Annual Report 2007 - Page 2
Dogs in Training
Job defined.
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Katie with Michael |
*Ben - fun-loving yellow Labrador retriever is being trained as a mobility replacement dog for one of our Certified Handlers.
*Muffet – a young black Labrador retriever (and Ben’s Mother) is being trained as TLCAD’s first autism dog.
*Katie – a yellow Labrador retriever will be placed as a Seizure Response dog for a local college student.
Puppies in Training
Their 'jobs' will be determined as they mature.
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Libby out on a
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Casino La Marka Poodles |
*Libby, a Golden Retriever, began training early this year. She is very bright and a quick learner.
*Casino, a gentle silver Standard Poodle, began training this summer.
*Matty, a charcoal Labra-doodle, is our first dog of this breed. We have high hopes for him.
*Tuxedo, a black Standard Poodle, has already taken Ziggy’s place at the San Diego Appellate Court for his training.
Other 2006 - 2007 Highlights
We are proud to receive international accreditation by Assistance Dogs International, Inc.
Assistance Dogs International, Inc. (ADI) is a coalition of not-for-profit organizations that train and place Assistance Dogs. The purpose of ADI is to improve the areas of training, placement, and utilization of Assistance Dogs as well as staff and volunteer education. Members of ADI meet annually to share ideas, attend seminars, and conduct business regarding such things as educating the public about Assistance Dogs and the legal rights of people with disabilities partnered with Assistance Dogs, setting standards and establishing guidelines and ethics for the training of these dogs, and improving the utilization and bonding of each team.
TLCAD Training Program is in Place at the State Appellate Court in San Diego
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Ziggy |
By Ellen Siemens, Judicial Assistant to Associate Justice Joan K. Irion, Fourth District Court of Appeal training program has been in place at the State Appellate Court in San Diego since April 2007. The court staff has been enthusiastically supportive from the beginning. Of specific note is a standard poodle, Ziggy, who was first presented to the court as "one of TLCAD's invisible dogs" (i.e., only making his presence known in the workplace when he is asked to do something).
Ziggy has actively participated with clerks, legal staff and judges, using, among others, his essential cues to "look," "get" and "bring" fallen objects. He also will "take" a document and "deliver" it personally, or if requested, will "put" it "up" on a desk or counter. On trips to the post office Ziggy is able to "tug" incoming mail from a box, or "carry" outgoing mail and "put" it on the postal clerk's counter, or indeed into a mailbox! This type of personal interaction inside and outside the home/office — which is the eventual function the dog will provide to his disabled owner — results in great joy for all involved.
Here at the court, there has been a very positive impact on our already pleasant office morale, and (good news travels fast) we hear there is a waiting list for court staff at other state courts who want to participate in similar programs.
