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ÐSentinel€Form€for€Your€Vet€(€not€included€in€html€version,€or€disk€version)€Ð F%– " ÐWorkplace€Access€Victory€€€€€Ð 2&‚!# ÐConference€2007€Baltimore!€€Ð 'n"$ ÐÌÌÌÌÔ‡ èkAçX Xá\ÔNew€Benefit:€Ô_ÔHeartwormÔ_Ô€Preventative!ó óÔ#† Xá\Xç èkAò#ÔÐ º+ ') ÐÔ#†Xá\XX Xá\—#ÔÐ B-’(* ÐBy€Joan€Ô_ÔFrolingÔ_ÔÐ ° ÐÌ€€€€€€We€are€thrilled€to€announce€that€Ô_ÔNovartisÔ_Ô€Animal€Health,€Inc.,€in€its€support€of€the€assistanceÐ ˆØ Ðdog€movement,€has€established€a€unique€program€to€provide€Sentinel€Flavor€Tabsðð€for€membersÐ tÄ Ðof€the€International€Association€of€Assistance€Dog€Partners€(Ô_ÔIAADPÔ_Ô)€working€with€assistanceÐ `° Ðdogs.€€Sentinel€Flavor€Tabsðð€provides€protection€for€dogs€against€canine€Ô_ÔheartwormÔ_Ô€disease,€asÐ L œ Ðwell€as€controlling€fleas€and€several€important€intestinal€parasites.Ð 8 ˆ Ðà  àDr.€Robin€Downing,€Ô_ÔDVMÔ_Ô,€CVA,€Ô_ÔDAAPMÔ_Ô,€a€member€of€the€Ô_ÔIAADPÔ_Ô€Animal€HealthÐ $ t ÐCare€Advisory€Board€and€the€Director€of€the€Windsor€Veterinary€Clinic,€will€be€coordinating€theÐ  ` Ðdistribution€of€this€product€to€our€members.€€€The€way€the€program€works€is€that€the€veterinarianÐ ü L  Ðtreating€each€assistance€dog,€€must€fax€a€completed€Form€to€Dr.€Downing.€€This€is€a€prescriptionÐ è 8  Ðproduct€and€there€must€be€evidence€of€a€doctor€/€client€relationship.€€There€must€also€beÐ Ô$  Ðdocumentation€of€a€current,€negative€Ô_ÔheartwormÔ_Ô€antigen€test,€which€the€Form€will€convey.Ð À  Ѐ€€€€€After€receiving€the€Form,€the€Membership€ID€Number€will€be€checked€to€see€if€thatÐ ¬ü  Ðindividual€holds€a€current€membership€or€not.€€€Partner€members€in€good€standing€in€the€USAÐ ˜è  Ðcan€receive€a€one€year€supply€of€Sentinel€Flavor€Tabsðð.€€It€will€be€sent€to€your€home€by€mailÐ „Ô  Ðfrom€Robinððs€clinic.€€€€Ð pÀ Ѐ€€€€Partners€should€utilize€the€special€Form€we€provide€for€that€purpose€in€this€newsletter.€€EveryÐ \¬ Ðquestion€must€be€answered.€€Incomplete€forms€will€not€be€processed.€Ð H˜ Ѐ€€€€€€As€is€customary,€those€in€the€unusual€position€of€having€more€than€one€canine€assistant€mayÐ 4„ Ðonly€receive€the€benefit€for€one€dog.Ô4‚»Ý úÔÝ‚ ÍOÝÔÿÔòòÝ  ÝÔ5  ÔÔ6«ÔÝ‚ ÍO¿ƒÝóóÔÿÔÝ  ÝÔ7Ý úíÔÐ  p Ѐ€€€€€€€If€you€think€you€may€want€this€extremely€valuable€benefit€in€the€future€at€no€charge,€donððtÐ  \ Ðforget€to€make€Xerox€Copies€of€the€Ô_ÔIAADPÔ_Ô€Sentinel€Request€Form€BEFORE€you€fill€it€out.€€PutÐ øH Ðyour€xerox€copies€in€a€safe€place.€€We€suggest€you€ask€the€vet€to€keep€one€in€your€dogððs€file,Ð ä4 Ðotherwise€you€will€have€to€send€a€self€addressed€stamped€envelope€to€Ô_ÔIAADPÔ_Ô€to€obtain€one€nextÐ Ð  Ðyear.€€The€Form€in€the€back€of€this€issue€is€designed€as€a€tear„out€sheet.€€There€is€a€perforatedÐ ¼  Ðedge.Ð ¨ø Ðòòóó€€€€€Members€will€receive€a€12€Month€Supply€of€Ô_ÔSentinnelÔ_Ô€as€per€the€recommendation€for€yearÐ ”ä Ðround€protection€from€specialists€on€Ô_ÔheartwormÔ_Ô€disease€in€the€USA.Ð €Ð ЀÌÔ‡ Xá\XXXá\ÔÌò òEditorððs€Note:ó ó€€We€have€a€column€in€this€issue€listing€all€the€benefits€for€Partner€Members€in€theÐ D!” ÐUSA€and€Canada€for€those€who€want€to€become€more€familiar€with€our€efforts€to€reduce€theÐ 4"„  Ðfinancial€burden€of€partnership€on€disabled€persons.€€€In€addition,€you€can€read€about€some€otherÐ  #p! Ðnew€benefits€we€are€very€pleased€to€announce€in€this€issue.Ð  $\" ÐÌÌÌÌò òÔ‡  ¼_X Xá\ÔVictory€In€California€re:€Prescription€Petsó óÔ#† Xá\X ¼_ñ#ÔÐ ¨(ø#' ÐÌby€Joan€FrolingÐ Î*&) ÐÌ€€€€€€€At€the€last€minute€we€discovered€a€highly€objectionable€piece€of€legislation€well€on€its€wayÐ ¦,ö'+ Ðto€becoming€law€in€the€state€of€California.€€It€was€Friday,€April€21,€2006€when€I€talked€to€EdÐ ’-â(, ÐEames€about€AB€2278.€€Could€we€possibly€mobilize€enough€people€over€the€weekend€to€protestÐ ° Ðthis€bill€and€influence€the€politicians€on€the€Human€Services€Committee€before€the€scheduledÐ œì Ðhearing€on€Tuesday?€€The€bill€already€had€two€readings€and€it€been€amended€three€times.€€If€theÐ ˆØ ÐCommittee€members€approved€the€latest€version,€it€could€soon€be€on€the€floor€for€a€vote.€Ð tÄ ÐUnfortunately€we€only€had€three€days,€not€three€weeks€or€three€months€in€which€to€take€action.Ð `° Ѐ€€€€€€€IAADP€sent€out€an€Emergency€Action€Call€€to€all€IAADP€members€who€had€furnished€usÐ L œ Ðwith€their€email€address.€€In€addition,€I€alerted€Guide€Dog€Users,€Inc.,€and€Assistance€DogsÐ 8 ˆ ÐInternational€and€the€Council€of€U.S.€Dog€Guide€Schools€to€this€shocking€proposal€which€hadÐ $ t Ðbeen€initiated€by€proponents€of€what€we€call€ð ðthe€prescription€pet€movement.ðð€€ViewingÐ  ` Ðthemselves€as€noble€crusaders,€there€are€advocates€who€are€determined€to€secure€public€accessÐ ü L  Ðrights,€not€just€housing€access€rights,€for€pet€owners€who€can€get€a€note€from€their€doctor€orÐ è 8  Ðtherapist€or€a€social€worker€that€says€the€patient€has€a€problem€that€disables€them€in€some€wayÐ Ô$  Ðand€would€benefit€from€a€companion€animal.Ð À  Ѐ€€€€€This€is€not€the€first€state€in€which€legislation€to€do€an€end€run€around€ADAððs€task€trainingÐ ¬ü  Ðrequirement€€has€been€introduced,€but€the€bill€in€California€takes€the€cake€for€sheer€audacity.Ð ˜è  Ѐ€€€€When€I€read€an€earlier€version€of€AB€2278€on€the€legislative€website,€I€discovered€the€wordÐ „Ô  Ðð ðseniorsðð€had€been€crossed€out€and€the€word€ð ðdisabledðð€was€substituted€in€numerous€locations.€Ð pÀ ÐIt€enabled€me€to€better€understand€how€this€bill€snuck€in€under€the€radar€of€the€disabledÐ \¬ Ðcommunity.€€This€bill€to€amend€the€existing€service€animal€statute€had€been€proposed€under€theÐ H˜ ÐOlder€Americans€Act€rather€than€the€Civil€Rights€section€of€the€state€law€code.€€It€appears€theÐ 4„ Ðoriginal€intent€of€this€bill€was€to€make€public€access€with€companion€animals€easier€for€agingÐ  p ÐCalifornians.€€The€preamble€to€the€bill€discusses€the€health€and€emotional€benefits€of€having€aÐ  \ Ðcompanion€animal€and€fails€to€educate€legislators€that€training,€in€particular€task€training,€isÐ øH Ðnecessary€for€an€animal€to€be€viewed€as€a€service€animal.Ð ä4 Ѐ€€€€€€€€AB€2278€would€have€the€state€appoint€a€non€profit€agency€and€its€affiliates€to€set€up€aÐ Ð  Ðprogram€to€issue€Service€Animal€Identification€Cards€to€citizens€who€submit€a€letter€from€theirÐ ¼  Ðdoctor.€€The€preamble€tried€to€convince€legislators€that€this€state€authorized€Service€Animal€IDÐ ¨ø ÐCard€was€urgently€needed€right€a€wrong.€€Those€behind€this€bill€contended€businesses€were€Ð ”ä Ðrefusing€to€admit€disabled€Californians€with€a€service€animal€because€they€donððt€look€disabled€orÐ €Ð Ðout€of€ignorance€of€the€law.€€Without€the€official€state€authorized€ID€Card,€this€discriminationÐ l¼ Ðwould€continue€to€blight€the€lives€of€citizens€with€disabilities.Ð X ¨ Ѐ€€€€€€€€While€the€bill€did€not€specify€PAWS€LA€(€a€chapter€of€€Pets€Are€Wonderful€Support)Ð D!” Ðwould€be€the€designated€agency,€this€non€profit€was€instrumental€in€the€billððs€drafting.€€PAWSÐ 0"€  ÐLA€serves€AIDS€patients€and€low€income€disabled€individuals€and€seniors€who€apply€for€theirÐ #l! Ðassistance€to€feed€and€care€for€a€pet.€€Iððm€sure€everyone€would€agree€that€this€part€of€the€PAWSÐ $X" ÐLA€mission€is€admirable.€€€However,€this€bill€they€were€backing€would€negatively€impact€theÐ ô$D # Ðassistance€dog€movement€and€we€had€no€choice€but€to€protest€its€passage.Ð à%0!$ Ѐ€€€€€€€€IAADP€President,€Ed€Eames,€composed€the€following€widely€circulated€letter€to€the€chairÐ Ì&"% Ðof€the€Human€Services€Committee.Ð ¸'#& Ѐ€€€€€Ð ¤(ô#' ÐÔ#†Xá\XX Xá\#ÔAssemblywoman€Noreen€Evans,€ChairÐ )à$( Ѐ€€€€€€€of€the€Human€Services€Committee€Ð |*Ì%) ÐState€Capitol,€€P.O.€Box€942849Ð h+¸&* ÐSacramento,€CA€94249€Ð T,¤'+ ÐÐ @-(, ÐDear€Madam€Chairperson:€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€April€23,€2006€Ð ° ÐÌ€€€€€€The€International€Association€of€Assistance€Dog€Partners€respectfully€requests€you€considerÐ ˆØ Ðour€concerns€about€AB€2278.€€IAADP€represents€and€advocates€for€more€than€2000€disabled€Ð tÄ Ðmembers€who€work€with€guide,€hearing€and€service€dogs.€As€IAADPððs€President,€I€want€to€voiceÐ `° Ðour€organization's€strong€opposition€to€AB€2278€which€would€establish€a€new€program€whichÐ L œ Ðissues€identification€cards.Ð 8 ˆ ÐÌ€€€€€€€Establishing€a€program€to€sell€identification€cards€to€us€so€we€can€obtain€access€to€stores,Ð  ` Ðrestaurants,€hotels,€entertainment€centers,€and€other€places€of€public€accommodation€would€be€aÐ ü L  Ðstep€backward€in€the€struggle€to€guarantee€the€civil€rights€of€people€with€disabilities€who€haveÐ è 8  Ðdecided€to€increase€their€independence,€safety,€mobility€and€improve€the€quality€of€their€livesÐ Ô$  Ðthrough€partnering€with€assistance€dogs.€€Ð À  Ѐ€€€€€€€AB€2278€also€duplicates€an€existing€California€non-fee€based€program€issuing€assistanceÐ ¬ü  Ðdog€identification€tags€part€of€the€Food€and€Agriculture€Code,€Part€3.5,€Section€30850.€Ð ˜è  Ѐ€€€€€€€€€IAADP€members€have€found€that€a€thorough€educational€approach€is€far€more€effective€inÐ „Ô  Ðassuring€gatekeepers€and€managers€of€public€accommodations€about€the€behavior€and€legitimacyÐ pÀ Ðof€our€assistance€dogs.Ð \¬ ÐÌ€€€€€€€€€In€the€preamble€to€the€legislation€proposed,€constant€reference€is€made€to€companion€dogs.€Ð 4„ ÐThere€is€no€disputing€the€evidence€that€animals€can€have€a€beneficial€impact€on€the€lives€of€theirÐ  p Ðguardians€in€terms€of€€emotional€support€and€health.€€However,€please€try€to€understand€theÐ  \ Ðimportant€difference€that€exists€between€a€pet€which€provides€companionship€and€a€serviceÐ øH Ðanimal.€€The€latter€has€the€legally€required€training€entitling€a€disabled€handler€to€accessÐ ä4 Ðrights.€€Service€animals,€generally€assistance€dogs,€must€be€specially€trained€to€perform€tasks€toÐ Ð  Ðmitigate€the€impact€of€their€handlerððs€disability.€€Those€of€us€working€with€service€animalsÐ ¼  Ðalready€have€the€guarantees€provided€by€state€and€federal€law€to€be€accompanied€by€guide,Ð ¨ø Ðhearing€and€service€dogs€in€all€places€open€to€the€public.€€Ð ”ä Ѐ€€€€€€€€AB€2278€would€extend€these€federal€and€state€guaranteed€rights,€through€the€proposedÐ €Ð Ðassistive€animal€identification€program,€to€individuals€living€with€pets€(e.g.€companion€animals)Ð l¼ Ðif€they€obtain€a€prescription€from€a€medical€professional€citing€the€fact€they€have€a€disability.€Ð X ¨ ÐWe€donððt€dispute€the€fact€that€a€companion€animal€can€be€a€comfort.€€Ownership€of€a€companionÐ D!” Ðanimal€[€pet€]€may€result€in€additional€therapeutic€benefits€like€the€owner€getting€more€exercise€toÐ 0"€  Ðdecrease€stress€and€improve€his€or€her€physical€and€mental€health.€€However,€most€persons€whoÐ #l! Ðown€a€pet€have€no€knowledge€of€the€special€temperament€testing€assistance€dogs€go€through€forÐ $X" Ðreasons€of€public€safety,€nor€of€the€socialization€and€training€an€assistance€dog€is€supposed€toÐ ô$D # Ðreceive.€€IAADP€therefore€strongly€objects€to€giving€public€access€rights€to€pet€owners€whoseÐ à%0!$ Ðanimals€frequently€lack€any€training.Ð Ì&"% Ѐ€€€€€€€€€€€The€assistance€dog€movement€has€worked€for€more€than€70€years€in€the€USA€to€winÐ ¸'#& Ðsocietal€tolerance€for€the€precious€laws€that€give€disabled€persons€with€highly€trained€assistanceÐ ¤(ô#' Ðdogs€the€right€to€enter€stores€and€other€places€where€pets€are€not€allowed.€€IAADP€does€not€wantÐ )à$( Ðpoorly€behaved€animals€eroding€the€tolerance€of€society€for€the€presence€of€disabled€persons€withÐ |*Ì%) Ðproperly€trained€assistance€dogs.Ð h+¸&* Ѐ€€€€€€€€€€€We€ask€you€to€recognize€there€is€a€categorical€difference€between€a€companion€animalÐ T,¤'+ Ðand€an€assistance€dog.€€Assistance€dogs€have€been€trained€to€perform€disability€mitigating€tasksÐ @-(, Ðsuch€as€guiding€the€blind,€alerting€the€deaf€to€specific€sounds,€pulling€a€wheelchair,€assisting€withÐ ° Ðbalance€support,€retrieving€dropped€objects€or€alerting€to€and€providing€assistance€during€aÐ œì Ðmedical€crisis.€Pets€do€not€receive€that€special€task€training€and€therefore,€donððt€legally€qualify€asÐ ˆØ Ða€service€animal€under€the€Americans€With€Disabilities€Act€(ADA).