A Service Dog Life: From Puppy to Service Animal

by Kimberly Kiely

Overview

This book will become a valuable tool for parents, teachers, and educators for the future development of the ADA culture. Educational materials do not provide necessary information to educate people, especially young children, the importance and great abilities service animals provide their handlers. New vocabulary is introduced, and dog commands are typed in capital letters to guide the reader in the necessity of one-word commands for a service animal. I wrote this book based on the fact that after becoming permanently disabled, I needed a service dog. I was trying to find books to introduce the idea to my family and especially my young son. There were not a lot of books available to explain the situation of bringing a service dog into a home to help with disabilities. I further became aware that there were even less materials available that mentioned any aid beyond using a wheelchair or being blind. Where were the books to explain to people and their children the need for service animals for people that can be visually and not visually seen as having a disability? Therefore, it led me to believe that I should write a book that shows that there are many needs for service dogs and service animals for many different people. Service dogs and service animals serve a great purpose to many individuals for many different reasons.

Product Details

ISBN-13:	9781546202578
Publisher:	AuthorHouse
Publication date:	08/01/2017
Sold by:	Barnes & Noble
Format:	eBook
Pages:	30
File size:	10 MB

About the Author

I am a 41 year old young woman that at a very young age had many neurological and skeletal issues that always went unexplained. I went through life not knowing anything else but the pain I suffered daily and that it was only getting worse. No doctor could give me any reasons for my conditions but were always willing to give me different prescription cocktails to aid the pain to go along in my daily life. I graduated high school with honors and went on to get a Bachelor Degree in Business and Advertising and after a short successful career I decided to changed course by getting my Master Degree in Special Education K-12. Where I taught for 11 years. As of 2008 I could no longer deny my body could no longer keep up with me and what I wanted to do in life. I was fortunate to have my husband to support me and encourage me to do what I needed to do to have a quality life. So I stopped working out of necessity and after some years had passed I eventually signed up for the rigorous endeavor of getting Social Security Disability Benefits. That took 4 years once I had finally admitted I was in need of the support to help my family. My husband and I also looked for other ways for me to be more independent because I was barely leaving the house unless it was with him because I had fallen a few times in public and had problems being on my own. So we decided to get a Service Dog to be my go to helper and give me back some of my independence. I decided to write this book to educate all ages, especially the young that Service Animals are not a crutch but a gift. To get back to a life we can achieve given with our limitations/needs. Not every ones limitations or needs are the same. A Service Animal does not make you everything you wanted to be and do, but it stops you from losing who you still are as an individual and gives you hope and your pride back. Jäger is now my sidekick buddy and now I can’t imagine not having him to rely on.

Read an Excerpt

CHAPTER 1

Let Me Introduce Myself

My name is Jäger Von Schatten III. (yey-ger von Schat•ten) Because I am a German Shepherd I was given a German name, but my name in English means Hunter of Shadows. I think that is so cool, because it's very me. I love to pounce on shadows when I see them on the floor and I hide in them when I play outside. I am a German Shepherd dog that went to Service Dog School at 14 months old after living with my family from puppyhood. I was taught the beginnings of soft retrieval, some socialization and basic skills to aide my handler. I came home from Service Dog School at 17 months old where my Service Dog training was to be expanded and practiced daily with my handler to further my training and fine tune my capabilities and handler bond to make me the best Service Dog I could be.

My father was a K-9 Police Dog, my grandfather was a Personal Protection Dog and my grandmother was a Drug Detection Dog. I came from a long bloodline of strong working service dogs, going back to Germany. I am only 3rd generation American on my father's side because those owners were trying to breed out some of the working dog aggressiveness but keep the strength, intelligence and work ethic of the German Shepherd. I came out a perfect true Bi-Color, which is a recessive trait color, just like my paternal grandfather. The Tennessee breeder who owned my mother was so impressed with the litter I came from she bought my paternal grandfather who was retiring to breed him with her other dog and try to keep the litter as close to the European German Shepherd lineage as possible. European German Shepherds are different than American bred ones. That's why I am boxier in body type and have no slope of my back legs, which means my bone structure is stronger and healthier.

CHAPTER 2

My Puppy Days

As a 13 week old puppy I flew to Long Island, New York from a breeder in Tennessee. It was a long trip. I was nervous and excited at the same time. When I got to my new home I had to adjust to life with my new dog sisters and brother. They were 2 Maltese and 1 Havanese. They were all smaller than me. At 13 weeks old I was 24 pounds, which was bigger than all 3 of their combined weights.

I was trained to be a Service Dog for my Handler, my human Mommy. My mommy suffers from different disabilities that leave her unable to pick things up off the ground. She can't carry things more than 5 pounds for more than a few minutes. She also has equilibrium problems which cause her to lose her balance and fall and she needs help to get up. She relies on me to pick things up that she may drop due to loss of strength in her arms and hands. I carry side satchels on my Service Dog Vest with all her immediate needs; I am like her walking pocketbook. I also offer her a stable object to lean on to get up off the ground by bracing myself and the BRACE command also enables her something to lean on and help support her as she goes up and down stairs. I offer her support, comfort and independence when it's just the two of us. We are a team.

