Sunday, October 28, 2012

Hurricane Sandy Can't Stop CCI!

  

   Hurricane Sandy, you cannot stop us determined (and stubborn) handicap peeps!  Eight of us were invited to team training, and eight of us drove to CCI's campus on Long Island from New Hampshire, Massachusetts, and New Jersey.  While all of our kids and grandkids probably do not have school due to this "perfect storm," we will be ready to learn.  One of the teams that drove down from New Hampshire today, took the ferry from CT to Long Island.  While a cool idea, not so cool when the hour and fifteen minute boat ride was bobbing and weaving in the waves.  I am very glad I drove around the sound even though I hit heavy traffic at the Throgs Neck Bridge going onto Long Island.
     Once I drove onto CCI's campus and settled into my room, I finally relaxed a little.  The staff here made us dinner and gave us a tour of the facility.  Since this team training is a bit out of the ordinary, we were given instructions and reassurance with regards to this superstorm, Hurricane Sandy.  The building is built like a fortress and the facility is on a priority list for getting power back due to the handicap nature of the people staying here.  CCI has never been without power for longer than 24 hours.  (That is till now, since I am here, and everyone knows how my luck works! lol) Yippee!
     My wait is finally over as I begin journey to taking home a service dog.  Monday morning will be all lectures and what to expect. Monday afternoon we get to meet some of the dogs.  Wednesday morning is when we are paired with our actual dogs. The staff bases their pairings on personalities as well as how the human and canine bond.
    If you have any questions while I am on this adventure, please feel free to comment. :o) I will continue to blog every night, although I may not be able to post depending on the power situation, but i will post them when i have access to the internet again.  Have fun taking this spectacular journey with me!



Thursday, October 25, 2012

Odin, Finally Retires!


     Odin is my wonder dog, my retired service dog, and that once-in-a-lifetime dog.  Selfishly, I have decided he should live forever. Odin turned 9 years young this past August,but has touched many, many people's souls. When I was working, Odin was named mental health counselor by my coworkers.  He also kept me working until my legs decided thy did not want to work properly anymore.  Odin has earned his retirement; although, as I type this on my iPad, he is being used as a table while he naps.  This proves he will never be 100% retired, only 99%. :o)
     My family adopted Odin at the Connecticut Humane Society at 18 months old. (More accurately, he adopted us.) I was wondering around the kennels, when I saw this yellow block headed Labrador retriever keeping an eye me.  When I met him face to face, his gentle nature and an instant connection won me over.  The next day, Odin officially joined our family.  He has always been a gentleman, never having an accident in the house, never stealing food off counters and always wanting to please
his humans.
     Fast forward a few years and I began to have problem with muscle coordination in my legs.  Stumbling, falling, and muscle pain was part of my daily repertoire. When I fell in the house, Odin was right there. His big brown eyes screaming he wanted to help.  Inspired by seeing other service dogs, I trained Odin to stand and brace to help me off the floor.  Soon he was walking next to me going up and down stairs, I could lean on him a little if I listed off balance.  The only command he could not grasp was picking up dropped items.  Odin would become so excited and proud of himself, he would flip the object out if his mouth and behund his head. lol. Regardless, This yellow lab kept me working to the bitter end.
     While working, another more nurturing side developed in Odin.  We would walk in at the beginning of shift, he would immediately go over and sit next to the coworker who was the most emotionally distressed.  In the veterinary field, especially in emergency, we techs and doctors can have some very challenging days.  My coworkers would go sit with Odin on his blanket if they needed some extra cuddle time or positive vibes.  He also managed to turn one of my cat-loving docs, into an Odin and cat-loving doc.  (This canine not only touched humans, but also was a blood donor up until a few weeks ago.  He has helped several other dogs recover from critical surgeries and life-threatening diseases.) Even now, wherever we visit, Odin will lay down or sit next to the person he feels needs some positive reinforcement.
     As I venture out to learn how CCI's service dogs can help me out, Odin will forever have a special place that is part of my soul.  He selflessly gave himself to me.  Odin never asked for anything in return (except food, after all he is a lab).  As he naps and I continue to type, using him as a table, I can only look at him with a heart full of love and the hope that this special dog will live forever.

Wednesday, October 24, 2012

3 Days to Training!



In  three days, I begin an incredible opportunity to train for a service dog.  Canine Companions for Independence (or CCI for short) has provided specially trained retrievers for the physically disabled since the 70s.  The founder of CCI was working in third world countries and observed how the physically disabled would lean and depend on their donkeys for support.  Decidedly, donkeys aren't the cleanest of animals; so, the founder brainstormed and observed how selflessly canines would work for their humans.

From working in the veterinary field for over twelve years, I have come across these well-behaved and trusting animals a few times.... a vet tech's dream to work with! CCI uses positive reinforcement and treats, if needed, to train.  At the end of their training, a dog will know over 40 commands.  I have had the pleasure of witnessing these golden/lab crosses performing awesome tasks, such as pulling a manual wheelchair, turning on/off light switches, opening doors, fetching a bottle of water from the fridge, helping a human partner take off socks or a jacket; and most importantly, emotionally build ones confidence to join a judgemental society again. I am still in disbelief that, one of these wonderful dogs will soon be helping ME with all that, plus more! (As a side note, I am still in disbelief that I am handicapped to such a degree, that a service dog would be such a help, but that is another blog!)

In three days, I leave my family for two weeks to go to school at CCI's campus in Medford, NY. I will be in lectures and training sessions from 9am to about 5pm.  My Mom and I went grocery shopping for my dorm stay and it was tremendous throw back to my college days (which occurred a looooooong, loooooooong time ago).  My intention is to bring you along my journey of training and hopefully bringing a new partner home.  Everyday I will blog an update of my day and how things are progressing.  If you should decide to follow me, welcome!  :o)