€Ð tÄ ÐÌ€€€€€€€€€€€€The€sponsoring€organization,€PAWS€€€LA,€according€to€its€website,€has€no€experience€inÐ L œ Ðthe€training€and€placement€of€guide,€hearing€or€service€dogs.€€The€dogs€they€have€placed€areÐ 8 ˆ Ðreferred€to€as€pets€or€companion€dogs.€€€This€organization€would€be€in€no€position€to€evaluateÐ $ t Ðservice€animals,€and,€therefore,€their€issuance€of€identification€cards€to€become€the€mechanismÐ  ` Ðfor€legitimizing€service€animals€for€hotel€managers,€store€owners,€restaurant€staff,€etc.,€is€entirelyÐ ü L  Ðsuspect.€€€Ð è 8  ÐÌSome€other€points€underlying€IAADP's€opposition€to€AB€2278€are:Ð À  ÐÌ1.€)€€Under€Title€Three€of€the€ADA,€no€identification€is€required€by€guide,€hearing€and€serviceÐ ˜è  Ðdog€partners€to€bring€their€task€trained€dogs€into€places€open€to€the€public.€€Establishing€a€stateÐ „Ô  Ðwide€identification€card€system€is€in€direct€violation€of€the€federal€law.€€Please€review€the€U.S.Ð pÀ ÐDepartment€of€Justiceððs€position€on€this€matter.€€See€the€ð ðBusiness€Briefððon€Service€Animals€at€€€Ð \¬ ÐÔ4‚³Ý °ÔÝ‚ ÍOÝÔÿÔòòÝ  ÝÔ5  Ôwww.usdoj.gov/crt/ada/svcanimb.htmÔ6gBÔÝ‚ ÍO{BƒÝóóÔÿÔÝ  ÝÔ7Ý –©BԀРH˜ ÐÔ4‚´Ý °ÔÝ‚ ÍOÝÔÿÔòòÝ  ÝÔ5  ÔÔ6DCÔÝ‚ ÍOXCƒÝóóÔÿÔÝ  ÝÔ7Ý °†CÔÌ2.)€€California€attracts€tourists€from€other€states€and€countries,€who€will€not€be€able€to€present€aÐ  p ÐCalifornia€ID€card.Ð  \ ÐÌ3.€)€€As€Californians,€our€right€to€be€accompanied€by€our€assistance€dogs€is€guaranteed€in€theÐ ä4 Ðcivil€code€and€does€not€belong€in€an€older€Americans€act.€€€Ð Ð  ÐÌ4.€)€€€What€existing€nonprofit€organization€has€the€knowledge,€staff€and€resources€to€administerÐ ¨ø Ðthe€program,€develop€an€application€and€issue€the€cards,€collect€fees,€maintain€a€list€ofÐ ”ä Ðparticipants€and€establish€affiliates?€€PAWS€LA,€based€on€our€knowledge€of€the€organization,€isÐ €Ð Ðin€no€position€to€carry€out€these€functions.€Ð l¼ ÐÌ5.€)€€The€bill€gives€medical€practitioners€the€responsibility€for€writing€a€letter€indicating€that€theirÐ D!” Ðpatients€need€the€assistance€of€a€dog.€€Medical€personnel€are€in€no€position€to€know€if€anÐ 0"€  Ðassistance€dog€is€needed€and€in€most€cases€have€little€knowledge€of€the€extensive€trainingÐ #l! Ðnecessary€for€the€work€performed€by€guide,€hearing€and€service€dogs.€€Furthermore,€medicalizingÐ $X" Ðdisability,€clearly€a€civil€rights€issue,€is€a€step€backward€in€a€state€where€the€independent€livingÐ ô$D # Ðmovement€began!€€People€with€disabilities€have€fought€hard€and€long€to€have€the€right€to€makeÐ à%0!$ Ðtheir€own€decisions€about€whether€or€not€to€work€with€an€assistance€dog.Ð Ì&"% ÐÌI€strongly€suggest€that€AB€2278€be€dropped€from€consideration€by€the€Human€servicesÐ ¤(ô#' ÐCommittee.Ð )à$( ÐÌSincerely,Ð h+¸&* ÐEd€Eames,€Ph.D.,€President€€€Ð T,¤'+ ÐÐ @-(, Ѐ€€€€€€€€Ð ° Ðò òJoan€Ô_ÔcontinesÔ_Ô:ó ó€€€€Board€member,€Tanya€Ô_ÔEversoleÔ_Ô,€provided€us€with€the€contact€information€forÐ œì Ðall€the€members€of€the€Human€Services€Committee.€€Along€with€our€appeal€for€help,€a€copy€ofÐ ŒÜ ÐÔ_ÔIAADPÔ_Ôððs€letter,€the€preamble€and€the€bill,€this€valuable€contact€information€went€out€to€Ô_ÔIAADPÔ_ÔÐ xÈ Ðmembers€online,€a€number€of€Email€Lists€and€to€fellow€Ô_ÔCADOÔ_Ô€members€[Ô_ÔGDUIÔ_Ô,€Ô_ÔADIÔ_Ô,Ð d´ ÐÔ_ÔCUSDGSÔ_Ô]€by€Saturday€morning.Ð P   Ѐ€€€€€€€I€subsequently€emailed€Ô_ÔIAADPÔ_Ôððs€letter€to€each€politician€on€Sunday.€€First€thing€MondayÐ < Œ Ðmorning,€Tanya€faxed€Ô_ÔIAADPÔ_Ôððs€letter€to€all€the€committee€members.€€Board€members€LynnÐ ( x ÐHouston,€Carol€King€and€Devon€Wilkins€sent€off€letters€of€their€own.€€Ed€Ô_ÔEamesÔ_Ô€and€boardÐ  d Ðmember,€Jill€Ô_ÔExpositoÔ_Ô,€telephoned€the€legislators€to€urge€the€bill€be€withdrawn€fromÐ  P  Ðconsideration.€€This€was€just€the€tip€of€the€iceberg,€though.Ð ì <  Ѐ€€€€€€€€€Thanks€to€the€overwhelming€support€from€those€we€networked€with,€the€California€StateÐ Ø(  ÐAssemblyððs€Human€Services€Committee€capitulated€by€1€p.m.€€I€received€the€wonderful€newsÐ Ä  Ðfrom€three€sources€that€afternoon:€Ô_ÔIAADPÔ_Ô€Treasurer,€Toni€Ô_ÔEamesÔ_Ô,€and€Sheila€Styron,€PresidentÐ °  Ðof€Guide€Dog€Users€Inc.€and€Ô_ÔCoreyÔ_Ô€Hudson,€Executive€Director€of€Canine€Companions€forÐ œì  ÐIndependence.€€Each€had€been€contacted€by€the€staff€of€a€different€assembly€member,€whoÐ ˆØ  Ðreported€their€offices€had€been€flooded€with€emails,€faxes€and€phone€calls.€€Because€this€bill€wasÐ tÄ Ðobviously€so€objectionable€to€so€many€persons€in€the€disabled€community,€they€wanted€us€toÐ `° Ðknow€that€Tuesdayððs€hearing€had€been€canceled€and€the€bill€was€deader€than€a€doornail.€€A€littleÐ Lœ Ðlater,€we€learned€the€billððs€sponsor€had€officially€withdrawn€the€bill€from€consideration.€€Ð 8ˆ Ѐ€€€€€€€€€This€victory€was€exhilarating€and€it€still€has€me€amazed.€€I€never€thought€we€could€gatherÐ $t Ðenough€support€in€just€in€three€days€time.€€All€who€participated€should€take€a€well€deserved€bow.€Ð ` ÐGuide€Dog€Users€Inc€of€California€and€Ô_ÔADIÔ_Ô€programs€like€Ô_ÔPawsitiveÔ_Ô€Teams,€Canine€CompanionsÐ üL Ðfor€Independence,€Guide€Dogs€for€the€Blind€and€Loving€Paws€Assistance€Dogs€were€amongÐ è8 Ðthose€who€contacted€the€committee.€€Members€of€a€number€of€Email€Lists€in€the€partnerÐ Ô$ Ðcommunity€online€rallied€fast€and€went€into€action.€€Ô_ÔIAADPÔ_Ô€members€who€were€kind€enough€toÐ À Ðcopy€us€on€their€letters€or€faxes€to€the€legislature€let€us€know€that€quite€a€few€of€our€readers€areÐ ¬ü Ðactivists€too,€willing€to€defend€our€civil€liberties.€€It€was€heartwarming€to€read€the€passionateÐ ˜è Ðletters€they€had€written€to€the€Committee.Ð „Ô Ѐ€€€€€€€€At€the€same€time,€it€is€ominous€that€we€only€heard€of€this€proposed€state€law€so€late€in€theÐ pÀ Ðgame.€Could€this€get€passed€in€another€state?€€€Iððm€afraid€the€answer€may€be€ð ðyes.ðð€PAWS€LAÐ \ ¬ Ðhas€affiliates€in€quite€a€few€states€and€supporters€throughout€North€America€and€Europe.€€OtherÐ H!˜ Ðgroups€seeking€public€access€for€emotional€support€animals€may€have€bills€in€the€planningÐ 4"„  Ðstages.€€€Ð  #p! Ѐ€€€€€€€€€Please€stay€vigilant.€€Check€your€state€legislature€website€for€new€bills€with€the€key€wordsÐ  $\" Ðð ðservice€animal,ðð€ð ðcompanion€animal,ðð€and€ð ðemotional€support€animalsðð€and€let€us€know€about€itÐ ø$H # Ðwhen€you€do.€€For€us€the€issue€is€Training.€€Without€training,€an€animal€is€a€pet€under€the€ADAÐ ä%4!$ Ðand€it€should€not€be€taken€out€in€public€under€the€guise€of€being€a€service€animal!€€Ð Ð& "% ÐÌ€€€€Ô‡ Xá\XXXá\ÔÐ ¨(ø#' ÐÔ‡  ¼_X Xá\Ôò òÌÔ_ÔIAADPÔ_Ô€Responds€To€the€DOTððs€Latest€CommentsÔ#† Xá\X ¼_$]#ÔÐ Î*&) ÐÌThe€U.€S.€Department€of€Transportation€(€DOT)€Responds€To€Consumer€Concerns€AboutÐ ô,D(+ ÐAir€Travel€With€Service€Animals!€€ó óÐ à-0), ЇòòEDITORððS€NOTE:€€€the€following€position€paper€issued€by€Ô_ÔIAADPÔ_Ôððs€Board€of€Directors€wasÐ ° Ðpublished€on€Ô_ÔIAADPÔ_Ôððs€website€in€March€2006.€€€It€will€update€you€on€what€has€taken€place€withÐ œì Ðrespect€to€Ô_ÔIAADPÔ_Ôððs€efforts€to€persuade€the€U.S.€Department€of€Transportation€to€reconsiderÐ ˆØ Ðsome€of€the€language€in€their€Notice€of€Proposed€Rule€Making€pertaining€to€the€Air€CarrierÐ tÄ ÐAccess€Act.€€€For€new€readers,€Ô_ÔIAADPÔ_Ô€is€deeply€concerned€about€the€potential€impact€of€theÐ `° Ðlanguage€in€Appendix€A€of€the€Ô_ÔN.P.R.M.Ô_Ô€€which€addresses€seating€for€disabled€people€who€travelÐ L œ Ðby€air€with€large€service€animals.€€€We€believe€this€language,€if€not€amended,€could€result€in€aÐ 8 ˆ Ðsubstantial€curtailment€of€access€rights€under€the€Air€Carriers€Access€Act€for€disabledÐ $ t Ðindividuals€who€are€matched€with€large€canine€assistants€due€to€their€physical€size€and/orÐ  ` Ðdisability€related€needs.€€€We€began€this€advocacy€campaign€in€November€2004.€€TheÐ ü L  ÐDepartment€of€Transportation€recently€responded€to€consumer€concerns€with€widely€circulatedÐ è 8  Ðstatements€on€the€internet€that€claim€it€was€all€a€misunderstanding€and€no€such€proposal€is€onÐ Ô$  Ðthe€table.€€€We€replied€by€circulating€this€position€paper€to€ð ðset€the€record€straight.ððóóÔ#†Xá\XX Xá\ð\#ÔÔ‡ ¼_XXá\ÔÐ À  ÐÔ#†Xá\X ¼_Ùd#ÔÔ‡ Xá\XXXá\ÔÌòòóóÌ€€€€€€The€International€Association€of€Assistance€Dog€Partners€(Ô_ÔIAADPÔ_Ô),€a€consumer€advocacyÐ „Ô  Ðorganization€representing€over€2000€disabled€persons€working€with€guide,€hearing€and€serviceÐ pÀ Ðdogs,€believes€it€has€finally€seen€a€"light€at€the€end€of€the€tunnel!"€Ð \¬ Ѐ€€€€€In€November€2004,€the€Department€of€Transportation€(DOT)€published€its€Notice€ofÐ H˜ ÐProposed€Rule€Making€(Ô_ÔNPRMÔ_Ô),€which€specifically€invited€comments€on€whether€there€shouldÐ 4„ Ðbe€any€modifications€to€Part€382,€Appendix€A,€concerning€the€transport€of€service€animals€by€air.€Ð  p Ѐ€€€€€Ô_ÔIAADPÔ_Ô€submitted€a€letter€of€Public€Comment€that€points€out€the€proposed€language€inÐ  \ ÐAppendix€A€could€have€a€devastating€impact€on€individuals€whose€disability€requires€the€use€ofÐ øH Ðan€assistance€dog€large€enough€to€perform€tasks€like€guiding€blind€people,€wheelchair€pulling€andÐ ä4 Ðproviding€balance€support.€Ð Ð  Ѐ€€€€€Ô_ÔIAADPÔ_Ô€took€particular€note€of€three€sections€in€Appendix€A€of€the€Ô_ÔNPRMÔ_Ô.€Two€of€themÐ ¼  Ðproclaim€it€would€be€an€undue€burden€for€the€airlines€to€ask€a€passenger€to€share€foot€space€withÐ ¨ø Ða€service€animal€[e.g.€the€space€on€the€floor€in€front€of€the€non€disabled€passenger's€seat].€TheÐ ”ä Ðthird,€in€response€to€the€Question:€"What€if€the€service€animal€is€too€large€to€fit€under€the€seat€inÐ €Ð Ðfront€of€the€customer?",€declared€"If€no€single€seat€in€the€cabin€will€accommodate€the€animal€andÐ l¼ Ðpassenger€without€causing€an€obstruction,€you€may€offer€the€option€of€purchasing€a€second€seat,Ð X ¨ Ðtraveling€on€a€later€flight€or€having€the€service€animal€travel€in€the€cargo€hold."€Ð D!” Ѐ€€€€€Ô_ÔIAADPÔ_Ô's€President,€Ed€Ô_ÔEamesÔ_Ô,€Ph.D.,€stated,€"if€accepted€and€implemented,€these€rulesÐ 0"€  Ðwould€threaten€the€right€of€disabled€people€with€large€assistance€dogs€to€travel€by€air.€In€responseÐ #l! Ðto€the€first€two€statements,€IAADP€members€have€always€found€neighboring€passengers€willingÐ $X" Ðto€share€leg€room€with€our€guide€dogs,€or€have€someone€else€volunteer€to€shift€seats.€MostÐ ô$D # Ðdistressing,€however,€is€the€third€item€in€which€the€DOT€authorizes€the€airlines€to€give€disabledÐ à%0!$ Ðpassengers€the€choice€of€three€unconscionable€options€if€their€assistance€dog€cannot€fit€in€theÐ Ì&"% Ðspace€in€front€of€a€single€seat.€Having€to€pay€for€an€extra€ticket€would€make€air€travelÐ ¸'#& Ðprohibitively€expensive€for€all€but€the€wealthiest€disabled€passenger€with€a€large€assistance€dog.Ð ¤(ô#' ÐThe€idea€that€we€would€be€willing€to€ship€our€canine€assistants€in€cargo€disregards€the€bondÐ )à$( Ðbetween€us€and€undercuts€the€concept€that€our€dogs€provide€greater€independence,€mobility€andÐ |*Ì%) Ðsafety.€Finally,€the€last€option,€making€us€take€a€later€flight€demonstrates€a€view€toward€disabledÐ h+¸&* Ðpeople€indicating€we€do€not€have€to€get€to€places€on€time€to€meet€work€and€social€commitments."€Ð T,¤'+ Ѐ€€€€€Ô_ÔIAADPÔ_Ô€subsequently€shared€the€news€about€its€efforts€to€have€the€language€in€Appendix€AÐ @-(, Ðmodified€with€others.€During€the€Ô_ÔNPRMÔ_Ô€public€comment€period,€DOT€received€more€than€1100Ð ° Ðletters€supporting€Ô_ÔIAADPÔ_Ô's€request€for€changes.€Other€organizations,€including€Assistance€DogsÐ œì ÐInternational,€Guide€Dog€Users€Inc.€and€the€National€Association€of€Guide€Dog€Users€gotÐ ˆØ Ðinvolved.€Ô_ÔGDUIÔ_Ô€and€NAGDU€passed€resolutions€condemning€this€language€at€their€2005Ð tÄ Ðconventions.€Many€guide,€hearing€and€service€dog€training€programs€also€went€on€record€seekingÐ `° Ða€modification€of€the€language€to€preserve€the€access€rights€of€their€graduates,€most€of€whom€areÐ L œ Ðpartnered€with€large€retriever€size€assistance€dogs.€Following€the€public€comment€period,€manyÐ 8 ˆ Ðassistance€dog€partners€contacted€their€federal€elected€representatives€for€support.€Ð $ t Ѐ€€€€€In€opposition,€Atlantic€Southeast€Airlines,€a€subsidiary€of€Delta€Airlines,€submitted€a€publicÐ  ` Ðcomment€stating€"ASA€supports€the€department's€position€that,€if€no€single€seat€in€the€cabin€willÐ ü L  Ðaccommodate€the€service€animal€and€passenger€without€causing€an€obstruction,€the€carrier€mayÐ è 8  Ðoffer€the€option€of€purchasing€a€second€seat,€traveling€on€a€later€flight€or€having€the€serviceÐ Ô$  Ðanimal€travel€in€the€cargo€hold.