CHAPTER 3

My Support Activities

After learning soft retrieval on a wooden dowel stick at Service Dog School to improve my soft pick up and not to chew or bite heavily down on objects, I came home to learn to pick up a large amount of objects around the house that were different shapes, textures, sizes, materials, and weights. I began with Mommy's cell phone. And then to pick up my E-Collar Controller in case Mommy dropped it.

I went on to pick up remotes, cordless phones, bottles of medication, keys and more.

The more difficult items were the metallic ones. Most dogs do not like the taste of metal in our mouths. But after much practice I learned to handle metallic items as well, most importantly Mommy's keys.

I became fantastic with the TAKE IT command, the command to pick up whatever Mommy points to. Picking up things with weird textures or of any weight took more practice, but before long I could pick up Mommy's nail file or a flashlight. I was trying my best and working well with my Handler, AKA Mommy.

I moved on to flat objects which are very difficult because it is hard for dogs to get our mouths around things flat on the ground and sometimes requires some use of my front paws like hands to raise the object up a little to get my mouth on it. We practiced credit cards, coins, and paper.

My Handler, Mommy, decided it was time to try practicing with more expensive small items which she easily can drop and would need me to pick up. This was a task that required me to hold in my mouth jewelry items without damaging, chewing or by mistake swallowing. I practiced with Mommy everyday and soon she trusted me to pick up her rings, earrings, necklaces and watches. She tells me UP onto the bed and DROP IT, before telling me OFF.

Then we expanded my TAKE IT command to most everything in the house to maintain my ability and allow me to find comfort in picking up many different items. Pens, bottle caps, toothpaste tubes, water bottles, silverware, cups, and many other assorted items. My Mommy knew that I needed to have the confidence to pick up anything at any point in time wherever we were.

When Mommy gives the BRACE command I help Mommy up and down the steps as needed bracing myself to offer her support. I also do the same thing to help her off the floor. I stay steady and serve as something to support her and to lean on.

CHAPTER 4

My Socialization

It was hard getting socialized since I only knew home as a puppy, Service Dog School and then came home again to master my TAKE IT and BRACE commands.

I wasn't socialized much as a puppy because dogs aren't allowed into most places, especially puppies still learning their basic training, including potty training. And as I got bigger fast, businesses have no dogs allowed policies as well. Service Dog School did not focus on socialization during my training.

My real socialization started after I came home with my Service Dog Vest, which allowed me to go anywhere my Handler went. This was another task for Mommy and me to work on as much as possible to help me get used to the world around me. I had to learn how to handle all the noises, smells and activities of the outside world and not to be scared as long as Mommy was with me by my side and in control. We were to become each other's support system.

CHAPTER 5

Letting Mommy be in Control

Because my Mommy is disabled and I am so strong I always want to take charge of a situation, like walking. Even though I had no problem with this command with a man, I was protective of Mommy and was mistaking her weak body for a weak demeanor. I had to learn that even with Mommy, HEEL meant to walk beside her and let her lead. Mommy had to take control using the E-Collar device to tell me NO if I started to lead her and command me to HEEL and submit to her, to walk slower and follow her.

CHAPTER 6

Meeting New People

I am a working dog now and most people forget that I am very busy and don't have time for petting and saying hello unless my Mommy says it's ok. When they don't ask and start to come over to me like I am a pet it distracts me from my job and makes training for Mommy and me more difficult. I am a doggie with a job and need that respect from others so I can be the best support to my Mommy.

CHAPTER 7

Who's Service Dog Am I?

I always hear people asking Mommy who am I a Service Dog for. Well for Mommy of course. I don't know why they ask such a question. Disabilities are not always seen on the outside. I think most people think if you're not in a wheelchair or blind, why do you need a Support Dog. Many people suffer from disabilities that aren't visible on the outside, like my Mommy. She has a body that looks ok from the outside, but doesn't always want to cooperate with what it needs to do. That's why I am here to help her. There are many other disabilities that are not visible. Service Dogs come in very handy to those people in need. Like people with epilepsy, diabetes and many other hidden disabilities people can't see just by looking at a person. So I always think it's silly when people ask Mommy who I am a Service Dog for. I am a Service Dog for my Mommy.

CHAPTER 8

I Need to Be a Neat Dog

My Mommy has taught me to put away my toys after play time because she can't go around and pick up after me. So we have made clean up time a task after playtime. She tells me to TAKE an item and HOLD it and then says AWAY. That means I have to put it in my toy box. So we do this action all around the yard or in the house until all my toys are either in my inside or outside toy boxes. My mommy loves to let me play and have fun, but she also knows it's important that I clean up after myself with her commands. This way I get to play more because I stay a neat dog. I also have to be a good boy at the groomer so I smell nice and clean all the time.

