer, Justin Snead, told Richardson since Izzy was already a mild-mannered pup, training should be fun and easy. Izzy underwent a personality assessment to make sure she would be fit for the job. Snead also taught Izzy how to walk without a leash.
“He took her into stores without a leash and she behaves and minds,” Richardson said. “Justin did a phenomenal job with her.”
Of course, Izzy can go back to Off the Leash K9 anytime she needs a refresher course.
Izzy is not a service animal. She is a therapy dog. She comforts and brings smiles to the faces of students and community members in Moody. Students are able to visit with Izzy when they are feeling stressed or sad.
“She’s really good at one-on-one,” Richardson offered. “We have parent-teacher conferences and we will go in there and she’ll lay her head on their lap if they get upset.”
Richardson and Izzy visit each school in Moody. She walks the halls and even has her own Instagram page so kids can keep up when she is away.
“She had a Facebook page, but the kids don’t really use that so they asked for an Instagram page,” Richardson said.
This well-behaved pup offers much more than therapy.
“They have all said Izzy is the best thing for our school and our community right now,” Richardson added. “When she comes in, she just lights up the room.”
While Richardson is performing his SRO duties, Izzy stays by his side. He said she offers a unique experience for students and helps them learn how to interact with animals.
“Of course I tell them not all dogs are like Izzy,” Richardson said. “Not all dogs are very nice and sweet.”
Izzy even has her own police badge from the Moody Police Department, badge number: IZZY.
When she visits Moody High School, there is something special about her visits with Principal Chris Walters.
“She goes straight to Walters because she knows she’s going to get Bacon Strips,” Richardson said.
The principal said he looks forward to Izzy’s visits in the mornings.
“It’s pretty neat,” Walters said. “I look forward to her coming in there because she works hard and it’s good to see. She’s been a huge addition to our school.”
St. Clair County Schools Superintendent Mike Howard said the kids love having Izzy in the schools.
“She is serving her purpose as a great therapy dog for our staff and students,” Howard said. “We’re very appreciative of Sgt. Ron Richardson and for him to share his dog with our school system.”
Howard said he has even looked into training for his own dog to do the same job as Izzy.
In her spare time, this gentle K9 likes to hang out at Club Mutts, play with softballs and tennis balls, and spend time at home with her family. Her sisters (Richardson’s daughters Lindsey and Shelby) have had to learn how to share the love as well. For Richardson, that love is something worth sharing.
“She knows when I’m having a bad day,” Richardson said. “She’s like a kid. She knows when to push your buttons and when not to. I get joy from watching her help other people.”
Although Richardson said he wasn’t much of a “dog person” before, Izzy is now truly like family to him.
“She sleeps in the bed,” Richardson admitted. “She’s got me trained.”
Richardson is sure to not overwork Izzy. He said three to four days a week is enough therapy.
“She’s got it made, living the best life of anything there is,” said Richardson.
Animal Advocate
Penny, a spaniel mix who works as a canine advocate for domestic violence victims through Crisis Center North, is nearing retirement.
She was adopted from Action for Animals in Derry Township and attends court dates with victims to provide emotional support. But before she retires, she has one more job.
She needs to train an intern.
Technically,Crisis Center North legal advocate and canine intervention specialist Cheri Herschell does most of the roughly two years of training. But Penny will be on hand to set a good example for Rune, a 2-month-old chocolate Labrador retriever born to one of Herschell’s dogs this summer.
“The program is still prioritizing shelter dogs, but Rune really caught our eye with some of the things she’s shown since birth,” said CCN’s executive director Grace Coleman. “We’ve been really impressed with Rune’s behavior. I think she’s going to do great things.”
Herschell said she has seen the same promise in Rune’s early visits to the Oakdale court of Judge Anthony Saveikis, who has welcomed CCN, its animals and the work its staff does for victims.
“The first thing we look for is a dog that’s very personable,” Herschell said. “It’s a dog that enjoys interacting with people and is naturally drawn to them over other distractions in the environment.”