€€Bulkhead€space€on€regional€aircraft€is€limited€and€providingÐ À  Ðadditional€seating€at€no€charge€would€result€in€a€significant€revenue€loss."€Ð ¬ü  Ѐ€€€€€The€other€U.S.€airlines€did€not€choose€to€issue€a€statement€publicly€on€this€particular€matterÐ ˜è  Ðduring€the€public€comment€period.€Ð „Ô  Ѐ€€€€€In€January€2006,€Mary€Harris,€a€producer€for€Channel€4,€KNBC€in€Los€Angeles€heard€aboutÐ pÀ Ðthe€issue€and€came€to€the€IAADP€conference€in€San€Diego€where€she€interviewed€severalÐ \¬ Ðassistance€dog€partners.€The€story,€aired€on€February€22,€was€also€shown€by€a€number€of€NBCÐ H˜ Ðaffiliates€across€the€country.€The€public€outcry€generated€by€this€story,€in€addition€to€the€previousÐ 4„ Ðadvocacy€efforts,€resulted€in€a€response€from€the€DOT.€Ð  p Ѐ€€€€€In€a€widely€disseminated€message€from€Robert€Ashby,€the€Deputy€Assistant€General€CounselÐ  \ Ðfor€Regulation€and€Enforcement€at€the€U.S.€Department€of€Transportation,€we€learned€the€DOTÐ øH Ðwill€rewrite€the€language€about€the€seating€of€disabled€passengers€with€large€service€animals€inÐ ä4 Ðthe€airplane€cabin€to€address€the€concerns€that€have€been€raised€by€our€community.€Ð Ð  Ѐ€€€€€Mr.€Ashby€stated€in€his€letter€of€March€4,€2006,€to€Ginger€Bennett€of€the€Seeing€Eye,€Inc.:€Ð ¼  Ð"We€got€1100€or€so€comments€protesting€the€paragraphs€of€the€service€animal€guidanceÐ ¨ø Ðconcerning€options€for€handling€situations€in€which€a€large€animal€impinges€on€a€space€that€mustÐ ”ä Ðremain€open.€In€my€view,€these€comments€(and€subsequent€letters€and€statements€to€the€mediaÐ €Ð Ðalong€the€same€line)€were€largely€based€on€a€misunderstanding€of€the€nature€of€the€guidance€andÐ l¼ Ðthe€wording€of€the€language€itself.€We€were€not€proposing€a€rule€change€to€impose€newÐ X ¨ Ðrestrictions,€costs,€or€burdens€on€service€animal€users,€and€the€language€does€not,€in€my€view,Ð D!” Ðhave€that€effect.€That€said,€I€think€there€are€probably€some€clarifications€of€the€language€of€theÐ 0"€  Ðguidance€that€we€can€make€to€avoid€the€kinds€of€misunderstandings€that€have€arisen,€and€as€weÐ #l! Ðwork€toward€a€final€rule,€I€will€be€suggesting€some€wordsmithing€changes€to€this€effect."€Ð $X" Ѐ€€€€€IAADP€welcomes€Mr.€Ashby's€clarification€that€this€language€which€air€carriers€like€AtlanticÐ ô$D # ÐSoutheast,€a€number€of€journalists€and€just€about€everyone€in€the€assistance€dog€community€tookÐ à%0!$ Ðat€face€value€has€been€misunderstood€with€regard€to€the€intent€of€the€DOT€in€putting€it€in€PartÐ Ì&"% Ð382,€Appendix€A.€We€hope€Mr.€Ashby's€remarks€can€be€taken€as€a€promise€to€the€assistance€dogÐ ¸'#& Ðmovement€and€the€American€public€that€disabled€passengers€will€not€face€a€second€seat€charge,Ð ¤(ô#' Ðbe€bumped€to€a€later€flight€or€have€to€put€their€dogs€in€cargo€if€their€assistance€dog's€bodyÐ )à$( Ðoccupies€part€of€the€floor€space€of€an€adjacent€seat.€IAADP€does€understand€the€DOT's€positionÐ |*Ì%) Ðthat€a€service€animal€should€not€obstruct€a€main€aisle€for€reasons€of€safety€and€we€would€notÐ h+¸&* Ðhave€a€problem€with€those€three€options€if€applied€only€to€that€very€rare€situation.€Ð T,¤'+ Ѐ€€€€€In€closing,€we€would€once€again€like€to€urge€the€DOT€to€adopt€the€substitute€languageÐ @-(, Ðrecommended€by€IAADP's€President,€Ed€Eames,€Ph.D.,€as€official€advice€to€in€flight€crews€andÐ ° Ðcounter€agents.€This€language€was€endorsed€through€letters€to€the€DOT€and€to€members€ofÐ œì ÐCongress€by€hundreds€of€individuals,€a€number€of€disability€related€organizations,€assistance€dogÐ ˆØ Ðtraining€programs€and€the€Resolutions€passed€by€Ô_ÔGDUIÔ_Ô€and€Ô_ÔNAGDUÔ_Ô€in€July,€2005:€Ð tÄ Ð"You€may€offer€the€passenger€sitting€in€a€seat€adjacent€to€the€disabled€passenger€traveling€with€aÐ `° Ðlarge€service€animal€a€seat€in€the€same€class€of€service€in€another€part€of€the€cabin.€If€no€seats€areÐ L œ Ðavailable€in€that€class€of€service,€you€may€ask€for€a€volunteer€willing€to€occupy€the€seat€next€toÐ 8 ˆ Ðthe€disabled€passenger€requiring€sharing€of€leg€room.€If€no€volunteer€is€forthcoming€and€seats€areÐ $ t Ðavailable€in€another€class€of€service€in€another€part€of€the€cabin,€you€may€ask€the€adjacentÐ  ` Ðpassenger€or€the€disabled€passenger€to€occupy€a€seat€in€that€other€class€of€service."€Ð ü L  Ѐ€€€€€Using€this€approach€would€not€be€a€financial€burden€for€the€airlines€or€an€inconvenience€toÐ è 8  Ðother€passengers.€It€would€simply€formalize€current€air€carrier€policies€and€be€a€reasonableÐ Ô$  Ðaccommodation.€We€believe€it€would€clarify€the€issue€in€a€way€that€is€very€much€needed.€Ð À  ÐÌÔ_ÔIAADPÔ_Ô's€Board€of€Directors€Ð ˜è  ÐMarch€8,€2006€Ð „Ô  ÐÌÌò òEDITORððS€NOTE:€€ó ó€€It€appears€the€language€in€the€Ô_ÔN.P.R.M.Ô_Ô€will€be€amended€to€protectÐ H˜ Ðassistance€dog€teams€from€being€charged€for€a€second€seat€or€being€forced€to€take€a€later€flight€ifÐ 8ˆ Ðan€assistance€dogððs€body€intrudes€into€the€floor€space€of€another€passengerððs€seat.€€We€wonððt€beÐ $t Ðsipping€champagne€and€celebrating€this€as€a€victory,€though,€until€we€can€study€€Mr.€Ô_ÔAshbyÔ_ÔððsÐ ` ÐÔ_ÔwordsmithingÔ_Ô€in€the€Final€Rule.Ð üL Ѐ€€€€€I€created€a€ð ðboxðð€on€the€€Ô_ÔIAADPÔ_Ô€website€homepage€to€attract€attention€to€this€issue.€It€nowÐ è8 Ðcontains€a€link€to€this€Response€from€our€Board€to€Bob€Ô_ÔAshbyÔ_Ôððs€comments.€€Below€our€PositionÐ Ô$ ÐPaper,€you€will€find€Mr.€Ô_ÔAshbyÔ_Ôððs€letter€reprinted€in€its€entirety.Ð À Ѐ€€€€€In€addition,€the€box€on€our€homepage€features€links€to€some€of€the€media€coverage€this€issueÐ ¬ü Ðreceived€in€February€2006.€€One€is€a€link€to€the€Ô_ÔKNBCÔ_Ô€website€where€you€will€find€a€transcript€ofÐ ˜è Ðthe€television€broadcast€and€19€photos€from€video€portion.€€The€second€link€is€to€one€of€theÐ „Ô Ðnewspaper€articles€generated€by€Leader€Dogs€for€the€Blind€and€others€about€how€the€language€inÐ pÀ Ðthe€Ô_ÔN.P.R.M.Ô_Ô€that€could€negatively€impact€our€ability€to€travel€by€air€with€large€assistance€dogs.€€Ð \ ¬ Ѐ€€€€This€topic€never€would€have€generated€favorable€media€attention€if€not€for€all€of€our€readersÐ H!˜ Ðwho€took€the€time€to€write€a€Public€Comment€last€year.€€I€canððt€tell€you€how€much€it€meant€toÐ 4"„  ÐÔ_ÔIAADPÔ_Ôððs€board€to€have€had€your€support!Ð  #p! Ѐ€€€€€€We€are€also€deeply€indebted€to€those€of€you€answered€our€call€to€action€after€the€publicÐ  $\" Ðcomment€period€closed.€€You€kept€this€issue€alive€last€summer€and€through€the€fall€and€winterÐ ø$H # Ðmonths,€by€writing€letters€to€your€elected€representatives€in€Congress.€€€Dozens€of€phone€callsÐ ä%4!$ Ðfrom€the€offices€of€Congressmen€and€Senators€reminded€the€DOT€of€how€important€this€issueÐ Ð& "% Ðwas€to€our€community.€€€Ð ¼' #& Ѐ€€€€€€We€do€appreciate€the€DOTððs€decision€to€rewrite€the€language.€€As€a€result,€we€did€notÐ ¨(ø#' Ðgenerate€more€publicity€on€the€issue€when€other€journalists€contacted€us€in€March€and€April,Ð ”)ä$( Ðpresenting€us€with€an€opportunity€for€additional€coverage.Ð €*Ð%) Ѐ€€€€€€€€Ô_ÔIAADPÔ_Ô€will€keep€you€posted€as€to€future€developments.€€Ð l+¼&* ÐÌÐ D-”(, ЇÌò òÔ#†Xá\XX Xá\0e#ÔÔ‡ ¼_XXá\ÔExciting€New€Benefit€in€USAó óÔ#†Xá\X ¼_–™#ÔÐ œì Ѐ€€Ð Ö& Ðò òFriend€&€Provider€Members€Eligible€Too!ó ó€€€€€€€€€€€Ð  ÐÌ€€€€€€Ruff€Wear,€designer€and€manufacturer€of€high€quality€performance€dog€and€human€gear,€hasÐ ž î Ðestablished€a€generous€relationship€with€ALL€of€our€Ô_ÔIAADPÔ_Ô€members€in€the€United€StatesÐ Š Ú Ðproviding€up€to€a€50%€discount€on€all€catalogue€items.€€Partner€members,€Friend€members€andÐ v Æ ÐProvider€members€will€be€eligible€to€register€for€this.€Shipping€costs€are€additional.Ð b ² Ѐ€€€€€€Ruff€Wear€features€a€product€line€of€sporting€gear€for€hiking,€swimming€and€other€outdoorÐ N ž  Ðactivities.€€Among€their€exceptional€and€outstanding€products€are€leashes,€collars,€harnesses,Ð :Š  Ðpacks,€dog€beds,€toys,€grooming€and€training€equipment,€treats,€first€aid€kits€and€a€variety€of€gearÐ &v  Ðfor€the€human€end€of€the€leash.Ð b  Ѐ€€€€€€Ô_ÔIAADPÔ_Ô€salutes€Bill€Ô_ÔMintiensÔ_Ô€for€initiating€this€relationship€and€extending€its€benefits€to€allÐ þN  ÐÔ_ÔIAADPÔ_Ô€members€and€supporters.€The€discount€is€typically€50%€off€their€retail€price.Ð ê:  Ѐ€€€€€€To€view€items,€request€a€catalogue€or€place€an€order,€go€to€www.ruffwear.com€or€phoneÐ Ö& Ðcustomer€service€at€1-888-783-3932€or€e-mail€luckydog@ruffwear.com.Ð Â Ѐ€€€€€€€In€order€to€obtain€the€discount,€you€must€fill€out€an€application€and€mention€that€you€are€aÐ ®þ Ðmember€of€Ô_ÔIAADPÔ_Ô.€€Please€refer€to€the€instructions€below€for€using€the€on-line€application€form.€Ð šê ÐIf€you€want€to€enroll€by€phone,€call€Jennifer€at€1-888-783-3932.Ð †Ö Ѐ€€€€€€€Go€to€the€Ruff€Wear€website€at€www.ruffwear.com€click€on€the€Customer€Service€link€atÐ r Ðthe€top€of€the€website.€€€Then€scroll€down€and€click€on€the€Pro€Purchase€Program€link.€Click€onÐ ^® Ðthe€Pro€Purchase€on-line€Form€link€and€fill€out€the€on-line€form.Ð Jš Ѐ€€€€€€€Under€the€Classification€Field,€choose€"Service€or€Assistance€Dog€Organizations".€UnderÐ 6† Ðgroup€business€name€and€address,€enter€"Ô_ÔIAADPÔ_Ô€and€your€name.€€Submit€your€on-line€form€andÐ "r Ðwait€for€an€e-mail€approval€from€Ruff€Wear.Ð ^ Ѐ€€€€€€€Please€keep€in€mind€this€is€a€one€time€application€process,€and€be€patient.€€It's€a€great€deal!Ð úJ ÐÌÌÌò òÔ‡ ¼_XXá\ÔTerrific€New€Canadian€Benefits!Ô#†Xá\X ¼_O¤#ÔÐ ª ú ÐÌPrescription€Diet€&€Ô_ÔHeartwormÔ_Ô€ð ðMultiðð€Productó óÐ Ð"   Ѐ€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€Ð ¼# ! ÐÌClayton€Mackay,€CEO€of€Hills€Canada,€is€pleased€to€announce€that€Hills€Canada€will€provide€aÐ ”%ä # Ðnew€benefit€to€Canadian€Ô_ÔIAADPÔ_Ô€assistance€dog€partner€members.€€If€the€veterinarianÐ €&Ð!$ Ðrecommends€a€Hills€prescription€diet€for€an€Ô_ÔIAADPÔ_Ô€partner€member's€guide,€hearing€or€serviceÐ l'¼"% Ðdog,€Hills€will€provide€the€prescription€food€at€no€charge.€€Canadian€board€member€DevonÐ X(¨#& ÐWilkins€will€facilitate€the€program.€€Please€contact€Devon€at€home,€705-444-4512,€cellÐ D)”$' Ð705-446-7824€or€e-mail€theharness@rogers.com€with€your€name€and€member€ID€number,€yourÐ 0*€%( Ðveterinarian's€name,€address€and€phone€number€and€the€name€of€the€prescription€diet.€€Hills€willÐ +l&) Ðthen€arrange€with€your€veterinarian€to€replace€the€product.€€Ð ,X'* ÐÌAnother€Canadian€benefit€has€been€extended€by€Bayer€Canada.€€The€flea€preventative€advantageÐ à-0), Ðhas€been€provided€at€no€cost€for€the€past€several€years.€€Don€Wilson,€Director€of€TechnicalÐ ° ÐServices,€was€happy€to€extend€the€free€benefit€to€their€new€product€advantage€multi.€€As€the€termÐ œì Ðmulti€implies,€this€product€does€more€than€prevent€and€control€flea€infestation.€€It€also€preventsÐ ˆØ ÐÔ_ÔheartwormÔ_Ô€and€parasitic€infestations€and€treats€ear€mites€and€mange.€€Ð tÄ ÐÌÔ_ÔIAADPÔ_Ô€salutes€Hills€and€Bayer€Canada€for€their€help€in€maintaining€the€health€of€disabledÐ L œ Ðperson/assistance€dog€partnerships.€Ð 8 ˆ ÐÌÌÔ‡ Xá\XXXá\ÔÌÌò òÔ‡  ¼_X Xá\ÔBenefit€News€To€Write€DownÐ Ô$  ÐÌÔ#† Xá\X ¼_#¬#ÔKV€Vet€Supply€€€€NEW€SOURCE€CODE€For€Getting€Your€15%€Discount€on€Merchandiseó óÐ H˜  Ðfor€Partner€Members.€€Contact€Ô_ÔIAADPÔ_Ô€for€new€source€codeÔ#†Xá\XX Xá\ÿ«#Ô€and€15%€will€automatically€beÐ 4„  Ðdeducted€from€the€prices€shown€in€their€catalog€and€on€their€website€for€all€non€pharmaceuticalÐ  p Ðproducts.€Ð  \ ÐÔ‡ Xá\XXXá\Ôò òÌó óÌÌò òÔ‡ ¼^ö»X Xá\ÔPartner€Member€Benefitsó óÔ#† Xá\X» ¼^öe®#ÔÐ ¼  ÐFree€benefits€unless€otherwise€notedÐ Ð  ÐÌò òòòAll€Members€WorldwideÐ ¨ø Ðó óóóòòð ðPartners€Forumððóó€€NewsletterÐ ”ä ÐEmergency€Recovery€Kit€„€Bayer€fundedÐ €Ð ÐInternational€Help„line€[€call€or€write€]òòò òÐ l¼ ÐÌAvailable€in€United€Statesóóó óÐ D” Ð*€€€Sentinel€from€Ô_ÔNovartisÔ_Ô€(Ô_ÔheartwormÔ_Ô€preventative)Ð 0 € Ð*€€Advantage€or€Ô_ÔAdvantixÔ_Ô€from€BayerÐ !l Ð*€€Ô_ÔCosequinÔ_Ô€from€Ô_ÔNutramaxÔ_Ô€LaboratoriesÐ "X Ð*€€Ô_ÔWelactinÔ_Ô€from€Ô_ÔNutramaxÔ_Ô€LaboratoriesÐ ô"D  Ð*€€Ô_ÔDenosylÔ_Ô€from€Ô_ÔNutramaxÔ_Ô€LaboratoriesÐ à#0! Ð*€€Avid€Microchip€„€Avid€ID€System€Inc.