Canine Health Is Important

Southeastern Guide Dogs has a sterling reputation for breeding, raising and training extraordinary guide dogs for sight-impaired individuals, service dogs for veterans with disabilities and companion dogs for children with significant life challenges.

Towards that end, the nonprofit organization is always adding programs that help its dogs and recipients have a longer and happier relationship together.

One of these is its two-year-old Canine Fitness Program, which includes the recently opened Stephen and Marcia Miner Canine Aquatic Center.

“Our program started in July 2018 and is comprised of four staff members and several volunteers,” said Jessica D’Ambrosio, its manager and a certified canine rehabilitation technician. “Its primary focus is to extend the working career of our dogs by improving their physical and mental fitness.”

The program has several components. “The first is physiotherapy, which involves agility equipment, stairs, ramps and inflatable props that move, provide different textures and are used for several physical exercises,” D’Ambrosio said. “The exercises we use focus on specific muscle groups, including (a dog’s) core, back legs, front legs and overall body. “It’s a great way for our dogs to expend energy and increase fitness.”

There’s a land treadmill for cardio that looks just like the one used by humans, and a waist-high hydrotherapy tank, where the dogs “that may be struggling with a specific health issue” can walk under water. It’s also an alternative to the land treadmill for these future superheroes.

D’Ambrosio is especially proud of what she called Southeastern Guide Dogs’ “incredible” aquatic pool, which has been in use since February.

“A few of our dogs don’t like the water, but most dive right in and thoroughly enjoy exercising in the pool by doing laps with us or swimming against their own resistance, using something called a “Super Swim,” D’Ambrosio said. “This device resembles a fishing pole, and it connects to a dog’s life vest, allowing [the dog] to swim away from the pole against its own resistance to build muscle and increase its cardiovascular health.”

After they’re returned by their puppy raisers and before starting with their trainers, all Southeastern dogs go through the Canine Fitness Program for one hour a day for four weeks. When they’re not working the program, they go back to their kennels to participate in a variety of enrichment activities. Each kennel houses two or three dogs.

“I love seeing how each dog progresses in confidence and physical fitness form the time they start to the time they leave us,” D’Ambrosio said. The idea is “if our dogs are healthier, they can possibly work longer and continue with their handlers. Fitness and health make their working lives easier.”

Southeastern Guide Dogs’ guide, service or companion dogs retire around age 10 or 11, and they’re adopted by the person they served, their puppy raisers or private individuals.

Girl Meets Her Future Service Dog

Academy’s Therapy Dog

When students returned to iAcademy at Athens Elementary earlier this month, they were welcomed by a new member of the school’s faculty. He may not be much of a talker, but he still has a way of brightening everyone’s day.

His name is Eli, and he’s a 2-year-old Labradoodle serving as iAcademy’s new therapy dog. The good boy is hard at work, helping to ease student and faculty stress while everyone adjusts to modified school conditions caused by the coronavirus pandemic.

“We love him,” said Beth Patton, acting superintendent with Athens City Schools. “The kids are crazy about him. He is very helpful during this time when stress is high.”

iAcademy Principal Amanda Tedford said getting Eli at AES has been a two-year process started by former principal Cindy Davis. She said Davis and a Title I teacher attended a workshop that included a session on therapy dogs, and they were intrigued by the idea.

Tedford said Eli was actually supposed to begin working at the school in March, but his first day happened to be the same day schools closed due to coronavirus.

“The mental health of our students has been a great concern of ours, especially during this pandemic,” Tedford said. “Having Eli gives students a great opportunity to have some emotional support. He is there to help. He sits with students who need some comfort or who need to see a friendly face.”

Tedford said Eli spends most of his time away from iAcademy living with teacher and handler Cindy Greenway, but the lovable pooch actually belongs to the school itself. Like Patton, Tedford said everyone at iAcademy loves Eli.

“Everyone’s faces light up when they see him come into the classroom,” she said. “We spent the first couple of days letting the students meet him, and taught them how to interact with him. We taught them how to pet him the right way and to not startle him. It has been neat to see their reaction.”

Eli goes to different classrooms regularly, and Tedford said teachers can request a visit. Even remote students got a chance to meet Eli when he recently sat in on Zoom teleconferences.