An active district magistrate court is full of people talking, defendants clinking handcuffs or leg irons, and plenty of opportunities to capture a young puppy’s attention.
“We look for dogs that enjoy a person’s company enough that they’re not distracted by the outside environment,” Herschell said.
Coleman credited Saveikis for bringing in CCN.
“It’s a wonderful opportunity that not many courtrooms would allow,” Coleman said. Allegheny County District Attorney’s Office Spokesman Mike Manko said his department is honored that CCN partnered with them to make the animal advocate program happen.
“In any type of abuse case, including domestic violence cases, the welfare of the victim is paramount,” Manko said. “The contributions made by Penny, Ari and soon Rune toward helping victims deal with the court process, which can be very stressful and even intimidating at times, are as important as anything in the process. Plus, it’s a great example of various segments of the criminal justice system working together for a common goal.”
Herschell began Rune’s training with early neurological stimulation, conditioning the puppy to adjust to, and accept, changes in temperature, pressure, position and overall uncomfortable sensations.
The training, when successful, supports an extremely stable temperament, CCN officials said.
“Rune had a client going through the hearing process, and she did remarkably well,” Herschell said. “When the client was unable to pet her because of the circumstances, Rune went under the chair and laid on her feet.”
Fully training an animal advocate can take up to two years. But Herschell is confident Rune will be successful.
“After we make sure she’s comfortable in court, we’ll move her to a regular schedule where she’ll be going on a weekly basis,” she said.
Dog Chow Campaign
In honor of National Service Dog Awareness Month, Purina Dog Chow is launching its third annual “Service Dog Salute” campaign. A service dog can be life-changing in helping veterans with PTSD and other post-combat challenges. Unfortunately, due to the cost and time it takes to train a service dog, less than 1% of veterans in need can obtain one. Dog Chow is on a mission to help change that. The Service Dog Salute campaign supports the care and training of more service dogs for America’s military veterans — so that every hero in need can find a canine hero of their own.
Psychiatric service dogs are not the same as emotional support, therapy or companion dogs. Like service dogs for the blind, deaf and physically disabled, psychiatric service dogs for veterans must be specifically trained to help their handler perform tasks they cannot otherwise perform on their own. The training process can take from one to two-and-a-half years to learn to perform tasks such as:
Placing body weight on the veteran to promote a sense of calm during panic attacks
Waking the veteran from upsetting dreams or night terrors
Reminding the veteran to take medications. Alerting the veteran when someone is approaching from behind. Patrolling the perimeter of a room for triggers and threats
Over the next year, Dog Chow will follow the journey of several service dogs in training that are currently preparing to serve a veteran in need.
I’m here for a very important cause its service dogs for our veterans and I’m working with Purina Dog Chow,” said Bobby Bones. “Our soldiers who have been fighting for us they come back and they have the tools to have some normalcy and these animals do that for them. So many of them come back with PTSD. Here is what is up they cost $20,000 each that is a crazy amount of money. I realize that and Purina realizes that. That is why together you can 1) buy one of these specially marked bags.
“And every time you buy a bag you will make a donation to Got Your Six Support Dogs & The Tony LaRussa Animal Rescue Foundation’s Pets.”
“Purina and Dog Chow are also working with members of Congress in support of federal legislation to provide training and service dogs for veterans. The PAWS for Veterans Therapy Act (HR4305) will create a pilot program in the VA to give veterans access to treatment derived from working with service dogs. The bill has been approved by the House, but still awaits passage in the Senate
Therapy Dog In School
A Derry primary school this week welcomed a new member of staff – its very own therapy dog.
Joy will be used to provide comfort and reassurance to pupils at St Oliver Plunkett Primary School after studies have shown that therapy dogs have a positive impact on children’s mood and behaviour.
St Oliver Plunkett is now the only mainstream school in Northern Ireland with its own personal pet.
The school has teamed up with the Assistance Dogs NI charity which currently provides two therapy dogs to special needs schools in Belfast and Limavady.
Principal Eamonn Moore said he was sure Joy would be of great benefit to the school’s pupils.