Ð Ì$ " Ð*€€Registration€in€Pet€Ô_ÔTracÔ_Ô€and/or€theÐ ¸%!# Ѐ€€€AKC€Companion€Animal€RecoveryÐ ¤&ô!$ Ð*€€Veterinary€Care€Partnership€GrantÐ 'à"% Ѐ€€€€(€Eligibility€Guidelines€on€website)Ð |(Ì#& Ð*€€KV€Vet€Supplies€offers€15%€off€allÐ h)¸$' Ѐ€€€€€€€€€€€€non€pharmaceutical€productsÐ T*¤%( Ð*€€Veterinary€Care€Centers€„€10%€discountÐ @+&) Ð*€€Ruff€Wear€toys,€products€„€up€to€a€50%€discountÐ ,,|'* Ð*€€Ft.€Dodge€„€Vaccine€Rebate€up€to€$20Ð -h(+ Ðòòóó*€€Access€&€Education€BrochureÐ ° ÐÌò òòòAvailable€in€Canadaóóó óÐ ˆØ Ð*€€€Advantage„Multi€from€BayerÐ tÄ Ѐ€€€(€Ô_ÔheartwormÔ_Ô,€fleas,€other€parasites)Ð `° Ð*€€€Advantage€flea€control€from€BayerÐ L œ Ð*€€€Hillsðð€Prescription€Diet€foodÐ 8 ˆ Ð*€€€Ô_ÔCosequinÔ_Ô€from€Ô_ÔNutramaxÔ_ÔÐ $ t Ð*€€€Rebate€check€for€Wyeth€vaccinesÐ  ` Ð*€€€Avid€MicrochipÐ ü L  ÐÌò òNote:ó ó€Members€in€the€UK,€other€countries€Ð Ô$  Ðare€encouraged€to€seek€similar€benefits€Ð Ä  Ðfrom€companies€for€their€geographical€area€Ð °  ÐÌò òÌÌÌÌÔ‡  ¼_X Xá\ÔSchools€Collaborate€to€Help€Guide€Dog€UserÔ#† Xá\X ¼_ ¸#ÔÐ 8ˆ Ðó ó€Ð r ÐÌRE:€€Service€Dogs€for€America€and€Guiding€Eyes€for€the€Blind€team€up€to€train€a€Guide€Dog€/Ð Jš ÐService€Dog€for€North€Carolina€man.Ð 6† ÐÌ€€€€€€The€story€begins€in€the€fall€of€2005€when€Kathy€Zubricki€of€Guiding€Eyes€for€the€Blind,€Inc.Ð ^ Ðcontacted€Great€Plains€Executive€Director€Micheal€Goehring.€€The€New€York€based€guide€dogÐ úJ Ðschool€had€placed€a€working€guide€with€Jeffrey€[Jes]€Smith€in€2002.€€After€graduating€highÐ æ6 Ðschool€Jes€was€off€to€college€like€so€many€other€young€people€of€his€age.€€His€trusty€guide€dogÐ Ò" Ð[Harley]€by€his€side.Ð ¾ Ѐ€€€€€€€During€his€freshman€year€Jes€began€having€seizures.€€After€further€medical€examination€JesÐ ª ú Ðwas€diagnosed€with€epilepsy.€€The€doctors€recommended€that€he€put€his€college€career€on€hold.Ð –!æ Ѐ€€€€€€€Jes€was€heartbroken€and€frightened.€€He€had€been€blind€since€age€5€and€had€done€well€inÐ ‚"Ò  Ðlearning€the€skills€needed€to€make€his€way€in€a€sighted€world.€€But€now€he€had€the€new€challengeÐ n#¾! Ðof€the€seizure€activity€and€his€life€was€put€on€hold.€€This€situation€combined€with€side€effectsÐ Z$ª" Ðfrom€medications€sent€Jes€into€a€depression.€€He€moved€back€home€with€his€mother€andÐ F%– # Ðremained€close€to€home.Ð 2&‚!$ Ѐ€€€€€€Jes€and€his€mother€[Pam]€had€heard€about€dogs€trained€to€intervene€with€seizures.€€The€twoÐ 'n"% Ðof€them€began€investigating€and€contacted€Guiding€Eyes€for€the€Blind;€where€they€had€gone€toÐ  (Z#& Ðget€Jesðð€fantastic€guide€Harley.€€In€the€early€fall€of€2005€Kathy€Zubricki€[Guiding€Eyes€for€theÐ ö(F$' ÐBlind,€Inc.]€remembered€attending€an€Assistance€Dogs€International€program€where€GoehringÐ â)2%( Ðhad€presented.€€Zubricki€phoned€Goehring€and€posed€the€questionð8ð€could€this€5€year€oldÐ Î*&) ÐLabrador€guide€dog€be€cross€trained€to€intervene€with€seizures?Ð º+ '* Ѐ€€€€€€€€GEB€invited€Goehring€to€evaluate€the€team€and€assess€whether€or€not€Harley€would€be€aÐ ¦,ö'+ Ðcandidate€for€cross-training.€€Zubricki€and€Goehring€spent€2€days€evaluating€the€team.€€It€wasÐ ’-â(, Ðapparent€that€the€guide€skills€needed€some€work€due€to€Jesðð€inactivity.€€However,€at€five€years€ofÐ ° Ðage€Harley€demonstrated€a€good€aptitude€for€Emergency€Response€training.€€Ð œì Ѐ€€€€€€€After€some€thought€Zubricki€and€Goehring€decided€to€have€GEB€trainers€bring€Harley€to€theÐ ˆØ ÐGreat€Plains€facility€in€Jud.€€The€mission€was€two-fold.€€Teach€GEB€trainers€how€to€add€theÐ tÄ ÐEmergency€Medical€Response€training€to€Harleyððs€functions.€€Also,€to€get€Harley€started€on€theÐ `° Ðtraining€itself.€€Both€agencies€wanted€to€conduct€this€as€quickly€as€possible€as€Jes€would€be€leftÐ L œ Ðwithout€his€guide€and€companion€of€three€years.Ð 8 ˆ Ѐ€€€€€€€Kathy€Rooney€and€Graham€Buck€each€attended€training€[with€Harley]€at€the€Great€PlainsÐ $ t Ðfacility€in€early€November€of€2005.€€This€was€a€wonderful€experience€for€all€involved.€€The€GEBÐ  ` Ðtrainers€represented€more€than€25€years€of€combined€guide€dog€training€experience.€€The€GEBÐ ü L  Ðtrainers€were€impressed€with€the€innovation€and€open-minded€approach€that€Great€PlainsÐ è 8  Ðimplements€at€its€facility.Ð Ô$  Ѐ€€€€€€€€€Mr.€Buck€accepted€responsibility€for€continuing€the€training€and€finishing€Harley€as€anÐ À  Ðemergency€medical€response€dog.€€Ô_ÔGoehringÔ_Ô€would€play€the€roll€of€coach€and€teacher.€€Buck€andÐ ¬ü  ÐÔ_ÔGoehringÔ_Ô€emailed€one€another€[almost€daily]€to€insure€that€any€problems€would€be€caught€earlyÐ ˜è  Ðon.€€With€Buckððs€aptitude€and€Ô_ÔGoehringÔ_Ôððs€experience€things€progressed€quickly.Ð „Ô  Ѐ€€€€€€€€On€February€5th€of€2006€Ô_ÔGoehringÔ_Ô€flew€to€New€York€to€evaluate€Harleyððs€progress.€€HarleyÐ pÀ Ðchecked€out€just€fine.€€Ô_ÔGoehringÔ_Ô€also€presented€to€the€executive€staff,€board€members€and€trainersÐ \¬ Ðof€GEB€to€bring€them€up€to€speed€on€the€endeavor.Ð H˜ Ѐ€€€€€€€€In€the€early€morning€hours€of€the€7th€of€February€Ô_ÔGoehringÔ_Ô€and€Buck€flew€to€NorthÐ 4„ ÐCarolina€to€transition€Harley€back€to€Ô_ÔJesÔ_Ô.€€The€re„placement€went€beautifully€as€Buck€andÐ  p ÐÔ_ÔGoehringÔ_Ô€worked€together€and€within€their€field€of€expertise.€€Perhaps€the€most€dramatic€momentÐ  \ Ðcame€when€Ô_ÔJesÔ_Ôðð€mother€Pam€was€overcome€by€tears€in€reaction€to€Harley€activating€theÐ øH ÐAlert-Dogðð€system.€€It€became€apparent€to€both€Ô_ÔGoehringÔ_Ô€and€Buck€that€through€Harley€it€wasÐ ä4 Ðreally€hope€that€they€were€delivering.Ð Ð  ÐÔ#†Xá\XX Xá\:®#ÔÌSubmitted€by€Service€Dogs€of€America,€reprinted€with€permissionÐ ¨ø ÐÌÌÌÌ€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€ò òÔ‡ ¼_XXá\ÔA€Tail€To€Telló óÔ#†Xá\X ¼_¨Í#Ô€€Ð D!” ÐÌ€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€Toni€and€Ed€Ô_ÔEamesÔ_Ô€€€Ð j#º! ÐÌ€€€€€€€€The€overriding€issue€in€our€lives€for€the€past€several€months€has€been€Toni's€ruptured€discÐ B%’ # Ðproblems€manifested€in€pain€localized€in€her€left€leg€between€the€ankle€and€knee.€€The€MRIÐ .&~!$ Ðshowed€problems€in€the€lower€back€and€significant€stenosis,€a€narrowing€of€the€spinal€column.€Ð 'j"% ÐSo€far,€she€has€tried€physical€therapy,€acupuncture,€Ô_ÔchiropractoryÔ_Ô,€cortisone€shots€and€is€nowÐ (V#& Ðundergoing€treatment€in€a€decompression€machine€developed€by€NASA.€€We're€hoping€the€nextÐ ò(B$' Ðstep€won't€be€surgery!Ð Þ).%( Ѐ€€€€€€€Toni€can€only€walk€short€distances€without€extreme€pain,€so€her€Golden€Retriever€guide€dogÐ Ê*&) ÐÔ_ÔKeeblerÔ_Ô€has€not€been€an€active€guide€for€the€last€six€months.€€When€we€travel€or€go€for€extendedÐ ¶+'* Ðlocal€excursions,€Toni€has€been€pushed€in€a€wheelchair.€€Wanting€Ô_ÔKeeblerÔ_Ô€to€have€someÐ ¢,ò'+ Ðoutside-the-home€work,€Toni,€with€the€help€of€Guide€Dogs€for€the€Blind€field€trainer€EmilyÐ Ž-Þ(, ÐSimone,€has€taught€Ô_ÔKeeblerÔ_Ô€to€heel€next€to€a€wheelchair.€€When€the€pusher€follows€directions,Ð ° ÐToni€is€warned€when€approaching€a€narrow€entryway,€so€Ô_ÔKeeblerÔ_Ô€can€enter€first€then€come€backÐ œì Ðto€heel€when€the€chair€goes€through.€€Emily€and€Toni€took€the€opportunity€while€working€onÐ ˆØ Ðwheelchair€training€to€also€work€on€Ô_ÔKeeblerÔ_Ô's€scavenging€propensity.€€It's€often€said€when€trainersÐ tÄ Ðare€around,€problems€magically€disappear!€€Although€Emily€scattered€enticing€food€bits€on€theÐ `° Ðfloor€of€the€mall€and€our€local€Petco,€Keebler€responded€with€apparent€disgust€at€the€thought€ofÐ L œ Ðpicking€up€food€from€the€floor.€€She€turned€her€head€and€acted€totally€disinterested€in€theseÐ 8 ˆ Ðdelectable€tidbits.€€Several€days€later,€when€Keebler€licked€crumbs€from€the€floor€under€aÐ $ t Ðrestaurant€table,€Toni€jokingly€warned€her€that€Emily€was€sitting€in€the€next€booth€and€wouldÐ  ` Ðcatch€her€in€the€act!€€€€Ð ü L  Ѐ€€€€€€The€week€before€Thanksgiving,€Debbie€Prieto€drove€us€to€northern€California€to€attend€theÐ è 8  ÐCat€Writers€Association€conference€and€Cat€Fanciers€Association€cat€show.€€Keebler€and€Ed'sÐ Ô$  Ðguide€Golden€Retriever€Latrell,€like€their€predecessors€Escort€and€Echo,€took€little€interest€in€theÐ À  Ðcats.€€Unlike€previous€years,€however,€people€exhibiting€their€cats€were€pretty€loose€about€lettingÐ ¬ü  Ðus€touch€and€stroke€them.€€We€encountered€the€three€rex€breeds,€Cornish,€Celkirk€and€Devon,Ð ˜è  Ðand€met€a€Siberian€and€a€Ragamuffin.€€Debbie€was€surprised€at€the€thin€sleek€look€of€the€showÐ „Ô  ÐSiamese.€Our€Siamese€Kizzy€is€the€old€fashioned€apple€headed€type€and€is€not€elongated€like€theÐ pÀ Ðshow€cats.€€One€of€the€kittens€Toni€was€holding€was€so€curious€about€Keebler,€he€reached€downÐ \¬ Ðto€meet€her.€€At€the€moment€they€touched€noses,€a€photographer€took€a€picture.€€€€Ð H˜ Ѐ€€€€€€€A€week€before€Christmas,€IAADP€board€member€Carol€King€and€her€Yorkie€service€dogÐ 4„ ÐHeart€joined€us€at€€a€consensus€conference€on€emergency€preparedness€and€disaster€relief€forÐ  p Ðpeople€with€disabilities€in€Washington,€DC.€€Ð  \ Ѐ€€€€€€On€our€arrival,€we€were€picked€up€by€friend€Joe€Miraglia.€€Our€€initial€destination€wasÐ øH ÐEdgewood,€Maryland€where€Nutramax€Laboratories,€one€of€IAADP's€sponsors,€is€located.€€TheÐ ä4 Ðtwo€in-€service€presentations€we€gave€at€Nutramax€the€next€day€were€great,€and€our€host,€Dr.Ð Ð  ÐBarbara€Eves€read€a€letter€at€the€presentations€from€an€IAADP€member€about€how€important€theÐ ¼  ÐNutramax€product€Cosequin€was€to€maintaining€her€service€dog's€ability€to€continue€working€forÐ ¨ø Ðher.€Ð ”ä Ѐ€€€€€€€The€next€day€it€was€off€by€taxi€to€the€Watergate€Hotel,€where€the€conference€was€being€held.€Ð €Ð ÐIt€was€well€organized€and€was€attended€by€an€interesting€mix€of€medical€doctors€and€nurses,Ð l¼ Ðgovernment€officials,€emergency€responders€and€disabled€people.€€Wanting€to€relax€during€theÐ X ¨ Ðlast€night€of€our€stay,€we€arranged€to€attend€a€performance€at€the€Kennedy€Center.€€When€theÐ D!” ÐWatergate€Hotel€doorman€flagged€a€taxi,€the€driver,€seeing€us€approaching€with€the€dogs,€spedÐ 0"€  Ðaway!€€When€the€next€driver€was€about€to€refuse,€we€opened€the€doors,€and€against€his€protest,Ð #l! Ðgot€in.€€To€add€to€our€aggravation,€he€dropped€us€at€the€wrong€entrance€necessitating€a€painfulÐ $X" Ðwalk€for€Toni.€€The€play€Shear€Madness€was€a€farce,€and€if€it€weren't€for€the€audio-description€€Ð ô$D # Ðprovided€by€the€Kennedy€Center,€our€enjoyment€of€the€play€would€have€been€greatly€diminished.€Ð à%0!$ ÐGetting€back€to€the€hotel€was€easy€since€the€theater€manager€secured€a€taxi€for€us.€€Ð Ì&"% Ѐ€€€€€€€Despite€needing€wheelchair€assistance€for€Toni,€we€were€back€to€our€usual€hectic€travelÐ ¸'#& Ðschedule€in€January.€€Our€first€trip€was€to€participate€in€the€North€American€VeterinaryÐ ¤(ô#' ÐConference€(NAVC)€in€Orlando,€Florida.€€On€the€evening€of€our€arrival,€a€NAVC€reporter€andÐ )à$( Ðcamera€man€met€us€at€the€hotel€to€do€a€short€interview€about€the€presentations€we€would€be€doingÐ |*Ì%) Ðthe€next€morning€and€the€book€signing€for€Fort€Dodge€Animal€Health,€sponsor€of€our€conferenceÐ h+¸&* Ðparticipation.€€The€10€minute€telecast€was€shown€at€various€times€and€people€frequentlyÐ T,¤'+ Ðrecognized€us€and€the€dogs€in€the€exhibit€hall.€Ð @-(, Ѐ€€€€€€€€Our€Saturday€4€hour€presentation,€"Veterinarians€as€Healers,€Helpers€and€Humanitarians:Ð ° ÐSupporting€the€Assistance€Dog€Movement",€was€well€received€by€those€attending.€€The€sessionÐ œì Ðtitles€were€My€Patient€Has€a€Job€and€Needs€to€Stay€Fit!,€Making€Clients€With€Disabilities€FeelÐ ˆØ ÐWelcome!,€Supporting€the€Assistance€Dog€Movement€with€My€Time€and€Expertise!€andÐ tÄ ÐConsumer€Support€and€the€Animal€Health€Care€Community!.€€The€last€session€focused€onÐ `° ÐIAADP€and€its€relationships€with€pharmaceutical€and€dog€food€companies.€€€The€evening€wasÐ L œ Ðspent€with€Dr.€Guy€Hancock,€a€member€of€the€IAADP€Advisory€Board.€€€Ð 8 ˆ Ѐ€€€€€€€€One€of€the€things€we€especially€love€about€veterinary€conferences€is€cruising€the€exhibitÐ $ t Ðhall€where€we€pick€up€goodies€and€make€contacts€benefiting€IAADP.€€Of€course,€Latrell€andÐ  ` ÐKeebler€got€lots€of€attention€and€petting€from€many€of€the€vets€who€face€canine€deprivation€whenÐ ü L  Ðthey€are€away€from€their€practices€for€more€than€24€hours!