Meet SSD Brickle, Puppy in Training

Do you remember SSD Brickle? She’s one of the Ice Cream Puppies that were born April 18, 2013. She’s now living with her puppy raisers.

Brickle is the first puppy Cindy and her husband are raising for SSD, although they have been puppy owners before. Pair that experience with the SSD classes they took before getting Brickle, and they felt confident that they could raise a puppy. “We enthusiastically began this project, and after one month, it has been both fun and frustrating,” said Cindy. “Brickle is a puppy, and she can be challenging and strong-willed, but then again, she is so loving and intelligent that it is easy to forget that she is a baby just learning,”

Brickle is still a puppy, so she’s easily distractible. She can have a mind of her own on walks and in puppy class. She loves playing with her brothers and sisters and the other puppies in class, so Cindy tries to keep her working and busy during puppy class so she stays focused. That’s one time when the power treats come out—hot dogs!

In puppy class, we’ve been working on puppy zen, an important part of “leave it.” “I’m so proud of her,” said Cindy. “She looks at the treat and my hand and then at me. She waits until I say ‘okay,’ and then I give her a treat.”

Brickle has also been doing great with the “go to bed” cue, where the dog goes to a designated blanket, towel, or dog bed, lies down, and stays there. When Cindy put the towel on the floor, she was amazed by how quickly Brickle figured out what to do. First, Cindy clicked and treated her for just looking at the towel, and then she waited until Brickle moved toward it. Brickle did a great job figuring out what the next steps were.

Recently, they went hiking. Brickle loved it! They ran along the path. There was a stream nearby, so Brickle go to go for a swim. Each time, she quickly came back to shore and her puppy raisers.

SSD Brickle is at the very beginning of her journey to becoming a service dog. We’re excited to watch her grow and learn more!

Joan and Jagger: Weather Aficionados

Guest post by Joan T. and her service dog, SSD Jagger

I wanted to take a little getaway to see how I would fare camping. I’m a KOA member and there is a campground near Bellefonte. This would be Jagger’s and my third camping trip together, and our first one this year.

Having Jagger with me on this camping trip helped me get up in the morning. The stiffness is pretty bad for me. We both walked a good deal. Without him there to balance and “catch” me a few times, it could have been disastrous.

I’m interested in all types of earth science, from the skies at night to the weather, especially when camping in a tent. I’m a registered weather spotter for the National Weather Service, as well as a storm chaser in PA. I knew AccuWeather was located in State College and decided to contact a Facebook acquaintance to see if I could get a tour. I did let them know I have a service dog. They asked me if I needed any special accommodations, for me or for the dog, and I replied, “Nope, he walks right along with me.” And he did—when he wasn’t taking a rest on the weather-themed floor.

We saw where the weather forecasts are produced and televised, the huge computer banks, and the main floor where it all happens. It was a busy place, but I did see some heads turn as we walked by—and some conversations stopped momentarily! Jagger was only too happy to give “doggie therapy” on a couple of occasions. I don’t know what Jagger thought of the tour, but I enjoyed it. I think he liked the K9 park at the campground a lot better.

Changing Lives—Building a Relationship

Guest post by Robin R. about her service dog, SSD Lynsey

We changed each other’s lives, really.

This is the story of a Labrador retriever whose owner had died and who had “kind of” been left on her own. No one wanted her. She was overweight, alone, sad, and ill. I was underweight, alone, sad, and also ill. Because of a stroke of fate, for which we would both always be grateful, we ended up together.

At first, there was trouble. I was being dragged all over the place by the leash. Lynsey has picked up bad habits from neglect, and there were lots and lots of hair and spitcicles. But one day, after many hours of hard work, she started to pay attention, and I found love, safety, and companionship. A true relationship began to develop.

One day, I inexplicably found myself looking at the room upside down. I realized I was on the floor, wondering why a smelly walrus with prickly whiskers was licking my face! The realization finally dawned that I had passed out and the walrus was my dog who was trying to wake me up! Lynsey went and got the telephone and sat patiently as I waited for the world to right itself again.

It was the beginning of a team. I had become quite reclusive, but with Lynsey by my side, I began to go to the grocery store, the mall, movies, and even an occasional restaurant again. Lynsey even go the chance, to her great joy, to find out that she was a water dog—and a retrieving one at that—when she saw her first lake at age five. We had a reason to get up in the morning and a reason to love again. Our lives were changed profoundly.