He explained how he came across the work of therapy dogs.
“I chanced upon a short clip from a school in England showing a child engaging with the school dog,” he said.
“The vice-principal Mrs Hislop and I were immediately struck by the positive impact the dog was having on the child’s mood and behaviour.
“We were both intrigued as to the possibilities this might present to us in assisting our children to build resilience and develop good mental health.”
Mr Moore said that after researching the topic, he contacted Assistance Dogs NI and started the process of St Oliver Plunkett securing their own dog.
“The level of training required before these dogs are ready to meant that we have to wait 12 months to acquire our very own therapy dog and I am told that our own puppy has already started training.
“However, I did not want our children to have to wait a year for this opportunity so I have worked closely with ADNI to secure a temporary therapy dog who will be with us for two days every week.”
Once the school receives its own dog next year, the dog will live with a member of staff and will come into work each day.
A special timetable will be created to ensure that as many children as possible with be able to enjoy the company of the therapy dog.
In the meantime, Mr Moore said that Joy would reside in the school’s designated therapy room.
“Joy is no ordinary dog. Like all therapy dogs, she had been intensively trained to work with children in a therapeutic way.
“I expect Joy to have a hugely positive impact on all the children, given the numerous emotional, physical, psychological and cognitive benefits therapy dogs offer.”
Geraldine McGaughey from Assistance Dogs NI said the charity provided its first therapy dog to a school in Belfast in March 2019.
Since then, she said, they had received a lot of enquiries from other schools after people have seen the benefits that the dogs provide.
“What we find is that the dog is a motivational tool where staff can use the dog in managing challenging behaviour in the classroom.
“The dogs are able to do things that humans are not able to do such as relaxing the children.”
Geraldine said the plan with Joy was for the local school to select children who they believe would benefit most from being in her company.
Polices Therapy Dog
The Great Barrington police department is holding a swearing in ceremony Friday for its new therapy dog, Officer Beko.
Beko is a 16-week old black lab and works with Officer Kris Balestro. Beko’s training, certification and care are funded by donations from the local community.
Friday’s swearing in ceremony will take place at the Great Barrington police station at 2 p.m.
BarkBox Launching Essentials
If your dog loves to monitor your work when you’re cooking, generally gets underfoot the entire time and sees “taste tester” as their official title, these new dog toys may be essential in your kitchen.
Starting Oct. 1, Bed, Bath & Beyond is introducing a new line, specifically tailored to your dog’s kitchen needs. In partnership with BARK, the makers of BarkBox – the monthly subscription service which provides dog products, services and experiences – the two companies have a new line sure to get your pup’s tail wagging. The “mutts have” kitchen essentials include favorites like a Bark, Bath & Beyond Chewpon, a Stir Mix-a-Lot stand mixer and a variety of Kitchen Chewtensils.
Coco The Therapy Dog
Emergencies and tragedies can have a deep emotional effect on the first responders who do their best to provide help.
“Most people don’t understand the wear and tear that the responders see on a daily basis. It does build up on them and can cause issues,” said Patrick Brandt, director of Delaware County Emergency Communications.
When that occurs, Coco the therapy dog is ready to lend a helpful paw.
Coco, a 1-year-old female Catahoula leopard dog, is based at the county 911 center to provide emotional support to the 911 staff and other first responders, said Karla Jacobs, 911 dispatcher and Coco’s handler.
Coco is funded entirely by donations, Brandt said. No tax dollars are used in connection with the dog.
Emergency crises can have an emotional effect on all first responders, Brandt said.
“Even though the 911 dispatchers are not on scene (of an emergency), it impacts them,” Brandt said. “They’re the first person to get to talk to the person who says their child’s not breathing, there’s been a crash or something. It affects us as well as the responders.”
“Sometimes, from a dispatcher’s standpoint, it can be even harder because they don’t get to see the follow-through with the situation,” he said.
“There’s a little bit of unended situation, particularly with the EMS department,” Brandt said. “They work one day on and two days off. That can be really troubling when they’re on a shift and they see something really bad. And then the next two days they’re at home, without the interaction of their coworkers to work through those scenes.