€€The€NAVC€conference€plannersÐ è 8  Ðprovided€two€lovely€escorts€who€helped€us€negotiate€the€crowded€exhibit€area.€€€Having€Toni€inÐ Ô$  Ðthe€wheelchair€made€it€easier€to€carry€our€gathered€booty!€€As€participants€in€€many€veterinaryÐ À  Ðconferences€over€the€years,€we've€gotten€to€know€several€of€the€vendors€and€were€greeted€likeÐ ¬ü  Ðlong€lost€friends€and€given€lots€of€take€Ô_ÔawaysÔ_Ô!€Ð ˜è  Ѐ€€€€€€€It€was€at€a€conference€several€years€ago€that€we€stopped€off€at€the€Barx€Brothers€booth€andÐ „Ô  Ðmet€CEO€Ceil€Moore.€€Last€year€she€featured€Latrell€and€her€cat€Mercer€on€a€line€of€sympathyÐ pÀ Ðcards€for€the€veterinary€market.€€This€year€Latrell€and€Keebler€are€the€poster€kids.€€Ceil€takesÐ \¬ Ðphotos€of€her€subjects,€then€paints€exquisite€pictures.€€The€2006€offering€shows€both€dogs€inÐ H˜ Ðharness€lying€on€a€grassy€plain.€€In€addition€to€the€cards,€prints€will€be€sold€to€the€veterinaryÐ 4„ Ðcommunity€and€the€profits€donated€to€IAADP.€€Ð  p Ѐ€€€€€€€€After€a€full€day€in€the€exhibit€hall,€Ceil,€her€assistant€Terry€and€we€were€exhausted,€soÐ  \ Ðopted€for€Chinese€delivery€at€our€hotel€that€evening.€€Ð øH Ѐ€€€€€€€€Monday€was€another€full€day.€€It€began€by€meeting€Dr.€Carin€Smith€for€breakfast,€anotherÐ ä4 Ðmember€of€the€Advisory€Board.€€€€We€first€met€Carin€at€the€cat€writers€seminar€and€she's€been€aÐ Ð  Ðfun€date€at€many€veterinary€conferences€since€then.€€Ð ¼  Ѐ€€€€€€€€Most€of€the€rest€of€the€day€was€spent€at€the€Fort€Dodge€booth€signing€and€giving€away€ourÐ ¨ø ÐPartners€in€Independence€books.€€Fort€Dodge€generously€purchased€several€hundred€copies€toÐ ”ä Ðdistribute€to€NAVC€participants.€€Ed€was€busy€at€the€booth€and€unable€to€join€Toni€when€she€hadÐ €Ð Ðlunch€with€Dr.€Karen€Overall.€€Karen€will€always€hold€a€special€place€in€our€hearts€for€herÐ l¼ Ðintervention€with€Toni's€former€guide€dog€Escort€when€he€was€overtaken€by€anxiety.€€We€metÐ X ¨ ÐKaren,€a€world-renowned€pharmacological€behaviorist,€several€years€earlier€at€a€veterinaryÐ D!” Ðconference.€On€observing€Escort's€behavioral€breakdown,€she€prescribed€an€anti-anxiety€drug€thatÐ 0"€  Ðkept€him€working€until€his€death€several€years€later€from€cancer.€€Ð #l! Ѐ€€€€€€The€last€day€of€our€Orlando€stay€started€with€breakfast€with€Mike€Gendreau€and€SteveÐ $X" ÐHoffman€of€Fort€Dodge.€€This€company€has€been€incredibly€generous€with€IAADP€and€we€areÐ ô$D # Ðmost€grateful.€€Ceil€joined€us€and€we€worked€out€arrangements€for€the€distribution€of€her€printsÐ à%0!$ Ðas€an€IAADP€fund€raiser.€€Before€catching€our€flight€home,€we€had€lunch€with€relatives.€€Toni'sÐ Ì&"% ÐAunt€Stef€was€delighted€with€her€introduction€to€fried€plantains,€one€of€our€Caribbean€favorites!Ð ¸'#& Ѐ€€€€€€With€only€three€days€at€home,€we€were€off€to€San€Diego€in€a€rented€van€with€IAADP€dataÐ ¤(ô#' Ðbase€manager€Kathi€Diaz,€Debbie€Prieto€and€her€daughter€Nellie.€€With€all€of€us€chatting€andÐ )à$( Ðsocializing,€the€seven€hour€trip€flew€by.€€That€night€we€had€dinner€at€a€great€steak€restaurantÐ |*Ì%) Ðlocated€on€the€Town€and€Country€Hotel€grounds,€site€of€the€IAADP/ADI€conference.€€We€wereÐ h+¸&* Ðjoined€by€Joan€Froling,€her€friend€Cindi€Fleishans,€Carol€Davis€and€Charly€King.€€Carol€andÐ T,¤'+ ÐCharly,€San€Diego€residents€and€co-directors€of€Pawsitive€Teams,€a€service€dog€training€program,Ð @-(, Ðgraciously€stored€the€more€than€40€cartons€of€donated€items€provided€by€various€companies€forÐ ° Ðthe€conference.€€Ð œì Ѐ€€€€€€€€€€Sunday€was€set€aside€for€sight€seeing.€€IAADP€scholarship€winners€Wendy€Morrell€fromÐ ˆØ ÐEngland€with€Golden€Retriever€service€dog€Caesar€and€Tanya€Eversole€from€Cincinnati€withÐ tÄ ÐLabrador€Retriever€service€dog€Brooke,,€flew€in€early€to€join€these€fun€outings.€€Completing€theÐ `° Ðtouring€group€were€Cindi€and€IAADP€board€members€Carol€King€with€Heart€and€Devon€WilkinsÐ L œ Ðwith€Labrador€Retriever€guide€dog€Oak.€€Devon€flew€in€from€Toronto€Canada,€while€Carol€had€aÐ 8 ˆ Ðone€hour€drive€from€her€home€in€Oceanside.Ð $ t Ѐ€€€€€€€€Sunday€morning's€excitement€was€a€behind€the€scenes€tour€at€the€San€Diego€Zoo.€€InÐ  ` Ðaddition€to€touching€an€alligator,€an€emu€and€a€pacarana,€a€large€South€American€rodent,€the€zooÐ ü L  Ðstaff€wanted€to€see€how€the€resident€giraffes€would€interact€with€six€dogs.€€€Primarily€interestedÐ è 8  Ðin€the€alfalfa€biscuits€we€offered€them,€the€giraffes€ignored€the€dogs€and€the€dogs€reciprocated!€Ð Ô$  ÐEach€species€focused€on€the€food,€not€on€each€other!€€Ð À  Ѐ€€€€€€€€The€afternoon€adventure€was€a€ride€on€an€amphibian€bus/boat.€€After€a€brief€narrated€tourÐ ¬ü  Ðof€Old€Town€San€Diego,€the€vehicle€drove€down€a€ramp€into€the€bay€and€we€motored€to€a€nearbyÐ ˜è  Ðisland€inhabited€by€sea€lions.€€Despite€the€loud€vehicle€motor,€we€thrilled€in€listening€to€theÐ „Ô  Ðbarking€of€these€marine€mammals,€while€our€friends€took€lots€of€photos.€€Back€on€land€andÐ pÀ Ðreturning€to€the€starting€point,€we€needed€to€negotiate€a€steep€open€step€ladder€to€get€off€the€bus.€Ð \¬ ÐIt€wasn't€a€problem€climbing€up,€but€it€seemed€rather€daunting€on€the€descent.€€Toni's€fears€wereÐ H˜ Ðunfounded,€and€she€made€it€down€without€incident.€€Surprisingly,€the€dogs€showed€no€fear€andÐ 4„ Ðscampered€down€without€a€second€thought.€€Ð  p Ѐ€€€€€€€Tuesday€was€the€first€day€of€board€meetings€devoted€primarily€to€conference€planning.€Ð  \ ÐAfter€getting€to€know€Tanya€and€Wendy,€the€board€was€thrilled€to€invite€this€awesome€twosomeÐ øH Ðto€join€us€in€directing€the€future€of€the€organization!Ð ä4 Ѐ€€€€€€€€That€evening,€we€set€up€an€€assembly€line€to€package€the€many€fantastic€dog€toys€andÐ Ð  Ðequipment€donated€by€the€wonderful€sponsors.€€Ð ¼  Ѐ€€€€€€€€The€beauty€of€having€a€suite€was€the€dogs'€ability€to€unwind€and€play€with€one€another.€€ItÐ ¨ø Ðwasn't€uncommon€to€have€8€off€leash€pooches€gamboling€together.Ð ”ä Ѐ€€€€€€€€Wednesday€was€more€business€meetings,€some€of€which€Ed€missed€for€an€exciting€reason.€Ð €Ð ÐKNBC€Channel€4€Los€Angeles€had€arranged€to€talk€with€him€about€the€Department€ofÐ l¼ ÐTransportation€issue€of€large€assistance€dogs€fitting€in€the€leg€space€in€front€of€aÐ X ¨ Ðdisabled€passenger€in€the€cabin€of€an€airplane.€€Mary€Harris,€the€producer,€interviewed€Ed€forÐ D!” Ðmore€than€an€hour.€€The€television€crew€spent€several€hours€at€that€night's€hospitality€receptionÐ 0"€  Ðspeaking€with€others.€€Although€the€reception,€like€all€large€noisy€gatherings,€give€us€theÐ #l! Ðopportunity€to€say€hello€to€many€old€friends,€it€is€also€a€source€of€frustration€because€it€isÐ $X" Ðhard€for€us€as€blind€people€to€circulate€in€the€crowd€and€difficult€to€hear€conversations€with€theÐ ô$D # Ðbuzz€of€so€many€voices.€Ð à%0!$ Ѐ€€€€€€€€One€of€the€new€voices€this€year€was€Bob€Walker€and€his€wife€Frances€Mooney.€€At€the€CatÐ Ì&"% ÐWriters€conference€in€November,€we€recruited€Bob,€A€San€Diego-based€professional€felineÐ ¸'#& Ðphotographer,€to€attend€the€IAADP€conference€as€our€official€picture€taker.€€Jazzed€by€hisÐ ¤(ô#' Ðconference€experience,€Bob€is€now€planning€a€photographic€book€portrayal€of€assistance€dogs!€Ð )à$( ÐHe€admits€to€being€a€cross-species€convert!Ð |*Ì%) Ѐ€€€€€€Ô_ÔIAADPÔ_Ô€conference€day,€six€months€in€the€making,€got€off€to€a€smashing€start€with€a€movingÐ h+¸&* Ðkeynote€speech€by€scholarship€winner€Wendy€Morrell.€€For€the€second€year€in€a€row,€plannedÐ T,¤'+ Ðspeaker€actor/singer€Tom€Sullivan€canceled€at€the€last€minute€when€Hollywood€called.€€WendyÐ @-(, Ðgraciously€took€on€the€challenge€and€had€the€audience€enchanted€by€her€story.€€As€an€athlete€inÐ ° Ðher€late€20s,€Wendy€had€a€wonderful€life€and€a€job€she€loved.€€Exercising€at€a€gym€one€day,€sheÐ œì Ðwas€the€victim€of€a€thoughtless€accident,€when€a€discus€hit€her€in€the€head€causing€brain€damage.€Ð ˆØ ÐAfter€months€in€a€coma,€she€lived€for€years€as€a€recluse,€depending€on€several€unreliable€andÐ tÄ Ðdishonest€helpers.€€Then€Caesar,€trained€by€Dogs€for€the€Disabled,€leaped€into€her€life,€changingÐ `° Ðthe€course€of€her€existence!€€This€Golden€Retriever€boy€literally€and€figuratively€opened€doorsÐ L œ Ðfor€her.€€She€has€now€traveled€to€several€European€countries,€telling€her€story€and€becoming€aÐ 8 ˆ Ðspokesperson€for€the€impact€of€assistance€dogs€on€the€lives€of€their€disabled€partners.€€At€the€endÐ $ t Ðof€her€presentation,€those€in€the€audience€able€to€stand,€rose€to€their€feet€in€a€spontaneousÐ  ` Ðovation.€€Ð ü L  Ѐ€€€€€€We€have€a€knack€of€finding€magic€genies€when€the€bottle€becomes€uncorked!€€Tim€Joniec,Ð è 8  Ðcustomer€relations€officer€at€the€San€Diego€airport,€came€to€our€rescue€by€suggesting€a€speaker.€Ð Ô$  ÐTim€arranged€for€Maria€Younker,€Director€of€Customer€Services,€to€speak€about€what€the€airportÐ À  Ðdoes€to€make€passengers€with€disabilities€feel€welcome.€€They've€already€installed€an€area€forÐ ¬ü  Ðtraveling€dogs€and€plan€to€expand€this€service.€€On€conference€day€Maria€quipped€that€WendyÐ ˜è  Ðwas€a€hard€act€to€follow,€but€€the€audience€was€delighted€to€learn€that€concerns€aboutÐ „Ô  Ðtravel€with€their€dogs€were€being€addressed.€Ð pÀ Ѐ€€€€€€Other€interesting€presentations€were€made€by€staff€at€Paws€With€A€Cause,€Guide€Dogs€forÐ \¬ Ðthe€Blind€and€a€professor€from€the€University€of€Pennsylvania.€€Steve€Hoffman€from€Fort€DodgeÐ H˜ Ðpresented€the€scholarships€and€Barbara€Eves€of€Nutramax€talked€about€her€company's€supportiveÐ 4„ Ðrelationship€with€IAADP.€€Ð  p Ѐ€€€€€€Board€members€Lynn€Houston€and€Jill€Exposito€ably€distributed€the€fantastic€array€of€doorÐ  \ Ðprizes€provided€by€our€many€supportive€companies.€€Audience€members€thrilled€when€theirÐ øH Ðnames€were€announced€to€receive€magnificent€gifts.€€€Ð ä4 Ѐ€€€€€€It€was€a€truly€fabulous€week€of€communalism€and€we€hated€to€leave.€€However,€weÐ Ð  Ðcontinued€the€camaraderie€when€Devon,€extended€her€time€away€from€frigid€Canada€and€returnedÐ ¼  Ðwith€us€to€Fresno€for€a€week.€€€On€the€last€day€of€her€stay,€about€20€people€and€10€pups€from€theÐ ¨ø Ðlocal€puppy€raising€group€descended€on€us€and€it€was€marvelous!€€€Keebler,€Latrell€and€OakÐ ”ä Ðloved€the€dog€party!€€We€showed€the€families€some€of€the€devices€we€use€in€daily€life€such€as€theÐ €Ð Ðcomputer€screen€reader€and€braille€writer.€€€Then€Devon€joined€us€in€speaking€about€the€impactÐ l¼ Ðof€their€dedication€to€rearing€well€adjusted€puppies€on€our€future€lives€as€guide€dog€partners.€€Ð X ¨ Ѐ€€€€€€€€On€February€22€Channel€4€KNBC€Los€Angeles€aired€the€piece€they€filmed€in€San€Diego€atÐ D!” Ðthe€IAADP€conference.€€Subsequently€it€was€shown€in€many€cities€throughout€the€United€States.€Ð 0"€  ÐThe€power€of€the€media,€added€to€IAADP's€other€efforts,€can€be€seen€elsewhere€in€this€issue.Ð #l! ÐÌToni€and€Ed€Eames€can€be€contacted€at€3376€North€Wishon,€Fresno,€CA€93704-4832;€Tel.€559€-Ð ô$D # Ð224-0544;€e-mail€eeames@csufresno.edu.€Ð à%0!$ ÐÌÌò òÌÔ‡ ¼_XXá\ÔAbout€My€Guide€Dog€ð ðÔ_ÔIndyÔ_Ôððó óÔ#†Xá\X ¼_#ÔÐ )à$( ÐÌBy€Leonard€A.€McHughÐ ¶+'* Ѐ̀€€€€€€I€am€frequently€asked€questions€about€Indy,€my€Freedom€Guide€Dog.€€People€want€to€knowÐ Ž-Þ(, Ðwhere€he€was€trained€and€if€I€had€any€difficulty€learning€to€work€with€him.€I€had€always€used€aÐ ° Ðcane€to€get€around€and€never€saw€the€need€for€a€dog€guide€in€the€first€place.€After€all,€my€caneÐ œì Ðwas€extremely€low€maintenance.€It€never€needed€to€be€fed,€or€cleaned€up€or€taken€to€a€vet.Ð ˆØ ÐI€always€liked€dogs,€but€I€was€a€little€skeptical€about€trusting€one€with€my€life.€It€wasn't€until€afterÐ tÄ Ðbeing€discharged€from€physical€therapy€following€my€surgery€which€resulted€in€paralysis,€that€IÐ `° Ðeven€entertained€the€idea€of€acquiring€a€dog€guide.€Because€of€all€the€complications€during€myÐ L œ Ðsurgery€and€after€it,€I€lost€a€great€deal€of€strength€and€coordination€in€my€arms€and€hands.€EvenÐ 8 ˆ Ðafter€intense€physical€therapy,€I€only€regained€about€forty€percent€use€of€my€left€arm.€The€caneÐ $ t Ðthat€I€had€relied€on€for€so€long€was€now€totally€useless€for€me.€If€I€were€to€regain€any€amount€ofÐ  ` Ðindependence€and€self-reliance€I€had€two€choices:€either€wait€for€others€to€assist€me€or€breakÐ ü L  Ðdown€and€look€into€a€dog€guide.