Eli was trained by Service Dogs Alabama, a group that helps provide medical and psychiatric assistance dogs for those in need of them. Tedford said the therapy dog will be a member of the school for a long time.

ARW’s New Therapy Dog

There’s a new youngster at 185th Air Refueling Wing in Sioux City.

His name is Lincoln and he’s an English Cream Golden Retriever puppy.

The 10-week-old is a therapy dog in training for the 185th care team and was requested by Iowa Air National Guard Lt. Col Steve Peters.

Lt. Col Peters is a chaplain at the 185th and he says Lincoln has a big job ahead.

“The English Cream Golden Retriever have it in their DNA to want to be with people,” said Peters “They are a very empathetic breed and make fantastic therapy dogs.”

Lincoln seems to be adjusting to his new assignment fairly well, even though he spends quite a lot of time sleeping.

Peters said Lincoln started training for his career the day he was born. As part of his early tutelage, the kennel where Lincoln came from introduced him to unusual sounds and smells designed to acclimate him to the noisy, smelly world he would soon enter.

“What they are most interested in therapy dogs are characteristics of calmness and loving people, slow to react to startling noises, or being distracted from things that are going on around them,” said Peters.

Peters said Lincoln had been working hard even before he arrived at the Air Guard base, but there are months of training ahead. Still, just having Lincoln on the base has had an immediate effect on people.

“When he arrived at the base, there was a steady stream of people at the door,” said Peters. “God bless the little boy; he was happy and excited every time somebody would come in.”

Having a therapy dog like Lincoln in the workplace is becoming more accepted. Peters said therapy dogs break down mental barriers, making people more willing to open up and talk.

Sit Means Sit

Sit Meand Sit co-owners Michael and Melissa O’Donnell, who both worked in sales, never planned to open a dog training business.

Then one day at a family gathering, their new puppy nipped their niece when she ran up behind him.

“Everybody said, ‘You’ve gotta get rid of him, you can’t have a dog who bites kids,’ and I thought that wasn’t fair to him,” said Michael.

When the couple found dog training at another Sit Means Sit location, Michael instantly became hooked. “I caught on really quickly, and I became good friends with the owner,” Michael said. “That turned into a passion — I have always loved dogs, and I have always been good with them. I thought, let’s do this full time.”

That was more than four years ago. Now, Sit Means Sit Apex has trained 1,500 dogs across the Triangle. They’ve won the WRAL Voters Choice Awards vote for best dog trainer for three years in a row, and their family dog, Ripken, is the “bat dog” for the Holly Springs Salamanders and the Durham Bulls.

He is also the official Sit Means Sit Apex mascot.

“Our two other dogs get to stay home, but he has to pay his rent,” Michael joked.

During COVID-19, when more humans are working from home and around their animals 24/7, Sit Means Sit has received more calls about separation anxiety than ever before. Michael said more people are also adopting dogs and puppies because they have more free time — and seeking out training as a result.

“People are home all the time, so they feel bad keeping their dogs in their kennels or teaching them to be alone,” Michael said.

His number one piece of advice for pet owners in the same situation? Keep your dog on a routine so they’ll learn it’s okay to be alone sometimes.

It’s also a great idea to get a crate and teach your dog to see it as their room — a safe, comfortable place they can escape to for alone time, Michael said.

“My daughter has her own room because sometimes she needs a break from us,” he compared. “She needs to learn that Mom and Dad are still here to protect her even though she can’t see us. It’s the same thing with dogs.”

Even if you’re working from home, crate your dog like you would if you were going to the office because “when you do go back to your normal life, your dog’s going to have to be okay with you leaving,” Michael said.

Sit Means Sit is offering virtual training sessions during COVID-19, but Michael said most clients choose to take classes in person. His group training sessions are held outdoors with families spaced far apart, and all dog trainers wear masks.

Since the most important part of dog training is teaching the owner how to work with their dog in their own home, social distancing is easy, Michael said. Keeping a safe distance from his clients or talking to them virtually has only helped his customers, because they’re forced to work with one-on-one with their dogs.

