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Susquehanna Service Dogs
Presenters Tiana Kelly
2016 MU Grad, Psychology, Sociology Attending Fairleigh Dickinson University, M.A. Former Intern for Susquehanna Service Dogs Volunteer, Puppy raiser/trainer for
Susquehanna Service Dogs (SSD) Raised SSD Pinella, the first service dog raised at
Millersville, in the 2015-2016 academic year.
Brian Kirn Puppy raiser/trainer for SSD
Currently raising SSD Martin . . .
Meet The Pups SSD Martin (In-training)
Born: July 2, 2016 Litter Theme: “Birds”
Cues I can do: Sit, Down, Stay(In Progress), Get Busy, Go to bed, Stand (In Progress)
Things I like: Shoes, Meeting new people, Walks to interesting places like the pond, Finding new and interesting places to sleep, and training
Fun Facts About Me: My dad is currently a guide dog from the Guide Dog Foundation
Meet The Pups
Born: Sept. 21, 2015 Litter Theme: “From the Vineyards”
Cues I can do: sit, stay, down, leave it, come, visit, lap, go to bed, stand, play retrieve, get busy (verbal and nonverbal), okay, kennel, off, easy, go on through, paw
Things I like: belly rubs, peanut butter, playing with other dogs, greeting children, playing tug, walks and hikes, chewing on my bones after a long day!
Fun Facts About Me: I was the first ever SSD puppy to be raised in a college residence hall AND first puppy to ever be raised at MU!
SSD Pinella (Released )
(SSD) Service Dogs In-Training at Millersville
SSD Pinella (released)
SSD Martin
SSD Eagle
SSD Jafar
SSD Helix
What is a Service Dog? A service dog is professionally trained to
do work or perform cues that enhance their partner’s life, assisting them to be more independent. The tasks performed
should benefit an individual with a disability, including a physical, sensory, psychiatric, intellectual, or other mental
disability. The service dog should meet the definition of “service animal” under the
Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA).
How can a Service Dog Help Someone Live More Independently?
Open and close doors Retrieve items (keys, credit cards, remotes, soup cans, loose
change, a telephone, etc.) Pull a manual wheelchair Balance work Turn light switches on and off Respond to different sounds (fire alarms, doorbell, oven timer,
alarm clock, telephone, person’s name) Provide companionship Alert to symptoms of anxiety Blocking Provide pressure on lap (calming effect; ASD, PTSD) Seizure response (NOT Alert) Etc.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pilivUXoFf0 https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kQHX56QWoSc
SSD Sabor experiencing new sights and surfaces!
Who is Susquehanna Service Dogs? Nonprofit organization located in Grantville, PA
Fully accredited member of Assistance Dogs International
Founded in 1993; 223 service dog teams as of Oct. ‘13
Trains and provides service dogs to assist children and adults with mental and/or physical disabilities to become more independent.
SSD Hotrod demonstrating “down.”
Who Can Service Dogs Assist? Men, women, & children of all ages:
Spinal cord injuries Children testifying in Court Cerebral Palsy Autism Spectrum Disorder Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder Veterans Muscular Dystrophy Arthritis Diabetes Polio Stroke Balance Issues Hearing Impairments Etc.
SSD Jubilee works as an in-home companion dog!
SSD Tadpole, a certified working dog, demonstrates his ability to tolerate silly hats and birthday
bows!
Some Examples of Service Dogs
Facility (Courts, schools) Companion CIA Balance Hearing Psychiatric In-home (no public access) [Career change dogs]
SSD Maya just began working at Lampeter-
Strasburg School!
SSD Fahrenheit & SSD Buster work at York Co.
Courthouse!
SSD Luna works as an in-home
companion dog!
SSD Aunt Nancy and Thor are working dogs
for the CIA! !
What Does it Take for a Dog to Become a Service Dog?
Low Maintenance (Labradors)
Excellent manners, basic obedience, good social behavior, respond to verbal and nonverbal cues
Temperament Tests (calm, patient, low prey drive, etc.)
Evaluations (Class evals., one year evals.)
Public Outings, Public Access Tests
Advanced Training
Meet the Dogs
Team Training SSD Kiwi demonstrates basic obedience, great social behavior, and excellent attention on her handler!
Service Dog Etiquette Refrain from petting (you should always
ask permission before petting ANY dog!)
Refrain from feeding (Service dogs get plenty of treats from their handlers )
Do not distract a working dog or their partner
Talk to the HUMAN partner (please, let the dog focus on his/her handler!)
Do not ask the individual “What is wrong with you?” (Federal law protects the privacy of these individuals)
Recognize that, under ADA, a service dog does not need to wear a vest in public!
SSD Izzy (in-training) pictured with his handler,
Doug!