€I€chose€the€latter.€It€turned€out€not€to€be€as€easily€accomplishedÐ è 8  Ðas€I€had€imagined.Ð Ô$  Ѐ€€€€€€Because€of€my€physical€limitations,€all€of€the€well-known€schools€for€training€dog€guidesÐ À  Ðthat€I€had€contacted€turned€me€down.€It€wasn't€until€I€came€in€contact€with€Eric€Loori,€the€trainerÐ ¬ü  Ðfor€Freedom€Guide€Dogs,€that€my€hope€of€independent€travel€was€restored.€He€assured€me€that€heÐ ˜è  Ðcould€find€a€dog€that€could€be€trained€to€work€with€my€limitations.Ð „Ô  Ѐ€€€€€€In€April€1998,€Eric€came€to€my€house€with€Indy€to€begin€the€two-week€home€trainingÐ pÀ Ðprogram.€It€didn't€take€long€for€Indy€to€work€his€way€into€my€heart€and€life.€Six€months€later,€weÐ \¬ Ðwere€a€g€5reat€working€team,€and€I€now€regret€that€I€didn't€look€into€dog€guides€thirty€years€ago.Ð H˜ ÐNow€I€can't€imagine€what€my€life€would€be€like€without€Indy.Ð 4„ Ѐ€€€€€€€Before€I€had€Indy,€I€needed€someone€to€drive€me€to€the€barbershop€and€after€getting€my€hairÐ  p Ðcut,€I€would€sometimes€walk€the€mile€or€so€trip€back€home€using€my€cane.€The€walk€home€wouldÐ  \ Ðtake€me€about€an€hour.€Now,€Indy€and€I€can€make€the€trip€in€fifteen€minutes.€Since€I€no€longerÐ øH Ðneed€to€have€someone€drive€me€to€the€shop,€we€make€it€a€round€trip€excursion.€We€even€made€itÐ ä4 Ðthere€and€back€during€a€snowstorm.€With€several€inches€on€the€ground€and€more€falling,€it€wouldÐ Ð  Ðhave€been€an€impossible€task€using€only€my€cane.€Indy€and€I€made€the€trip€in€forty€minutes.Ð ¼  Ѐ€€€€€€€€I€have€my€lighthearted€moments€with€Indy€too.€As€part€of€his€training,€Indy€followsÐ ¨ø Ðcommands€such€as€"find€outside"€where€he€will€look€for€a€door€with€a€handle,€or€"find€a€seat"Ð ”ä Ðleading€me€to€an€available€chair.€Unfortunately,€he€is€indiscriminate€in€his€selections€of€either.€AtÐ €Ð Ða€restaurant€located€in€a€mall,€the€"find€outside"€command€led€me€to€a€freezer€with€a€handle€andÐ l¼ Ð"find€a€seat"€found€me€in€an€empty€chair€at€a€table€of€strangers€having€dinner.€Even€buying€aÐ X ¨ Ðlottery€ticket€caused€a€few€chuckles€when€Indy,€not€knowing€the€concept€of€waiting€your€turn,Ð D!” Ðgiven€the€command€to€"find€the€counter"€did€just€that.€The€people€waiting€in€line€just€laughedÐ 0"€  Ðabout€it€and€told€me€to€go€ahead€of€them€when€they€realized€what€had€happened.Ð #l! Ѐ€€€€€€€Indy€also€possesses€a€keen€sense€of€awareness.€A€friend's€mother€had€passed€away€and€myÐ $X" Ðfriend€was€having€a€difficult€time€dealing€with€the€loss.€At€the€funeral,€Indy€kept€watching€herÐ ô$D # Ðfrom€across€the€room€because€she€was€crying€and€so€upset.€When€it€came€time€to€pay€finalÐ à%0!$ Ðrespects,€Indy€took€me€straight€to€her€instead€of€following€the€line€up€to€the€casket.€It€was€like€heÐ Ì&"% Ðwanted€to€let€her€know€that€we€both€came€to€express€our€sympathy€and€support.Ð ¸'#& Ѐ€€€€€€When€I€walk€down€the€street€I€often€can€hear€people€saying,€"Here€comes€Indy."€--Ð ¤(ô#' Ðsomewhere€along€the€line€I€lost€my€identity.€People€open€doors€for€Indy;€something€they€seldomÐ )à$( Ðdid€when€it€was€just€my€cane€and€me.€With€Indy,€I€don't€need€as€much€outside€help€and€I'mÐ |*Ì%) Ðgetting€it€in€abundance.€When€I€did€need€the€help,€I€didn't€get€enough€of€it.Ð h+¸&* Ѐ€€€€€€In€talking€about€Indy€and€other€dog€guides,€either€to€individuals€or€to€groups,€I€stress€howÐ T,¤'+ Ðimportant€it€is€not€to€approach€a€dog€guide€while€he€is€"working."€People€are€constantly€comingÐ @-(, Ðup€to€Indy€trying€to€give€him€a€treat€or€pet€him€while€he€is€in€harness.€In€fact€I€joke€aboutÐ ° Ðchanging€his€name€to€"Babe€Magnet"€because€of€all€the€females€he€attracts.€They€all€want€to€petÐ œì Ðhim€or€talk€to€him.€There€are€even€some€who€try€to€hug€and€kiss€him€when€he€is€supposed€toÐ ˆØ Ðbe€working.€A€dog€guide€has€an€awesome€responsibility€to€the€blind€person€he€is€with.€Their€livesÐ tÄ Ðliterally€depend€on€that€dog's€judgment€and€concentration.€€Being€distracted€in€any€way€couldÐ `° Ðresult€in€horrific€consequences.€Most€of€the€general€public€is€not€consciously€aware€of€this€andÐ L œ Ðneed€to€be€educated€in€this€regard.Ð 8 ˆ Ѐ€€€€€€I€believe€that€Indy€is€truly€part€of€God's€plan.€He€was€born€about€two€weeks€prior€to€myÐ $ t Ðsurgery€and€was€in€training€about€the€time€I€decided€that€I€truly€wanted€a€dog€guide.€Also€it€was€aÐ  ` Ðstrange€circumstance€that€I€found€Freedom€Guide€Dogs€and€their€wonderful€timing€to€expandÐ ü L  Ðinto€Pennsylvania.€I€don't€believe€that€the€timing€of€these€events€are€just€a€coincidence€but€part€ofÐ è 8  Ða€master€plan.Ð Ô$  ЀÌÌÌò òÔ‡ ¼_XXá\ÔYour€Assistance€Dog€Needs€To€Be€Ô_ÔMicrochippedÔ_Ô!ó óÔ#†Xá\X ¼_Ù4#ÔÐ „Ô  ÐÌ€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€Dan€KnoxÐ ªú Ѐ€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€Avid€Identification€System,€Inc.Ð –æ ÐÌ€€€€€€€€€€ð ð€Why€should€I€identify€my€assistance€dog€with€a€microchip?€€He€will€never€run€off,€sheÐ n¾ Ðwill€never€be€stolen,€I€will€never€be€involved€in€an€accident€or€we€will€never€be€facedÐ Zª Ðwith€a€natural€disaster"....€These€statements€were€probably€made€by€many€disabled€people€in€theÐ F– Ðlast€year€and,€unfortunately,€for€some,€circumstances€made€a€mockery€of€these€statements!Ð 2‚ Ѐ€€€€€€Don't€€let€loss€or€separation€happen€to€you€or€your€beloved€assistance€dog.€€Collars€and€tagsÐ n Ðcan€come€off,€tattoos€can€fade.€€Most€animal€shelters€do€not€look€for€tattoos€or€know€where€toÐ  Z Ðcall€if€faced€with€a€lost€assistance€dog.€€The€microchip€implant€is€safe,€fast,€involves€little€painÐ öF Ðand€is€the€most€permanent€identification€marker.€€€Most€animal€shelters€have€microchipÐ â2 Ðreaders,€so€identification€is€immediate.€€€Under€current€guidelines,€microchip€identified€animalsÐ Î Ðinvolved€in€a€disaster€receive€immediate€veterinary€care.Ð º  Ѐ€€€€€€Although€it€is€hard€to€imagine,€guide,€hearing€and€service€dogs€DO€get€separated€from€theirÐ ¦ ö Ðdisabled€partners€and€are€sometimes€stolen.€Without€permanent€identification,€your€dog€mayÐ ’!â Ðnever€be€reunited€with€you.€€Your€dog€is€uniquely€valuable.€€Without€your€dog€you€feel€bereftÐ ~"Î  Ðand€incomplete!€€Without€identification€separation€may€mean€permanent€loss!Ð j#º! Ѐ€€€€€Every€microchip€implanted€by€an€Assistance€dog€training€program€is€immediately€traced€backÐ V$¦" Ðto€the€group.€€AVID€Identification/*Systems,€Inc.€donates€microchips€at€no€cost€and€lifetimeÐ B%’ # Ðregistrations€in€Ô_ÔPETtracÔ_Ô€to€every€dog€certified€as€a€member€of€the€Assistance€Dog€family.€€DogsÐ .&~!$ Ðcan€be€traced€in€Ô_ÔPETtracÔ_Ô€7€days€a€week,€24€hours€a€day.Ð 'j"% Ѐ€€€€€€As€a€result€of€recent€events,€Avid€has€discovered€it€is€important€to€have€alternate€contactÐ (V#& Ðinformation€for€someone€from€another€city,€state€or€a€different€area€on€the€microchip.€€Don'tÐ ò(B$' Ðmake€the€only€contact€in€the€microchip€information€a€neighbor€who€may€be€involved€or€displacedÐ Þ).%( Ðin€a€common€disaster.€It€is€ok€to€have€multiple€numbers€and€especially€use€cell€phone€numbers€asÐ Ê*&) Ðback€up.Ð ¶+'* Ѐ€€€€€A€great€New€Year's€resolution€and€lifesaving€gift€for€your€special€friend€is€a€microchip€and€aÐ ¢,ò'+ Ðcommitment€to€keep€registration€data€current.€€DO€IT€NOW€!Ð Ž-Þ(, Ѐ€€€€€€If€you€or€your€veterinarian€have€questions,€please€call€our€corporate€office€@Ð ° Ð1-800-336-2843€x€3.€€AVID's€service€and€support€office€is€@€1-314-487-5842.€The€website€isÐ œì ÐÔ4‚µ °ÔÝ‚ ÍOÝÔÿÔòòÝ  ÝÔ5  Ôwww.AVIDID.comÔ6ŠAÔÝ‚ ÍOžA.€ThÝóóÔÿÔÝ  ÝÔ7wiØ ÌAÔÐ ˆØ ÐÌÌÌò òÔ‡ ¼_XXá\ÔIAADP€Conference€in€San€DiegoÔ#†Xá\X ¼_XB#ÔÐ 8 ˆ ÐÌó óby€Joan€Frolingò òÐ ^ ® ÐÌ€€€€€ó ó€€IAADPððs€Conference€attendees€enjoyed€a€cool€but€sunny€day€€on€Jan.€19òòthóó€€in€San€Diego,Ð 6†  ÐCalifornia.€€Over€two€hundred€guests€filled€the€elegant€ballroom€to€capacity.€€It€was€our€largestÐ &v  Ðturnout€to€date,€with€so€many€walk€ins,€we€had€to€send€for€extra€chairs!€€We€had€pre„registeredÐ b  Ðrepresentatives€from€41€ADI€member€programs.€€There€were€75€disabled€handlers€with€assistanceÐ þN  Ðdogs€of€every€description.€€Among€the€handsome€Labs,€Goldens€and€Shepherds,€I€spotted€anÐ ê:  ÐOtter€Hound,€a€Collie,€a€Great€Dane,€several€Standard€Poodles,€€a€Doberman,€a€Greyhound,€aÐ Ö& ÐSheltie,€a€Whippet,€an€Australian€Shepherd,€a€Yorkie€and€some€interesting€looking€mix€breedsÐ Â Ðlarge€and€small.Ð ®þ Ѐ€€€€€€Wendy€Morrell,€an€advocate€from€the€U.K.€with€a€wry€sense€of€humor€gave€the€keynoteÐ šê Ðaddress.€€She€received€a€standing€ovation€for€her€speech€about€how€the€partnership€with€herÐ †Ö ÐGolden€Retriever,€Caesar,€trained€by€Dogs€for€the€Disabled,€empowered€her€to€achieveÐ r Ðconsiderable€measure€of€independence.€€(€See€page€___€for€her€story)Ð ^® Ѐ€€€€€€Maria€Younker,€Director€of€Customer€Services€at€the€San€Diego€airport,€was€the€secondÐ Jš Ðspeaker€we€drafted€to€fill€in€for€Tom€Sullivan,€the€advertised€keynote€speaker.€The€guide€dogÐ 6† Ðuser€had€canceled€at€the€last€minute€due€to€the€opportunity€for€some€television€work..€€Maria€wasÐ "r Ðalso€a€delight.€€She€brought€a€video€tape€featuring€an€amusing€TV€news€personality€whoÐ ^ Ðintroduced€the€public€to€the€new€doggy€relief€area€at€San€Diegoððs€airport.€€She€spoke€about€otherÐ úJ Ðways€in€which€the€airport€tries€to€make€passengers€with€disabilities€feel€welcome.€€Ð æ6 Ѐ€€€€€€€From€Puppyhood€to€Placement€was€the€unofficial€ð ðthemeðð€behind€the€next€few€workshops.€Ð Ò" ÐSpeakers€shared€details€about€the€exciting€work€they€were€involved€in,€which€taken€altogether,Ð ¾ Ðprovided€partners€and€programs€in€our€audience€with€insights€into€the€different€stages€in€the€lifeÐ ª ú Ðcycle€of€an€assistance€dog€candidate.Ð –!æ ÐÌ€€€€€€€€€Puppyhood€was€covered€by€two€excellent€speakers€from€Paws€With€A€Cause.Ð n#¾! ÐThe€first€speaker,ò ò€Renee€Schulte,€ó ówho€is€in€charge€of€the€schoolððs€breeding€program€talked€to€theÐ Z$ª" Ðaudience€on€the€subject:€ð ðò òEvaluating€Puppies€for€an€Assistance€Dog€Career.ððó ó€€Her€videoÐ J%š # Ðbegan€by€showing€us€eight€week€old€Golden€and€Lab€puppies€interacting€with€the€evaluator€in€aÐ :&Š!$ Ðroom€with€few€distractions.€€It€was€amazing€the€differences€in€personality€this€revealed.€€ReneeÐ &'v"% Ðconfided€their€program€prefers€to€see€a€pup€who€is€socially€needy,€inclined€to€look€to€their€humanÐ (b#& Ðfor€reassurance€rather€than€a€very€bold€pup€who€acts€self€sufficient€and€goes€off€exploring€hisÐ þ(N$' Ðsurroundings€with€no€interest€in€what€the€human€is€doing.€Ð ê):%( Ѐ€€€€€€She€took€questions€from€the€audience€as€she€discussed€various€the€temperament€tests€sheÐ Ö*&&) Ðadministered€in€the€film.€She€advised€anyone€picking€out€a€pup€to€raise€for€this€career€to€look€forÐ Â+'* Ðone€who€is€socially€attracted€to€humans,€one€who€wants€to€follow€the€evaluator€and€be€petted€byÐ ®,þ'+ Ðher.€€Another€important€trait€to€look€for€is€the€willingness€to€forgive.€After€an€unpleasantÐ š-ê(, Ðexperience€like€the€toe€pinch€test€to€determine€body€sensitivity,€it€is€the€puppy€who€immediatelyÐ ° Ðforgives€the€tester€for€the€discomfort€and€hangs€out€with€her€or€comes€back€into€her€lap€to€seekÐ œì Ðpetting€that€should€be€chosen€over€the€puppies€who€leave€the€area.€€Ð ˆØ Ѐ€€€€€€€Renee€also€detailed€what€kind€of€structure€to€look€for,€especially€if€assessing€a€dog€forÐ tÄ Ðmobility€assistance€work€or€the€ability€to€work€for€many€years.€€The€video€she€made€used€bothÐ `° Ðpuppy€and€adult€models.€€Front€legs€should€be€fairly€straight,€for€example,€if€you€are€facing€theÐ L œ Ðdog€head€on.€€A€dog€whose€front€paws€are€definitely€turned€out€to€the€right€and€left€or€which€turnÐ 8 ˆ Ðinward€has€a€poor€conformation€for€a€job€like€wheelchair€pulling€assistance.€€If€looking€at€the€dogÐ $ t Ðfrom€the€rear,€you€want€to€see€the€lower€part€of€the€hind€legs€nice€and€straight,€instead€of€theÐ  ` Ðhocks€turning€inward,€almost€touching,€a€deformity€termed€ð ðcow€hocks.ðð€€Dogs€with€a€goodÐ ü L  Ðstructure€can€work€long€hours€with€no€problem.€€Dogs€who€have€poor€conformation€may€sufferÐ è 8  Ðundue€fatigue€or€pain€from€tasks€requiring€strength€or€stamina.€€One€adult€dog€in€the€film€wasÐ Ô$  Ðlabeled€ð ða€disasterðð€in€terms€of€structure.