Sit Means Sit Apex is constantly adapting to better serve families. Every year Michael and his employees attend new training workshops, and the business is always seeking new ways to serve the community.

“I never want to get stagnant in what I do,” said Michael, who just became certified with two of his employees to train therapy dogs through K-9 Caring Angels.

So far, Sit Means Sit Apex has certified four dogs, and plans are in the works to take dogs to hospitals, nursing homes and fire stations.

Celebrate National Dog Day

Today is National Dog Day and a lot of you have a special reason to celebrate. Families who already have dogs know just how much joy it has been to have canine friends to help get through quarantine, but new pandemic puppies are flooding social media. Adoption of dogs and fostering has spiked during the last few months and new dog parents are discovering having more time to devote to a new dog or attend to the needs of an energetic puppy is easier with families spending more time at home.

LaTascha Foster always thought about getting a dog, but held off for years, doubting whether or not her kids would help as promised and whether she and her husband would have the energy to care for a dog after both working and parenting.

Then the COVID-19 lockdown happened.

“It gave us so many extra hours at home together,” Foster says. “We were looking for safe reasons to leave the house. The trigger was finally pulled when we learned my daughter, who should have been heading to college, would be staying home and studying remotely until Spring semester. The new puppy, Gigi, has brought so much love to our house. A lot of work — but also so much love!

The Harvey family also made a decision to add to their family during the pandemic and to bring some joy into what has been a difficult time.

“We had lost our first dachshund Tommy a year ago and thought that we could never get another dog,” says mom Glynnis. “But then when the pandemic lockdown kept us indoors so long and all the news was so grim, a collective sadness swept the whole family. My two daughters had their college years cut short by the pandemic on two pivotal years for them. A Senior at Colgate University whose graduation could not happen. And a freshman at Cornell who was enjoying her first Spring semester.”

“My husband was working from home. And with no end in sight for the pandemic, we felt a loss, an emptiness that needed to be be filled,” says Glynnis. “We all agreed that we needed a new pet to love and to bring us joy and hope. And so we searched for another dachshund and after being on a waitlist for a couple months, we finally got our dachshund puppy, Hazy! She has truly blessed our house with joy and hope.” Socialization for puppies can be a little tricky with social distancing, but there’s help for that, too.

Janine Ruela of Montclair Pet Girl, a dog walking/pet sitting service, has been helping to get puppies socialized while keeping their pet parents safe.

“I’m able to put together puppy playdates, for dogs missing seeing other dogs while families are social distancing,” says Ruela, who arranges walks or a play session with compatible pups while their pet parents work from home.

New Florida Law On ESA’s

Florida recently enacted a law intended to combat a problem familiar to many New York co-op boards: fraudulent requests for emotional support animals. The Florida law provides that animal registries, certifications and similar online documents are insufficient to support these requests. Significantly, the law also provides a basis for professional discipline for healthcare practitioners who issue supporting documentation without personal knowledge of the animal owner’s health. Further, the law imposes criminal penalties for those who make or support fraudulent requests for these animals in housing.

What is an emotional support animal? The Florida law defines it as “an animal that does not require training to do work, perform tasks, provide assistance, or provide therapeutic emotional support by virtue of its presence, which alleviates one or more identified symptoms or effects of a person’s disability.” Contrast that with a service animal that must be trained to perform work or tasks for a person with a disability, such as a guide dog for people who are blind.

The federal Fair Housing Act has always required housing providers to accommodate emotional support animals. The Florida law adopts that requirement and provides guidance about the documentation that a housing provider can ask for when considering a request to accommodate an emotional support animal. For example, a housing provider can request medical verification only when the resident’s disability is not readily apparent, and the provider cannot require disclosure of the resident’s diagnosis or severity of a disability.

Additionally, consistent with federal rules, the Florida law provides that a housing provider is under no obligation to accommodate an animal that poses a direct threat to the health or safety of others. The Florida law goes further than federal law, however, to address what type of supporting evidence is and is not legally sufficient for emotional support animal requests. Also, unlike federal law, the state law imposes penalties on those who make or support fraudulent requests. Here are the key aspects:

Online Registries and Certifications Insufficient. An emotional support animal registration of any kind, including an identification card, patch, certificate, or similar registration document obtained from the internet is not, by itself, sufficient proof of a resident’s disability or need for the animal. For healthcare and other practitioners to provide reliable information about a resident’s disabilities and need for an emotional support animal, the provider must have personal knowledge of the resident’s disability and be acting within the scope of his or her practice to provide the supporting information.