CHAPTER 9

Potty Time

I continue to be a neat and tidy dog to help Mommy by going potty only in my Potty Pen, which Mommy designed just for me and Daddy built it for me. I go in one spot in the yard and no where else. This makes clean up easy and my family's yard inviting and fun. She has even trained me to go pee pee and poo poo before we are going out for the day. She shows me my work vest and tells me POTTY until I have done both. I know that this is a good idea so I can concentrate on Mommy when we are out. So besides my normal potty times, I have ones that need to be on demand so I'm ready to go to work.

CHAPTER 10

My New World

My first restaurant was great with all of Mommy's friends and their husbands. They all got to meet the new me in my Service Dog Job. I whined a little because it was very busy and very noisy, but eventually I settled down and relaxed after Mommy gave me the SIT and DOWN commands a few times. My Mommy was very proud of me because for my first time in a restaurant I had lain down for over 2 hours and was on my best behavior only whining sometimes. Where ever we are out to eat I sit or lay under the table so I am out of everyone's way and close to Mommy.

This is where Mommy began to use the QUIET command when I get too whiny and antsy. Sometimes lying around is boring, but I have to not be loud and disruptive in public places.

I go to many places with different experiences at them all. New places are always scary at first; there are new smells, new people and new sounds. I'm glad Mommy is always with me to make me feel that everything is ok. Once I've been to a place a few times I get used to everything and the people there get used to me. Sometimes they say hello to me and Mommy, but they know not to pet me because I am busy working for Mommy. Other people around look at me with Mommy, they know not to pet or distract a SERVICE DOG when they are on the job. You should always ask the HANDLER if it is ok to pet a SERVICE DOG. Please don't be sad if they say no, it is just so SERVICE DOGs like me don't get distracted from our duties.

When a SERVICE DOG is working they are on the job and they are not a pet or to be played with. I've been to the bank, which I don't like much and I whine a lot due to the echo in the building from it having such high ceilings. But I'm getting better. The tellers at the bank always give me a dog biscuit when we are ready to leave.

I like the local deli and I am always on my best behavior, hoping Mommy will get me one of the things there that smell so good. I always look around but I never touch anything, otherwise Mommy would just tell me to LEAVE IT.

I always help drop off and pick up Mommy's son Thomas at the bus stop. I love the short walk to the bus stop and seeing all the kids.

I always wear my seatbelt in the car. Safety always comes first. I must always be good in the car so Mommy can concentrate on driving. I like looking out the window; I love to look around at all the people and the vehicles.

I've been to the pharmacy to help Mommy pick up her medicine. I even carry the bag to the car for her.

Of course I am always welcomed at my Veterinarian's office, even if I don't always want to be there. Dogs need their shots and good care and yearly exams. Mommy wants to keep me a healthy SERVICE DOG.

I go to doctor visits with Mommy all the time. I am always expected to behave as a good SERVICE DOG, but sometimes I don't like all the moving around in the rooms and all the activity around Mommy. I get whiny and upset, but again Mommy has to give me the QUIET command and reassure me that everything is ok. The more I go to the same doctors over and over I get more used to their routine, but when new doctor routines pop up, I am the first to show my unhappiness by whining. I always want to make sure Mommy is ok; she is my priority after all.

I went to a movie with Mommy and Daddy. I was very good in a loud place. I only got antsy a few times. I stayed QUIET in the DOWN position for 3 hours and almost fell asleep.

I went to my first PTA meeting for Thomas with Mommy. There were a lot of people all over the place and so much commotion with all the kids running around. Finally it was time to be super QUIET, a command that is practiced every time I go anywhere. It was so hard because I was very nervous and overwhelmed. Mommy stuck with the commands and carried through because I'm not going to learn how to behave in every environment by leaving a situation. I must learn to adjust and behave.

I am still learning and always trying my best. It is a lot to learn, as all of this training has happened in just one year. Mommy and I have been very busy practicing commands and advancing my SERVICE DOG abilities.

My socialization is ongoing and nonstop because there are so many places to go and things to see. I will only get better as I practice with my Handler, Mommy.

CHAPTER 11

My Favorite Time

When we are home Mommy takes my work vest off of me so I can relax, but I am always on duty. Every hour of every day I am by Mommy's side to help her when she needs me or nearby that I can hear her call me. I love to play outside with her son and run around with the other dogs. My favorite game is to play fetch. I especially like when Mommy sits back in her comfy chair and I lay in my dog bed beside her and we watch television. I love to take naps and dream doggie dreams.

(Continues…)

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Excerpted from "A Service Dog Life"
by .
Copyright © 2017 Kimberly Kiely.
Excerpted by permission of AuthorHouse.
All rights reserved. No part of this excerpt may be reproduced or reprinted without permission in writing from the publisher.
Excerpts are provided by Dial-A-Book Inc. solely for the personal use of visitors to this web site.

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Table of Contents

About the Author, 1,
Let Me Introduce Myself, 2,
My Puppy Days, 3,
My Support Activities, 4,
My Socialization, 9,
Letting Mommy be in Control, 10,
Meeting New People, 10,
Who's Service Dog Am I?, 11,
I Need to Be a Neat Dog, 12,
Potty Time, 13,
My New World, 14,
My Favorite Time, 20,
My Commands, 22,
Vocabulary, 23,