€€She€used€him€to€educate€the€audience€about€a€numberÐ À  Ðof€conformation€flaws,€observing€he€could€still€be€trained€as€a€service€dog€but€the€kind€of€tasksÐ ¬ü  Ðhe€could€perform€should€be€limited€to€ones€that€would€not€impose€any€strain€on€his€body.€€ò òÐ ˜è  Ѐ€€€€€€Aimee€Brumleve,ó ó€was€the€presenter€of€the€workshop€on€ideas€for€ð ðò òEnhancing€theÐ „Ô  ÐUpbringing€of€Puppy€Candidates.ðð€€€ó óLike€Renee,€Aimee€prepared€a€nice€handout€that€could€beÐ tÄ Ðshared€with€others€on€her€topic.€€She€introduced€herself€as€a€staff€trainer€involved€in€curriculumÐ d´ Ðplanning€for€the€volunteer€families€who€become€puppy€raisers€for€PWAC.€€€She€briefly€describedÐ P  Ðhow€PWAC€offers€obedience€classes€and€organizes€outings€to€malls,€fairs€and€other€interestingÐ <Œ Ðplaces€every€month€for€socialization€and€training€purposes.€Ð (x Ѐ€€€€€Space€limitations€here€only€permit€me€to€highlight€some€of€the€ideas€she€shared.€€Ð d Ѐ€€€€€She€reported€that€she€urges€anyone€raising€a€pup€to€tether€the€pup€to€their€ankle€on€a€six€toÐ P Ðtwenty€foot€leash€while€doing€housework€and€cooking.€€Reward€him€with€a€food€treat€every€timeÐ ì< Ðhe€makes€eye€contact,€to€encourage€him€to€make€frequent€eye€contact,€something€that€willÐ Ø( Ðenhance€the€bonding€process€during€the€first€few€weeks.€€Ð Ä Ѐ€€€€€€Aimee€advocates€exposing€a€pup€from€8€„16€weeks€old€to€everything€possible€includingÐ ° Ðelevators,€before€he€goes€through€ð ðfear€periods,ðð€rather€than€doing€it€gradually€over€the€next€year.€Ð œì ÐThey€really€inundate€the€8€week€old€pup.€Then€when€he€encounters€an€elevator€or€some€otherÐ ˆØ Ðthings€as€a€4€„€6€month€old€adolescent,€it€is€ð ðold€hatðð€to€him.€€He€wonððt€be€spooked€and€develop€aÐ tÄ Ðproblem€that€could€require€many€outings€to€overcome.€Ð ` ° Ѐ€€€€€€Since€most€states€do€not€give€access€to€puppy€raisers,€Aimee€told€us€that€puppy€raisers€areÐ L!œ Ðinstructed€to€ask€first,€before€taking€a€puppy€into€an€establishment€for€socialization.€Ð 8"ˆ  Ѐ€€ò ò€€€€€ó óShe€said€PWAC€considers€stairs€to€be€a€top€priority.€€They€want€to€ensure€the€pup€will€learnÐ $#t! Ðover€the€course€of€a€year€to€confidently€handle€all€kinds€of€staircases,€indoors,€outdoors,€enclosedÐ $d" Ðor€open€stairs.€€The€dog€should€be€exposed€to€stairs€with€different€surfaces€like€carpet,€linoleum,Ð %P # Ðmetal,€wood€and€concrete.€€They€scatter€food€and€toys€on€the€stairs€so€the€pup€will€stop€toÐ ì%#ÔÐ œì ЀChina€Ô_ÔDailyednesdayÔ_Ô,€May€17,€2006Ð Ö& ÐÌ€€€€€€€€CAPTION:€After€seeing€the€Japanese€movie€"Quill",€you€may€have€been€touched€by€theÐ ®þ Ðcute€seeing-eye-dog.€The€good€news€is€that€the€seeing€impaired€in€China€may€have€their€ownÐ š ê Ð"Quill"€in€the€near€future.€€Photo:€Ô_Ôsina.comÔ_ÔÐ † Ö ÐÌ€€€€€€€€A€seeing-eye-dog€training€center€was€recently€established€in€the€coastal€city€of€Dalian.Ð ^ ® Ѐ€€€€€€€A€Labrador€dog€named€"Ô_ÔShitouÔ_Ô",€which€mean€stone,€will€graduate€from€the€€center€nextÐ J š  Ðmonth€to€become€China's€first€seeing-eye-dog.Ð 6†  Ѐ€€€€€€€€Ô_ÔShitouÔ_Ô€and€another€five€dogs,€who€have€been€in€training€for€over€six€months,€are€theÐ "r  Ðcenter's€first€batch€of€graduates.€12€puppies€have€now€also€been€selected€and€will€enter€theÐ ^  Ðtraining€program€shortly.Ð úJ  Ѐ€€€€€€€The€recent€graduates€will€now€be€put€up€for€adoption.€People€with€impaired€eyesight€can€fillÐ æ6  Ðout€an€application€and€wait€for€approval€from€the€China€Disabled€Persons'€Federation.€The€onlyÐ Ò" Ðrequirement€is€that€candidates€are€€productive€and€truly€in€need€of€a€seeing-eye-dog.€They€mustÐ ¾ Ðalso€be€able€to€afford€to€raise€their€new€pet,€which€costs€about€300€yuan€per€month.Ð ªú Ѐ€€€€€€Besides€working€for€ordinary€disabled€people,€the€dogs€will€also€serve€at€€the€2008Ð –æ ÐÔ_ÔParalympicÔ_Ô€Games.Ð ‚Ò ÐÌ€http://Ô_Ôwww.chinadaily.com.cnÔ_Ô/Ô_ÔcitylifeÔ_Ô/2006-05/18/content_593876.htmÐ Zª ÐÌ€ÌÌÌò òÔ‡ ¼_XXá\ÔTrial€Stalls€Erie€Womanððs€Effort€to€Get€Guide€DogÔ#†Xá\X ¼_ï##ÔÐ öF Ðó óÌPublished€Jan.€10,€2006Ð l ÐVictoria€A.F.€Ô_ÔCamronÔ_ÔÐ  X ÐThe€Daily€Times-Call€Ð ô D ÐÌ€€€€€€€ERIE€ð"ð€Jamie€€Ô_ÔCarleyÔ_Ô€€was€hoping€a€judge€would€decide€Monday€to€remove€a€neighbor'sÐ Ì"  Ðchow€Ô_ÔchowÔ_Ô€accused€of€attacking€her€guide€dog,€Racer.Ð ¸#! Ѐ€€€€€€€She€started€crying€when€the€judge€set€an€April€10€trial€date€instead.Ð ¤$ô" Ѐ€€€€€€€"I€was€angry.€I€was€very€hurt,€knowing€this€is€going€to€drag€out€another€three€months,"€said€Ð %à # ÐÔ_ÔCarleyÔ_Ô€,€who€has€been€blind€since€1991.€"I€don't€want€to€bring€another€(guide)€dog€in€here€untilÐ |&Ì!$ Ðthat€dog€is€gone."Ð h'¸"% Ѐ€€€€€€€In€December,€€Ô_ÔCarleyÔ_Ô€€returned€Racer€to€the€nonprofit€Guide€Dogs€for€the€Blind€inÐ T(¤#& ÐCalifornia.€Because€of€its€injuries€and€its€fear€of€other€dogs,€the€2-year-old€yellow€Labrador€hasÐ @)$' Ðbeen€retired,€she€said.Ð ,*|%( Ѐ€€€€€€€€Racer€had€been€recovering€from€knee€surgery€at€the€California€school€when€the€chow€chow,Ð +h&) Ðnamed€Bear,€escaped€from€his€owners'€garage€Oct.€12€and€bit€Racer's€leg,€according€to€ErieÐ ,T'* Ðpolice.€Police€cited€Bear's€owners€on€suspicion€of€having€a€vicious€dog€and€allowing€the€dog€toÐ ð,@(+ Ðrun€loose.Ð Ü-,), Ѐ€€€€€€€€After€Racer€visited€the€veterinarian€Nov.€14€to€have€stitches€removed,€Bear€again€was€looseÐ ° Ðand€tried€to€attack€Racer,€police€said.€€Ô_ÔCarleyÔ_Ô€'s€son,€who€was€between€the€two€dogs,€carriedÐ œì ÐRacer€into€the€house.€Bear€did€not€actually€contact€Racer€in€that€incident,€police€said.Ð ˆØ Ѐ€€€€€€€In€municipal€court€Monday,€Robert€Arnold,€who€owns€Bear€with€his€wife,€pleaded€notÐ tÄ Ðguilty€to€having€a€vicious€dog€and€no€contest€to€allowing€the€dog€to€run€loose.Ð `° Ѐ€€€€€€Emily€Arnold€later€said€the€couple€will€not€comment€on€the€incidents€until€the€court€case€isÐ L œ Ðover.Ð 8 ˆ Ѐ€€€€€€€The€maximum€penalty€for€having€a€vicious€animal€is€a€$1,000€fine,€one€year€in€jail€or€both,Ð $ t Ðaccording€to€Fred€Diehl,€assistant€to€the€Erie€town€administrator.€The€judge€also€could€order€theÐ  ` Ðdog€destroyed.Ð ü L  Ѐ€€€€€€€€Ô_ÔCarleyÔ_Ô€€knows€what€she€wants,€though.Ð è 8  Ѐ€€€€€€€€"I€want€the€dog€removed€so€I€can€move€on,"€she€said.Ð Ô$  Ѐ€€€€€€€€Diagnosed€with€Ô_ÔretinitusÔ_Ô€Ô_ÔpigmentosaÔ_Ô€when€she€was€4€or€5€years€old,€€Ô_ÔCarleyÔ_Ô€€watched€herÐ À  Ðeyesight€deteriorate€until€she€was€26€years€old,€she€said.€Then€she€was€diagnosed€with€breastÐ ¬ü  Ðcancer.€The€chemotherapy€left€her€totally€blind,€she€said.Ð ˜è  Ѐ€€€€€€€€Without€a€guide€dog,€€Ô_ÔCarleyÔ_Ô€€is€not€comfortable€leaving€her€house€alone.Ð „Ô  Ѐ€€€€€€€"I€feel€safer€with€a€guide,"€she€said.Ð pÀ Ѐ€€€€€€€Not€having€a€dog€affects€€Ô_ÔCarleyÔ_Ô€'s€independence€in€ways€most€sighted€people€cannotÐ \¬ Ðimagine.Ð H˜ Ѐ€€€€€€€"(A€guide€dog)€gives€her€independence,€total€independence,"€said€Kim€Ô_ÔDavalosÔ_Ô,€€Ô_ÔCarleyÔ_Ô€'sÐ 4„ Ðsister.€"She€doesn't€have€to€rely€on€a€sighted€person."Ð  p Ѐ€€€€€€€€€Guide€Dogs€for€the€Blind€breeds€and€trains€service€dogs€at€no€cost€to€the€blind€people€whoÐ  \ Ðneed€them,€according€to€its€Web€site.€After€dogs€are€matched€with€handlers,€the€two€undergoÐ øH Ðthree€to€four€weeks€of€training€at€the€organization's€campus.€Training€a€guide€dog€costs€aboutÐ ä4 Ð$72,000,€according€to€the€organization.Ð Ð  Ѐ€€€€€€€€"Jamie's€been€very€fortunate;€she's€had€great€dogs,"€Ô_ÔDavalosÔ_Ô€said,€but€Racer€was€special.Ð ¼  Ѐ€€€€€€€€"He€picked€up€on€things€so€quickly,"€€Ô_ÔCarleyÔ_Ô€€said.€For€example,€Racer€needed€only€one€tripÐ ¨ø Ðto€€Ô_ÔCarleyÔ_Ô€'s€mailbox€ð"ð€located€a€block€away,€between€two€other€mailboxes€ð"ð€to€take€herÐ ”ä Ðdirectly€there.Ð €Ð Ѐ€€€€€€€€"He'd€stop€and€sit€in€front€of€that€center€box,"€€Ô_ÔCarleyÔ_Ô€€said,€while€other€dogs€needed€toÐ l¼ Ðrepeat€the€trip€several€times€to€learn€it.€"He€was€just€something€different."Ð X ¨ ÐÌÌò òòòFollow€Up€ArticleÐ #l! Ðóóó óÌò òÔ‡ ¼_XXá\ÔJudge€Orders€Dog€Outó óÔ#†Xá\X ¼_»7#ÔÐ ð$@ # ÐÌBlind€women€to€get€new€canine€guide€after€neighbor€removes€LabÐ 'f"% ÐPublished€May€6,€2006Ð (R#& ÐVictoria€A.F.€Ô_ÔCamronÔ_ÔÐ î(>$' ÐThe€Daily€Times-Call€Ð Ú)*%( ÐÌ€€€€€€€€ERIE€ð"ð€Jamie€€Ô_ÔCarleyÔ_Ô€€gave€up€her€guide€dog,€Racer,€in€December€after€a€neighbor's€dogÐ ²+'* Ðattacked€and€injured€it.€Ð ž,î'+ Ѐ€€€€€€€Now€that€neighbor€has€to€find€another€home€for€his€Labrador/chow€mix,€so€€Carley€€canÐ Š-Ú(, Ðreceive€another€guide€dog,€a€judge€ruled€this€week.€If€that's€not€possible€within€30€days,€BearÐ ° Ðmust€be€destroyed.€Ð œì Ѐ€€€€€€Erie€Municipal€Court€Judge€Fred€Steele's€order€contradicts€what€he€said€in€court€April€11,Ð ˆØ Ðwhen€he€decided€Bear€was€a€vicious€dog€because€of€the€Oct.€12€attack€on€Racer.€Then,€SteeleÐ tÄ Ðsaid€he€would€not€order€Bear€be€Ô_ÔeuthanizedÔ_Ô.€Ð `° Ѐ€€€€€€However,€as€long€as€Bear€lives€with€Robert€and€Emily€Arnold,€their€next-door€neighborÐ L œ Ðcannot€get€another€guide€dog.€Ð 8 ˆ Ѐ€€€€€€Steele€also€fined€the€Arnolds€$250,€plus€$50€in€fees€and€court€costs.€If€Bear€commits€anotherÐ $ t Ðviolation€within€one€year,€though,€the€judge€will€add€$500€to€the€fine.€Ð  ` Ѐ€€€€€€€€Steele's€order€noted€that€placing€Bear€elsewhere€would€only€be€temporary€because€€Ô_ÔCarleyÔ_ԀРü L  Ðis€trying€to€sell€her€house.€He€"hopes€Ms.€€Ô_ÔCarleyÔ_Ô€€will€use€her€best€efforts€to€relocate€in€order€toÐ è 8  Ðminimize€the€time€that€Bear€is€placed€outside€the€defendant's€home,"€Steele€wrote.€Ð Ô$  Ѐ€€€€€€€Ô_ÔCarleyÔ_Ô€€has€lowered€the€price€on€her€home€to€increase€its€chances€of€selling€quickly,€sheÐ À  Ðsaid.€She€wants€to€move€from€Erie€so€she€can€be€closer€to€public€transportation.€Ð ¬ü  Ѐ€€€€€€€€Meanwhile,€€Ô_ÔCarleyÔ_Ô€,€who€has€been€blind€since€1991,€is€getting€ready€for€a€new€guide€dog.€Ð ˜è  Ѐ€€€€€€€After€receiving€the€judge's€order,€€Ô_ÔCarleyÔ_Ô€€faxed€it€to€Guide€Dogs€for€the€Blind,€a€CaliforniaÐ „Ô  Ðnonprofit€agency.€Ð pÀ Ѐ€€€€€€€€"Not€even€15€to€20€minutes€later,€admissions€called€me,"€€Ô_ÔCarleyÔ_Ô€€said.€"They€thought€itÐ \¬ Ðwas€awesome."€Ð H˜ Ѐ€€€€€€€Guide€Dogs€for€the€Blind€breeds€and€trains€service€dogs€for€blind€people€at€no€cost,Ð 4„ Ðaccording€to€its€Web€site.€After€dogs€are€matched€with€handlers,€the€two€undergo€three€to€fourÐ  p Ðweeks€of€training€at€the€organization's€campus.€Training€a€guide€dog€costs€about€$72,000,Ð  \ Ðaccording€to€the€organization.Ð øH Ѐ€€€€€€€€Even€though€€Ô_ÔCarleyÔ_Ô€€has€had€other€guide€dogs,€she€must€undertake€three€weeks€of€trainingÐ ä4 Ðwith€a€new€dog,€she€said.€Ð Ð  Ѐ€€€€€€"The€most€important€thing€is€the€bonding€period,"€€Ô_ÔCarleyÔ_Ô€€said.€"It€gives€you€time€to€makeÐ ¼  Ðsure€this€dog's€going€to€work,€to€make€sure€there's€no€problems."€Ð ¨ø Ѐ€€€€€€€While€in€California,€€Ô_ÔCarleyÔ_Ô€€will€say€goodbye€to€Racer,€who€is€retired€and€lives€with€theÐ ”ä Ðfamily€who€raised€him.Ð €Ð Ѐ€€€€€€€Victoria€Ô_ÔCamronÔ_Ô€can€be€reached€at€303-684-5226,€or€by€e-mail€at€vcamron@times-call.com.Ð l¼ ЀÌReprinted€with€permission€of€Longmont€Daily€Call€TimesÐ D!” ÐÌÌÌÌò òAdvocacyó óÐ à%0!$ Ðò òÔ‡ ¼_XXá\ÔMandatory€Certification€Proposedó óÔ#†Xá\X ¼_\G#ÔÐ Ì&"% ÐÌby€Joan€Ô_ÔFrolingÔ_ÔÐ ò(B$' ÐÌ€€€€€€In€February€2006,€guide€dog€users€appealed€to€IAADP€for€help€in€defeating€a€bill€in€MarylandÐ Ê*&) Ðwhich€would€require€mandatory€Re„certification€each€year.€€It€also€would€limit€access€only€toÐ ¶+'* Ðteams€with€ID€from€service€animal€training€programs€certified€by€Assistance€Dogs€International,Ð ¢,ò'+ Ðdepriving€owner€trainers€and€those€with€privately€trained€assistance€dogs€and€guide€dog€teamsÐ Ž-Þ(, Ðfrom€schools€that€donððt€belong€to€Ô_ÔADIÔ_Ô€of€their€access€rights.€€No€disabled€persons€could€haveÐ ° Ðtrainer€access€rights€unless€they€were€able€to€prove€they€were€a€trainer€certified€by€Ô_ÔADIÔ_Ô.€Ð œì ÐFurthermore,€all€Ô_ÔADIÔ_Ô€member€€programs€would€be€liable€for€personal€injuries€as€well€as€anyÐ ˆØ Ðdamages€caused€by€a€certified€assistance€dog.€€Each€program€would€have€the€expense€ofÐ tÄ Ðadministering€an€annual€Ô_ÔRecertificationÔ_Ô€test€to€graduates€residing€in€that€state.Ð `° Ѐ€€€€€IAADPððs€board€deplores€the€abuse€of€access€rights€by€disabled€persons€with€non€task€trainedÐ L œ Ðpets.€€We€understand€the€trainer€access€rights€provision€of€a€state€law€can€be€exploited€byÐ 8 ˆ Ðunscrupulous€individuals.