Out-of-State Support Limited. The Florida law places limitations on out-of-state healthcare and other practitioners – excluding licensed telehealth providers – who certify these requests. To document that a resident has a disability, an out-of-state practitioner must have provided in-person care or services to the resident on at least one occasion.

Potential for Professional Discipline. Offering information about either a person’s disability or disability-related need for an emotional support animal without personal knowledge is grounds for disciplinary action.

Criminal Penalties.The new Florida law has teeth (pun intended). It is now a misdemeanor in the second degree if a person falsifies information or documents, or knowingly provides fraudulent information or documents to support an emotional support animal request – or if that person otherwise knowingly and willfully misrepresents the resident’s disability status or needs. A convicted offender must perform 30 hours of community service for an organization that serves people with disabilities, or another organization designated by the court.

The Florida law is a welcome development for housing providers, including co-op boards, who seek to abide by their no-pet rules and make exceptions only for legitimate requests by residents with disabilities. In jurisdictions like New York, where co-op boards are faced with abusive practices, regulators may take note of this development and consider enacting similar measures to combat emotional support animal fraud.

Animal Shelters

AmeriServ Bank recently presented a total of $1,000 to three area animal organizations as a result of its recent “Paws for a Cause” social media pet photo contest.

Customers were invited to submit photos of their pets to AmeriServ’s Instagram and/or Facebook pages. Users at the two sites then voted for their favorite pet photo and nominated an animal charity to receive a donation.

A total of 38 entries were submitted for the contest, with the three photos that received the most votes advancing to a final round.

“We wanted to engage social media users, spread positivity and lift spirits during what has been a trying couple of months for many people,” said Susan Angeletti, senior vice president of marketing and alternative delivery services. “Combining a pet photo contest with charitable contributions to local organizations in need fit the bill perfectly.”

First prize was awarded to Ginger, a 9-year-old golden retriever and therapy dog owned by Debra Noble. AmeriServ made a $500 donation to the Humane Society of Cambria County as part of this award, and Noble also donated her $100 prize to the humane society.

“Ginger and I would like to thank everyone for their votes and shares in the AmeriServ ‘Paws For A Cause’ contest,” Noble said. “We appreciate their generous donation to the Humane Society of Cambria County. Jessica (Vamos, executive director of the Humane Society of Cambria County) and her team are the best!

“Ginger is truly an example of what an adopted dog can do. At (6) years old, she became a therapy dog. She truly loves doing pet therapy and we are anxious to get back to work soon.”

Vamos said AmeriServ’s donation helped the humane society at a crucial time.

“’Paws for a Cause’ has helped us during our busiest time of the year,” she said. “With nearly 150 animals in our care, including dogs, cats, kittens and birds, these funds will help us to continue to provide medical care and purchase those supplies that are depleting, like non-clumping cat litter and wet kitten food.”

AmeriServ also donated $250 each to Habitat for Hounds Animal Rescue and Centre County PAWS in honor of the two runner-up recipients.

AmeriServ Financial is the parent of AmeriServ Financial Bank and AmeriServ Trust and Financial Services Co. The company’s subsidiaries provide full-service banking, commercial and consumer lending, and wealth management services in southwestern Pennsylvania and Maryland.

Service Dog’s Life

When the phrase service dogs comes to mind, many people immediately think of a dog that is serving someone with a visible disability. Most people think of military veterans, individuals who suffer mental disabilities, or individuals who have Post Traumatic Stress Disorder. The fact is, there are many people who have service dogs who do not have a “well known” disability or even a disability that is apparent to the public.

Service dogs are not only for individuals who are suffering in one form, but they can also be for individuals who feel they need a service dog for a variety of reasons. One such person who owns and trained her own service dog is Patty Grotberg. Grotberg has been training dogs since the age of ten when she found she enjoyed the process.