Paving The Way… MU Process Don’t Scam the Service Dog System
Just Because You Love Being With Your Pet: http://fusion.net/story/352592/dont-get-a-fake-service-dog/?utm_source=facebook&utm_medium=CPC
&utm_campaign=CK&utm_content=CK-FUS-TRF-PV01-FB-FBLP-FKW-US-MED2-BO-18p-J12
A Girl and Her Service Dog Head to the Supreme Court: http://
www.npr.org/2016/10/31/499876610/a-girl-and-her-service-dog-head-to-the-supreme-court?utm_source=facebook.com&utm_medium=social&utm_campaign=npr&utm_term=nprnews&utm_content=2057
What does all of this mean? We have a duty and a moral obligation as future professionals to pave the way and
advocate for our future students, clients, friends, family, etc. who need or have a service dog!
Education is key! "In the last few years, the questions and the looks I get have radically changed," Peter says. "Now wherever I go, I see fraudulent service dogs. I have been kicked
out of businesses because employees think I'm an imposter." -Peter, Canine Companions for Independence
Legitimate service dog vests will often have the training organizations logo on it much like this vest for puppies in-training!
How Can You Get Involved? Become a puppy raiser or sitter!
Host or assist with a fundraiser! (bake sale, business sponsor, Walk for a Healthy Community)
Raise awareness via community outreach (advocate, recruit puppy raisers, make fleece tug toys, become a service dog demonstration team, request a demonstration)
Kennel Assistance (groom dogs, etc.)
Puppy hugging (socialize 8-wk. pups through play, cuddles, and hugs!)
Assist with general administrative tasks at SSD
Internship Opportunities
And again, become a puppy raiser or sitter!!
What is Puppy Raising? 8 Weeks until 15-18 months:
Train on basic cues, Socialize your puppy with many different stimuli Take puppy into public places OFTEN Answer questions that people have about getting involved with
SSD, what it means to train/raise, etc. Be a reputable ambassador for SSD Give LOTS of puppy snuggles
Commitment: First 9 weeks: attend class weekly at SSD (Grantville) Classes thereafter: 2x/month Accompany puppy to vet appointments (Palmyra)
Costs Associated: FREE to raise an SSD puppy (no vet bills) Responsible for: food costs, toys, treats, mileage Tax deductible
Who Can Become a Puppy Raiser?How Do I Get Started?
Anyone who: Is passionate about volunteerism Desires to serve as an advocate for individuals with disabilities Loves dogs, has a willingness to learn, is patient, and has the
time and dedication to devote to raising/training.
Getting Started: Apply at:
https://www.keystonehumanservices.org/susquehanna-service-dogs/fosterFamilyApp.php
Attend a volunteer orientation class (3 hrs.) Attend a puppy class (1 hr.) Have a home interview conducted (30m.-1hr.) Attend puppy pick-up class (1 hr.- 1½ hr.)
SSD Riesling training at
ZooAmerica!
But…How Will I Give The Puppy Up?
The best answer is: You Just Do! Remember: You sign up to raise and train a
puppy, NOT raise, train, and keep a puppy!
You’re training these dogs to become “professionals” who work to help deserving individuals lead more independent lives!
These 5 SSD dogs were recently placed with their partners and are now
working dogs!
How Do The Dogs Feel? Research indicates that most dogs, (especially
labradors) love to work! They find it fun and are eager to learn. Still don’t believe me? Try a shaping exercise!
SSD is VERY cognizant of the fact that not all dogs are cut out for service dog work. When this happens, dogs may have career changes or be released from the program entirely, becoming full-time pets for a loving family.
Bottom Line: SSD lets every dog decide if service work is for them. If a dog is released or has a career change, that is not a bad thing…it simply means the dog has plans for him/herself other than service work. Pinella, released around her 1st
birthday for stress, now serves as a loveable ambassador for SSD, educating the public about service dogs and student raisers!
Perspectives From a Student Raiser Provides structure, Feelings of self-worth, Felt better acclimated to the University, Development of new perspectives, Challenging, but THE MOST rewarding
experience I’ve ever underwent
These SSD dogs are being raised by Dickinson College
students!These SSD dogs are being
raised by Penn State students! SSD Pinella paved the way for current student raisers at MU!
Want to Learn or See More? Visit http://www.keystonehumanservices.org/susquehanna-service-dogs
/ for more information!
Check out MU’s NEW Service and Assistance/Emotional Support Animal Policy! http://blogs.millersville.edu/news/2016/09/28/new-service-and-assistanceemotional-support-animal-policy/
“Like” Susquehanna Service Dogs on Facebook
“Follow” Susquehanna Service Dogs on Twitter
Contact me ANYTIME with questions : [email protected] or [email protected]
Thank you! Comments? Questions?
