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Post by Claire on Dec 12, 2004 23:29:45 GMT -5
Good news.  I had applied for a companion dog for Adam with the National Service Dogs and they have one ready for adoption. She had been trained for an autistic little girl but was to frigity in public places so they offered her to us. She is a golden retreiver, her name is Falyn and she is 2 years old. We pick her up this week. We have to travel a 10 hour drive to get her, but it will be well worth the drive. I'll post a picture of her and Adam when she gets here. ;D |
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Post by Debi on Dec 13, 2004 5:38:02 GMT -5
Oh Claire ..Falyn sounds PERFECT ;D Make sure you post pics and let us know how all this goes.. Gabe had a therapy dog in his elementary classroom and it was (mostly  ) great. I read a book called "Love Heels"" which is about service/companion dogs what they do; how they are selected and trained..etc and bawled all the way through it ; so touching. See if your library will get you a copy you will really like it. How great for Adam!! |
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Post by MB on Dec 13, 2004 8:48:25 GMT -5
Claire,
Would love to know more about the service dog. What made you decide to get one? What are the goals for the dog? I think so many of us would benefit from your research. No hurry! Busy time of year and even busier for you with your new family member.
Thanks.
MB
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Post by Alice on Dec 13, 2004 17:46:52 GMT -5
How good!
I am thinking about a golder retreiver for Luke when he gets a little older.
Have fun,
Alice
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Post by Claire on Dec 13, 2004 21:45:30 GMT -5
Debi I seen a working dog in action with my friend's son who is 13 and Autistic. Their dog made quite a difference in their lives. Their son has also learned to make eye contact and actually show emotion with the dog, which is very hard to do for an autistic child. When the trainer from National Service dogs came to deliver her dog I went over so they could meet Adam and they told me they sometimes have dogs that are disqaualified for different reasons but are still great dogs that are trained. So instead of waisting all the work and talent of these dogs they give them to special needs kids that may need some companionship. Faryn will not be a working dog, she will be a pet but with manners. ;D She will be of great help for companionship for Adam especially as he gets older and the peers kind of not associate with him anymore. Also she is trained for crossing the street and such things. So basically we will be training Adam to respond to Faryn. Like when she stops at the stop sign that means he has to stop and look for cars, ect.... She is beautiful. I don't know where you are from but in Canada here is the link. It tells you exactly what to do on the site. If you are not from Canada e-mail them and tell them where you are from and they may be able to tell you who to contact in your area. www.nsd.on.ca/ |
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Post by alisonzmom on Dec 13, 2004 23:20:47 GMT -5
How wonderful for Adam!!!!
Sounds like it'll be a very special Christmas for you guys! Can't wait to see pictures of Adam and his new friend Falyn.
Barb
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Post by Debi on Dec 14, 2004 5:15:51 GMT -5
Thanks for the link Claire.. I am definitely going to check it out. You are so right that many dogs are trained to be service/therapy dogs but for whatever reason end up as more companion dogs.. sounds like this will be SO perfect for Adam!! In the book I mentioned there was a story about a young boy with cancer who got a dog much like you describe as getting for Adam. It was a huge help for him in his health struggle and of course get out your hankerchiefs if you read it  I know a ton of work goes into training a dog to get to any of these stages... my new year's resolution is to be one of those trainers, probably for companion dogs! |
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Post by MB on Dec 14, 2004 5:54:23 GMT -5
Claire,
Thanks for the info on Falyn. She sounds like a wonderful addition to the family and a great help for your child.
MB
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Post by meghans_mom on Dec 14, 2004 15:29:54 GMT -5
Claire - that's sooooo terrific! good luck w/ the new addition!!
give us more details when you get her home, laurie
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Post by christie on Dec 14, 2004 19:15:14 GMT -5
Awwww CLAIRE, how very very cool We got a Golden Retriever, aka "Goldie" 10 years ago when Chris was just 2 years old and OMG they are BEST BUDS ;D What our poor dog has put up with OMG LOLOL over the years as Chris was hmmmm lets say a bit active and there were days even Goldie had to hide from him, LOLOL Retriever's are GREAT dogs in my opinion ;D CC ~ |
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Post by momofrussell on Dec 14, 2004 19:50:43 GMT -5
You know.. that is really cool! What made you decide to get a service dog? I really never thought about it before but that is definately something I may look into when Russell is older.
Very neat!!!! And yes, Retrievers are wonderful dogs. And I don't like dogs and I can say that! LOL... I will check out the link.
Enjoy the dog!!!!
A.
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I had applied for a companion dog for Adam with the National Service Dogs and they have one ready for adoption. 
) great. 