“I became interested in Service Dogs several years ago, when it became apparent that I would benefit from having one,” said Grotberg. “Service Dogs are expensive. It is common to pay twenty-thousand dollars and up for a fully trained Service Dog. This was not in my budget, so I looked at alternatives and became involved with an owner-train program. This is where a dog and handler go to classes once a week with a professional Service Dog Trainer. They learn new skills each week and practice daily homework. These classes can last one to two years as the training of a Service Dog is extensive and time consuming. This more economical approach was a good fit for me since I have a background in training dogs and was willing to put in the work.”

Grotberg’s journey has led her to interact with other people who own service dogs and gain extensive knowledge about the service dog world.

“I have had my current Service Dog for nearly a year. Bailey is a 1.5-year-old Labradoodle,” said Grotberg. “He is still in training. This stage is known as SDiT, Service Dog in Training. In NC, SDiT have the same public access rights as Service Dogs. Puppy training, Obedience Training, Public Access Training, how to behave anywhere and everywhere, from the mall to a restaurant, and Task Training, the actual work the dog will perform to mitigate the disability of handler, are all part of the dog becoming a service dog.”

For individuals interested in service dog training, or a service dog of their own, the process is extensive and requires an ample amount of time and training. There are several tests that are used for the Service Dog assessment. The CGC (Canine Good Citizen) and the PAT Test (Public Access Test) are two of the tests that the training dog must pass to become a certified service dog.

“Owning a Service Dog is a huge privilege, and I am so thankful for mine, because these highly trained dogs mitigate individual disabilities and can greatly improve quality of life. They are also a lot of work,” stated Grotberg. “A Service Dog must be clean and well groomed at all times, training must be ongoing to keep behavioral standards high, the dog must be given opportunities to relieve itself before and after each outing and often during as well. For example, when I go clothing shopping, I often leave the store for a potty break for my dog and then head back in again. I must consider the needs of my dog at all times and must train him to wear unusual equipment for a dog, such as protective boots to shield his feet from summer’s hot pavement. I do not believe that most people would keep a service dog long term unless the benefits outweigh the negatives for them. They are just too much work.”

One thing that should be known to the general public is that there are many different types of support animals. Emotional Support Animals, Therapy Animals, and Service Dogs are all different and they all play a different role with their owner. Emotional Support Animals require no special training, only have rights through HUD, and they have no special Public Access rights. Therapy Dogs have special training to visit places like hospitals, seniors homes and prisons. They typically must be tested and licensed for insurance purposes. Service Dogs perform specific task work to mitigate disability for one person. They are highly trained and have full public access rights. They are legally considered medical equipment.

“There is a great deal of public confusion regarding SD in the USA. Many people are confused between Emotional Support Animals, Therapy Dogs, and Service Dogs,” said Grotberg. “This confusion can cause a great deal of difficulty for service dog users because the public and businesses may not be aware of their legal access rights. I have experienced such issues. Generally, the only public places service dogs may not legally access are sterile environments, such as hospital operating rooms. Service Dogs are considered required medical equipment under the law. Basically, anywhere a disabled person would be allowed to bring or use their wheelchair, a service dog would also be allowed.”

“Businesses are, however, protected against abuse of their property by poorly behaving service dog teams. According to ADA regulations, they may ask a SD team to leave the premises if the dog is defecating on their property or if the dogs’ behavior is unsafe or disruptive (i.e. barking, lunging, jumping).”

Along with the public misunderstanding the different types of service animals, there is also a proper etiquette that is construed when the public sees a service dog. If a service dog appears without his or her owner, one should immediately follow the dog. The service dog has been trained to find the closest help possible if they are unable to perform the task needed. Do not try to corral the dog or catch the dog, simply follow them to the location of their owner.

“The Public Access issue is probably the biggest concern for the service dog community. We are often given a hard time or even denied access illegally, when our dogs are behaving exactly right because the public is unaware of ADA regulations,” stated Grotberg. “General public response is also very challenging at times. Proper etiquette for the public is; no talking, no touching, and no looking at Service Dogs. The dogs are working and need to concentrate. Interact with Service Dog users just as if their dog was not there. Do not ask why a person has a Service Dog. You are unintentionally asking them for their personal health information.”

