As a new retailer of pet collars, dog clothes, cat beds, pet harnesses and other supplies, I spend a great deal of my time thinking about the joy of being a Pet Parent and how I can enhance that experience for others. In this heightened awareness of pets, I seem to be finding wonderful stories about how pets help humans.
I have previously written about David Sharpe and Cheyenne, and their Pet2Vet program for therapy dogs. Tonight, December 5, 2010, Nickelodeon is presenting a story on the Nick News Special Edition called, "Good Dog." It is a story by Linda Ellerbee on children who have service dogs who discuss their experiences. In today's Akron Beacon Journal, columnist R.D. Heldenfels profiles a local family with two boys who have Asperger's syndrome, a form of autism, and their service dog, Blue. http://www.ohio.com/entertainment/111340919.html
Service Dogs have been thought of for use with people who are blind. This article in the ABJ and the story tonight on Nickelodeon are about Service Dogs who work with a wider range of uses from a boy with a severe food allergy and another working with a young man with Down syndrome.
Blue is a stunningly beautiful white standard poodle who was trained as a puppy to be a service dog. The two Lonzer boys, Josiah and Ryan display both have Asperger's, which is an autism-spectrum disorder that affects social and communication skills. The North Star Foundation placed Blue with the Lonzer boys. http://www.northstardogs.com/
Now that Josiah is in college, Blue is helping Ryan with his eye contact, a frequent problem with persons with autism. According to Mrs. Lonzer, since poodles do not fit the sterotype of a service dog, people comment on how attractive Blue is, and Ryan is encouraged to talk to others and make eye contact.
I will be doing more research into service dogs, as I am with therapy dogs, and appreciate any comments. By the way, best wishes to Max, my friend Jessica Vinson's therapy dog, as he is re-certified today.
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