In one of life’s moments that seem to make no sense at all, Lynsey because very ill suddenly and passed away within only one week. I have been told that the bed she now sleep on is a cloud turned inside out by God, and that she turned round and round in until it was just right. She’s in a place with many friends to play with in forever green fields. I can live with that. However, I will never forget one of the greatest gifts I have ever received.

Rest in peace, beautiful girl. You changed my life forever.  

Down on the Orchard

With all of the rain and humid weather that we had a week ago, the weeds in Jim and Donna’s orchard have taken off. They generally maintain them by hand, or using a hoe or weed mower, but to save time, they decided to look into a burner. A farm in Lancaster uses a flame burner, and Donna and Jim took Irwin along when they visited to check it out.

At the Lancaster farm, Donna and Irwin followed behind the tractor and propane burner, careful to keep some distance between them and the tree row that was being burned. 

“Quite frankly, I was a bit afraid, thinking it was going to be flames and fire,” said Donna. “It wasn’t scary, though, although it did throw a good bit of heat, and you could smell the burning grass and weeds and the smoke.”

Because it was a potentially scary outing, Donna had brought along plenty of treats. And those treats worked like a charm because Irwin was much more interested in the treats than in the noisy tractor and propane burner, not to mention all the smells. The farm was also located next to an Amish farm, and the entire time Donna and Irwin were in the orchard, horse-drawn carriages were traveling up and down the road. Irwin would glance their way, but it still didn’t distract him from getting treats.

To sell their fruit this year, Donna and Jim are cooperating with another local family who started an organic market in Adams County. They pick about 10 bushels each morning and take them right to Oyler's Organic Market. Irwin has been very good about staying by Donna’s side as she picks. He seems to do better when he’s wearing his SSD harness. For him, the harness means it’s time to work. 

There are a lot of distractions while they’re in the orchard, and one really big distraction is Hunter, their Jack Russell. Hunter is their varmint controller. He runs through the orchard and around the trees to keep the rabbits, mice, snakes, turkeys, deer, and groundhogs away. (There are always lots of wild animals hanging around. Last year, a coyote ran by the outer fence as they were planting trees with SSD Judge.) But even with Hunter on varmint control, Irwin stays right by Donna’s side. He usually stands at her left side or lies down, and he seems to know when they’re ready to move from tree to tree. 

Irwin has developed great self control around the fruit, and he ignores it unless Donna gives him the “okay” to eat it. He’s not allowed to run in the orchard while they’re working. However, when they’re loading the fruit and Donna takes his harness off, he gives a “puppy please” look and sits as tall as he can, waiting for the “okay” so he can take off running.

At the market, Irwin has to walk across drainage grates while they’re unloading the peaches, and he has lots of opportunities to work on greetings with the customers. The store has a kitchen, where classes are held on preserving and canning fruits, veggies, jams, and more, and Irwin has become a class favorite. He also loves to go into the cold storage room to cool down from the heat. 

Once they get back home, he gives Donna the “puppy please” look again, asking for a swim in the pond—one of his favorite things to do.

Irwin is certainly becoming a pro at working at the orchard!

SSD Samee Makes the Days Easier

It’s International Assistance Dog Week from August 4-10, and we’re celebrating! We will be recognizing and honoring service dogs all week. Check the blog each day for a new post about one of our service dogs or service dogs in training.

Our first post is a guest post by Chris K. about his service dog, SSD Samee Mae.

The past few months have been stressful, but with Samee by my side, I can cope a lot easier. She rarely leaves my side, and I wouldn’t have it any other way. Even when we’re just playing fetch in the backyard, she fills my heart with so much joy. I could not imagine my life without her now. She’s definitely made my life that much more complete.

We haven’t been out and about lately because of an injury I sustained in my foot. Regardless, she’s always there to make my day better. Even if she’s not “working,” she’s helping me get through each second more easily as the day progresses.

My wife jokes with me about how much I spoil Samee, but how can you not with a face like that? She does so much for me. I just wish I could do the same for her, but I feel as though I fall short in that aspect. We turn heads wherever we go, and she works so well when we are out. Even if it’s just a trip to the grocery store, I’m always stopped and complimented on my beautiful Samee.

We are working well as a team, and she has me looking forward to many years with her.