“It is very common to have people want to talk to Service Dogs, bark at them, call to them, try to pat them, follow them around stores, and ask the handlers about their personal health information,” stated Grotberg. “I personally try to be patient, friendly and educational with people who are interested, but it is really difficult to be harassed by people following us and barking or grabbing at my dog as we walk by. My favorite responses are from the people who ignore us, address only me, or just smile. I really appreciate that.”

National Dog Day

Today on National Dog Day, observed worldwide each Aug. 26, breeds, pure and mixed, and all that they do for us is being celebrated. National Dog Day honors family dogs and dogs that work selflessly to save lives, keep us safe and bring comfort. Some dogs put their lives on the line every day — for their police partners and blind companions, for the disabled, for our freedom and safety, and even the advancement of mankind.

In honor of the day, we are highlighting just a handful of the bravest and most loyal dogs in history, from Laika, the Russian pooch sent into space, to Sgt. Stubby, the most decorated war dog. These dogs and countless others around the world give new meaning to the phrase, “man’s best friend.”

BALTO

Celebrated sled dog Balto helped successfully deliver life-saving medication to Nome, Alaska, in 1925, when a serious outbreak of diphtheria hit the city and medical officials needed antitoxins to prevent the upper respiratory tract infection from spreading. The nearest doses were in Anchorage and officials were forced to rely on dogsleds to deliver the antitoxins because the extreme cold made other modes of transport impossible. Balto was the lead dog for the final 53-mile leg of the total 674-mile trip that took seven days. By the time Balto and his team were on the road with their cargo, sled driver Gunnar Kaasen could barely see in front of him and was forced to rely on the dogs to reach Nome without his direction. Balto was celebrated as a hero upon their arrival in Nome and later with a media tour. A statue was dedicated to him in Central Park in New York City.

SERGEANT STUBBY

Serving with the 102nd Infantry, 26th (Yankee) Division, Sgt. Stubby was a pit bull mix who snuck his way onto the battlefields of World War I in France and became the unit’s mascot, serving in 17 battles. Shortly after arriving, Stubby’s unit was hit with a gas attack. After that, Stubby — with his keen ears and nose — would alert his unit incoming attacks to give the men time to put on gas masks. Stubby became an ideal search-and-rescue dog. He sniffed out a German spy and held him by the seat of his pants until American soldiers arrived. This earned him a promotion to sergeant, the only dog ever to receive such a promotion through combat.

SMOKY

After being found abandoned in the jungle of New Guinea, this 4-pound Yorkshire terrier lived large after being purchased by American soldier Bill Wynne of Ohio. Wynne trained Smoky and the tiny, 7-inch dog accompanied him for two years during World War II. While abroad, she entertained troops and earned honors for her bravery, saving Wynne’s life on at least one occasion by warning him of incoming fire on a transport ship. She is considered to be the first therapy dog, as her presence was a comfort to wounded soldiers and helped them heal. After the war, Smoky and Wynne went home to Cleveland, Ohio, and continued to entertain veterans and the public. She is memorialized with a statue in Lakewood, Ohio.

RAGS

Rags, a mixed-breed terrier, fought alongside the U.S. 1st Infantry division in World War I. Pvt. James Donovan stumbled upon the dog while he was in Paris — initially using the dog as an excuse to avoid being arrested for being away without leave. He returned to duty, bringing along the dog as a division mascot. Rags soon became a carrier dog, delivering notes across dangerous fields to various posts. Rags and Donovan were sent back to the United States after they were both involved in a serious gas attack. Donovan died in the hospital, but Rags survived and became a celebrity around the country, eventually ascending to the rank of lieutenant colonel. He was buried with military honors in Silver Spring, Maryland.

HACHIKO

Hachikō, an Akita Inu, is one of the most loyal dogs in history. Hachiko would meet his owner everyday at Shibuya Station in Tokyo as the owner returned from work. In 1925, when the owner died while at work and never returned home, Hachikō went to the train station day after day for years, even escaping from new owners to await the return of his deceased owner. A statue of Hachikō now stands at Shibuya Station, and the spot where he stood for many years is marked with a set of bronze paw prints.