“Coco has been emotional support for all of us,” he said.
Those who have worked with the dog said she has exceptional capability.
One of the first to notice it was Mike Fite, who operates Come, Sit and Stay Kennel in Ostrander with his wife, Linda.
Fite’s sister-in-law, Kathy Fite, took in Coco as a surrender from previous owners trying to find the 12-week-old dog a home.
Coco soon arrived at Come, Sit and Stay.
“There was something special about her,” Mike Fite said. “She was what we call in the industry ‘bulletproof,’ meaning that she wasn’t bothered by loud sounds, she wasn’t bothered by big dogs, she wasn’t bothered by anything.
“But she’s also very smart,” he said. “She was athletic and just loved to be around people, loved to be around other dogs. So she had the proper temperament out of the gate to move in the right directions.”
That Coco displays such traits, he said, is even more remarkable considering she is a full-blood Catahoula leopard dog.
“I wouldn’t have thought a Catahoula could be so chill,” Fite said. “Most of them are working dogs” who don’t necessarily get along with other dogs, he said, yet Coco fit right in with about 30 other dogs at Come, Sit and Stay.
Mike and Linda Fite are “just really good people and really love dogs, and they deserve so much credit for finding this dog,” Jacobs said.
Coco was 6 months old when she was introduced in March to Jacobs, starting the process leading to her therapy-dog job.
Fite said Coco still visits Come, Sit and Stay for obedience and behavioral training.
Coco also completed three weeks of training with Amy Dursey at Homestead Dogs, on Ford Road in Liberty Township.
“She was amazing. She’s so friendly and she wants to meet everyone,” Dursey said. “I absolutely fell in love with her.”
She compared Coco’s training at Homestead to a boot camp, learning basic commands, manners and behavior on- and off-leash – “just how to behave when she’s greeting another dog or a person.”
Coco has a knack for knowing when she’s needed, Jacobs said.
During a recent incident, “a dispatcher was on the phone with a cardiac-arrest call and was walking the person through CPR, and Coco went over to her and put her head on her lap when she was walking the caller through CPR instruction,” Jacobs said.
“Somehow, they know,” she said.
Coco also has attended two critical-incident stress debriefings, Jacobs said.
One was a serious medical call, she said.
“Law enforcement and everybody were on (a call that) dealt with a child,” she said.
“It had an impact on the first responders,” so Jacobs took Coco to the session.
She said Coco works at the 911 center a couple of days a week.
Otherwise, Coco lives with Jacobs and has made friends with her two cats.
Like all dogs, Coco likes to play and nap, Jacobs said. Other county employees often take her for walks.
Seizure Alert Dog
One girl’s journey to get a service dog ends on a happy note. Addi Lewis, 7, lives with epilepsy. As we reported in November 2019, the Tri-Cities community rallied behind her with fundraising efforts. It costs $20,000 to get a medical alert dog. Generous community donations of roughly $10,000, a $2,500 grant and a $15,000 scholarship from Eyes, Ears, Nose and Paws got Addi past her goal. This week, she finally matched with her new companion, Bear. The original plan was to name it Tinkerbell, but that quickly changed after seeing how large and cuddly Addi’s match truly is.
Addi’s family is beyond grateful for the incredible show of support, like from the Bristol, Tennessee and Haynesfield Elementary School communities.
“Our village, before we even asked for one, came to us. And we can never we can never repay them for it,” said Beth Lewis, Addi’s mom.
Bear is trained to alert the family or those around Addi before she has a seizure. This measure is potentially lifesaving, especially with Addi’s condition.
“There are so many risks with seizure patients, any type of epilepsy, falling and of doing more damage than what the actual seizure did to them,” said Beth.
This summer, the Lewis family moved from Bristol, Tennessee to Navarre, Florida. A community there also helped fundraise.
Addi is still training with Bear at the Eyes Ears Nose and Paws training center in Chapel Hill, North Carolina. She will get to take Bear home early next month.