€€At€the€same€time,€after€careful€examination€of€all€the€issues,€weÐ $ t Ðconcluded€far€more€harm€than€good€would€come€from€the€passage€of€HB€1457.€€Ô_ÔIAADPÔ_Ôððs€boardÐ  ` Ðsent€the€following€letter€to€the€billððs€sponsors,€all€members€of€the€House€Health€and€GovernmentÐ ü L  ÐOperations€Committee,€the€President€of€the€State€Senate€and€to€the€Secretary€of€DisabilitiesÐ è 8  Ðbefore€the€March€15€Hearing,€urging€them€to€reconsider.Ð Ô$  ÐÌFebruary€18,€2006€Ð ¬ü  ÐÌRep.€Christopher€B.€Shanks,€Ð „Ô  ÐRep.€William€J.€Frank€and€other€Sponsors€of€HB€1457€Ð pÀ ÐState€House€H€101€Ð \¬ ÐAnnapolis,€MD€21401€1991€Ð H˜ ÐÌDear€Sponsors:€Ð  p ÐÌ€€€€€€I'm€writing€you€on€behalf€of€the€International€Association€of€Assistance€Dog€Partners.Ð øH ÐFounded€in€1993,€this€non€profit€organization€represents€and€speaks€for€over€2000€members€whoÐ ä4 Ðwork€with€guide€,hearing€and€service€dogs.€Ô_ÔIAADPÔ_Ô€carries€out€its€mission€to€foster€the€assistanceÐ Ð  Ðdog€movement€through€its€Information€and€Advocacy€Center,€award€winning€quarterlyÐ ¼  Ðpublication€"Partners'€Forum,"€educational€website,€member€benefits€and€the€annual€conferenceÐ ¨ø Ðwe€hold€in€conjunction€with€Assistance€Dogs€International,€a€coalition€of€guide,€hearing€andÐ ”ä Ðservice€dog€training€programs.€Ð €Ð Ѐ€€€€€Ô_ÔIAADPÔ_Ô€would€like€to€comment€on€bill,€HR€1457,€in€particular€the€provisions€that€violate€theÐ l¼ Ðcivil€rights€granted€to€Maryland€residents€by€the€Americans€With€Disabilities€Act€(ADA).€Ð X ¨ Ѐ€€€€€€While€this€proposed€bill€was€undoubtedly€well€intentioned,€it€is€apparent€its€sponsors€did€notÐ D!” Ðtake€into€account€the€current€status€of€the€assistance€dog€field,€federal€court€decisions€and€theÐ 0"€  Ðdocument€issued€by€the€National€Association€of€[state]€Attorneys€General€and€the€U.S.Ð #l! ÐDepartment€of€Justice€in€July€1996.€That€document,€titled€"Commonly€Asked€Questions€AboutÐ $X" ÐService€Animals€in€Places€of€Business"€was€designed€to€answer€questions€posed€by€businessÐ ô$D # Ðoperators.€Ð à%0!$ Ѐ€€€€€€Under€federal€law€it€does€not€matter€who€trained€the€dog.€As€long€as€a€guide€dog,€signal€dogÐ Ì&"% Ðor€any€other€animal€has€been€individually€trained€to€perform€tasks€of€benefit€to€a€disabledÐ ¸'#& Ðindividual,€it€is€legally€a€service€animal.€Certification€cannot€be€required,€even€if€a€state€has€aÐ ¤(ô#' Ðprogram€to€certify€dogs.€Businesses€are€supposed€to€treat€a€service€animal€like€a€wheelchair€orÐ )à$( Ðoxygen€tank,€as€a€necessary€medical€aid,€not€as€a€pet.€Under€ADA€it€is€illegal€for€places€of€publicÐ |*Ì%) Ðaccommodation€to€require€"identification€papers"€to€show€the€service€animal€is€certified€orÐ h+¸&* Ðlicensed€as€a€condition€of€granting€access.€The€ADA€provides€greater€protection€for€individualsÐ T,¤'+ Ðwith€disabilities€so€it€takes€priority€over€local€or€state€laws€or€regulations,€according€to€thisÐ @-(, Ðdocument.€For€your€information,€I€have€attached€a€copy€of€this€Q€&€A€document€which€yourÐ ° ÐMaryland€State€Attorney€General€so€graciously€disseminated€to€hotels,€restaurants€and€otherÐ œì Ðbusinesses€in€July€1996€on€the€5th€Anniversary€of€the€signing€of€the€ADA€into€law.€Ð ˆØ Ѐ€€€€€If€in€doubt€whether€the€animal€is€a€pet€or€a€service€animal,€businesses€now€have€the€right€toÐ tÄ Ðask,€"What€Tasks€does€your€service€animal€perform?"€See€the€ADA€Business€Brief€on€ServiceÐ `° ÐAnimals€issued€in€2002€at€www.ada.gov€Ð L œ Ѐ€€€€€€According€to€the€latest€Assistance€Dogs€International€(Ô_ÔADIÔ_Ô)€census,€the€non€profit€programsÐ 8 ˆ Ðbelonging€to€Ô_ÔADIÔ_Ô€collectively€train€less€than€700€service€dogs€per€year€worldwide.€Service€dogsÐ $ t Ðwork€for€individuals€with€disabilities€other€than€blindness€or€deafness.€Thousands€of€peopleÐ  ` Ðeagerly€apply€for€these€dogs€after€watching€heartwarming€success€stories€broadcast€by€the€media.Ð ü L  ÐThey€are€excited€about€the€tremendous€improvement€in€quality€of€life€that€can€be€achievedÐ è 8  Ðthrough€partnership€with€a€canine€assistant.€Unfortunately,€they€soon€learn€the€demand€farÐ Ô$  Ðexceeds€the€supply.€Eligibility€for€acceptance€into€a€service€dog€training€program€can€depend€onÐ À  Ðincome,€geographical€distance,€type€of€disability,€fundraising€concerns€and€other€factors€that€areÐ ¬ü  Ðno€reflection€on€a€disabled€person's€good€character€or€ability€to€benefit€from€such€partnerships.Ð ˜è  ÐMany€programs€have€long€waiting€lists€of€approved€applicants€and€a€qualified€individual€mayÐ „Ô  Ðhave€to€wait€several€years€before€receiving€a€service€dog.€Hearing€dogs€are€also€in€short€supply,Ð pÀ Ðdue€to€funding€and€staff€shortages.€Ð \¬ Ѐ€€€€€Unwilling€to€give€up€their€dream€of€having€a€service€or€hearing€dog,€a€number€of€disabledÐ H˜ Ðpersons€turn€to€other€options€such€as€hiring€a€professional€dog€trainer€or€studying€how€to€trainÐ 4„ Ðone€themselves€with€the€help€of€"how€to"€books€and€videos,€like€those€developed€by€the€Ô_ÔADIÔ_ÔÐ  p Ðaccredited€service€animal€training€organization,€Top€Dog,€in€Arizona,€to€teach€disabled€personsÐ  \ Ðhow€to€train€their€own€service€dog.€They€may€also€take€community€obedience€classes€and/or€joinÐ øH ÐInternet€support€groups€where€professional€dog€trainers€answer€questions€and€provide€advice€toÐ ä4 Ðempower€List€members€to€achieve€a€successful€outcome.€Additional€resources€include,€but€areÐ Ð  Ðnot€limited€to,€Ô_ÔwebsitesÔ_Ô€like€Ô_ÔIAADPÔ_Ô's€and€Ô_ÔADIÔ_Ô's€which€teach€visitors€about€training€standards,Ð ¼  Ðselection€criteria,€access€rights€and€many€other€aspects€of€assistance€dog€partnership.€Ð ¨ø Ѐ€€€€€Ô_ÔIAADPÔ_Ô€urges€the€legislature€not€to€restrict€the€right€of€Marylanders€to€improve€their€safety,Ð ”ä Ðmobility€and€quality€of€life€through€working€with€a€canine€assistant.€Restricting€who€can€train€anÐ €Ð Ðassistance€dog€in€Maryland€only€to€Ô_ÔADIÔ_Ô€certified€service€animal€trainers€with€identification€fromÐ l¼ ÐADI€certified€service€animal€training€organizations€is€a€step€backward€in€meeting€the€needs€ofÐ X ¨ ÐMaryland€residents€with€disabilities.€Ð D!” Ѐ€€€€€There€is€only€one€Ô_ÔADIÔ_Ô€program€in€your€state.€It€graduates€fewer€than€15€service€and€hearingÐ 0"€  Ðdog€teams€a€year.€Technically€none€of€their€volunteer€trainers€can€qualify€under€HB€1457€as€anÐ #l! ÐÔ_ÔADIÔ_Ô€certified€service€animal€trainer.€This€small€program€can't€possibly€begin€to€meet€the€needs€ofÐ $X" Ðmany€thousands€of€citizens€in€Maryland€who€are€entitled€to€work€with€a€service€animal€under€theÐ ô$D # ÐAmericans€With€Disabilities€Act.€Ð à%0!$ Ѐ€€€€€€Ô_ÔIAADPÔ_Ô€is€not€insensitive€to€the€concerns€of€those€who€believe€legislative€action€is€needed.Ð Ì&"% ÐWe€suggest€you€follow€the€lead€of€other€state€legislatures€if€worried€about€fraud€and€make€it€aÐ ¸'#& Ðcriminal€misdemeanor€for€a€non€disabled€citizen€to€bring€a€pet€into€a€store€by€pretending€to€be€aÐ ¤(ô#' Ðdisabled€person€with€a€service€animal.€A€huge€fine€could€be€imposed€as€a€deterrent€for€suchÐ )à$( Ðfraudulent€behavior.€Ð |*Ì%) Ѐ€€€€€Re€certification€testing€is€unnecessary,€if€the€goal€is€to€exclude€poorly€behaved€assistanceÐ h+¸&* Ðdogs€and€other€service€animals€from€public€accommodations.€The€ADA€already€empoweredÐ T,¤'+ Ðbusinesses€to€exclude€any€team€from€its€premises€if€the€service€animal€acts€unruly,€behaves€in€aÐ @-(, Ðthreatening€way€or€exhibits€disruptive€conduct,€such€as€a€dog€barking€in€a€movie€theater.€Ð ° Ѐ€€€€€Ô_ÔIAADPÔ_Ô€supports€Guide€Dogs€Users,€Inc.€(Ô_ÔGDUIÔ_Ô)€and€Guide€Dog€Users€of€Maryland€inÐ œì Ðprotesting€mandatory€re€certification€testing.€If€this€provision€is€enacted,€a€tremendous€burdenÐ ˆØ Ðwould€be€placed€on€all€assistance€dog€partners€in€the€state.€Ð tÄ Ѐ€€€€€We€salute€the€provision€in€bill€HR€1457€that€requires€public€safety€officers€to€receive€anÐ `° Ðeducation€about€service€animals€and€access€rights€under€ADA.€Ô_ÔIAADPÔ_Ô€participated€in€theÐ L œ Ðproject,"We€Welcome€Service€Animals,"€with€Ô_ÔADIÔ_Ô€and€Ô_ÔGDUIÔ_Ô€to€make€a€professional€video€forÐ 8 ˆ Ðlaw€enforcement€on€this€very€subject.€Senator€Bob€Dole€introduces€the€ADA€and€its€requirementsÐ $ t Ðto€police€officers€in€that€film.€This€great€educational€tool€can€be€found€on€Ô_ÔADIÔ_Ô's€website.€Ð  ` Ѐ€€€€€In€closing,€Ô_ÔIAADPÔ_Ô€thanks€you€for€the€opportunity€to€provide€this€input.€If€you€have€anyÐ ü L  Ðquestions€or€wish€to€have€additional€input€on€this€matter,€please€feel€welcome€to€get€in€touch.€Ð è 8  ÐÌSincerely,€Ð À  ÐÌJoan€Ô_ÔFrolingÔ_ԀР˜è  ÐÔ_ÔIAADPÔ_Ô€Chairperson€Ð „Ô  Ð(586)€826-3938€Ð pÀ ÐÌcc:€House€Health€and€Government€Operations€Committee€Ð H˜ ÐSpeaker€of€the€House,€Maryland€Ð 4„ ÐÔ_ÔIAADPÔ_Ô€Board€of€Directors€Ð  p ÐCoalition€of€Assistance€Dog€Organizations€Ð  \ ÐÌÌò òAuthor€continues:ó ó€At€the€request€of€the€Coalition€of€Assistance€Dog€Organizations,€I€composedÐ Ð  Ðanother€letter€tackling€some€of€the€issues.€€Iððd€like€to€give€a€special€thanks€to€Wells€Jones,€CEOÐ À Ðof€the€Guide€Dog€Foundation€and€the€delegate€from€Council€of€U.S.€Dog€Guide€Schools€forÐ ¬ü Ðtaking€on€the€job€of€faxing€Ô_ÔCADOÔ_Ôððs€letter€to€the€billððs€sponsors,€the€Committee€members€and€theÐ ˜è ÐSecretary€of€Disabilities,€Karen€Cox.€€I€also€emailed€an€individually€addressed€email€letter€to€allÐ „Ô Ðof€these€politicians€we€hoped€to€influence.€€I€subsequently€learned€we€made€an€impact,€for€whenÐ pÀ Ðthe€billððs€sponsor€tried€to€propose€some€last€minute€revisions,€the€Committeeððs€Chair€told€him€itÐ \ ¬ Ðwas€hopeless,€as€the€Committee€wanted€nothing€more€to€do€with€the€bill.Ð H!˜ Ðòòò òóóó ó€€€€€A€few€days€later,€Karen€Coxððs€deputy€chief€assistant€who€had€earlier€thanked€us€for€our€inputÐ 4"„  Ðinformed€us€via€email€that€the€March€15€hearing€had€been€canceled€as€the€bill€had€beenÐ  #p! Ðwithdrawn.€€We€subsequently€learned€the€Secretaryððs€office€will€be€putting€together€a€differentÐ  $\" Ðbill.€Gary€Norman,€head€of€the€Maryland€State€Chapter€of€Guide€Dog€Users,€Inc.€and€JoeÐ ø$H # ÐÔ_ÔSwetnamÔ_Ô,€a€service€dog€partner€who€is€the€Executive€Director€of€Ô_ÔFidosÔ_Ô€for€Freedom,€whom€I€putÐ ä%4!$ Ðin€touch€with€each€other€to€discuss€strategy€for€defeating€the€bill€at€the€upcoming€hearing,€willÐ Ð& "% Ðnow€be€working€with€Secretary€Coxððs€office€to€help€ensure€the€next€bill€is€actually€helpful€to€theÐ ¼' #& Ðdisabled€community.Ð ¨(ø#' Ѐ€€€€€On€April€5òòthóó,€the€billððs€sponsor,€Christopher€Shanks,€contacted€Ô_ÔIAADPÔ_Ô€to€thank€us€for€ourÐ ”)ä$( Ðinput€and€to€let€us€know€our€participation€would€be€welcome€in€designing€a€new€bill€for€the€nextÐ €*Ð%) Ðsession€to€allow€for€wider€access€for€service€animal€users€and€allow€for€comprehensive€educationÐ l+¼&* Ðfor€law€enforcement€and€security€agencies€on€the€complexities€of€handling€service€animal€issues.Ð X,¨'+ ÐÐ D-”(, ЇÌò òÔ‡ ¼_XXá\ÔThe€Alice€In€Wonderland€Solutionó óÔ#†Xá\X ¼_ €#ÔÐ œì ÐÌBy€Devon€Wilkins.Ð Â ÐÌ€€€€€€€€Are€you€worried€about€what€the€U.S.€Department€of€Transportation's€ruling€will€be€on€theÐ š ê Ðquestion€of€large€assistance€dogs€in€airplane€cabins?€€Do€you€sometimes€wish€you€could€shrinkÐ † Ö Ðyour€guide,€hearing,€or€service€dog€down€to€the€size€of€a€Chihuahua?Ð r  Ѐ€€€€€€€€Announcing€the€Alice€In€Wonderland€Solution!€€€Ð ^ ® Ѐ€€€€€€€€€It's€simple€for€you,€and€painless€for€your€dog.€€Just€before€you€attempt€to€tuck€your€bestÐ J š  Ðfriend€under€the€seat€of€a€jet,€or€worse€yet,€a€Greyhound€bus,€squirt€a€little€of€the€amazing€AliceÐ 6†  ÐIn€Wonderland€Solution€into€his€mouth,€and€presto!€€Your€faithful€pooch€will€shrink€to€a€size€thatÐ "r  Ðwould€make€breeders€of€toy€dogs€beam€with€delight.€€Just€one€squirt€of€this€revolutionaryÐ ^  Ðinnovation€for€each€hour€of€flying€time€will€take€the€stress€out€of€travelling€for€you,€your€dog,€andÐ úJ  Ðyour€fellow-passengers,€and€give€DOT€officials€good€reason€to€breathe€a€humongous€sigh€ofÐ æ6  Ðrelief.Ð Ò" Ѐ€€€€€€For€fast,€fast€relief€of€cramped€quarters,€it's€the€amazing€new€Alice€In€Wonderland€Solution!€Ð ¾ ÐAnd€that's€not€all.€€If€you€purchase€a€bottle€within€the€next€30€minutes,€you'll€receive€a€miniatureÐ ªú Ðharness,€vest,€or€cape€so€that€members€of€the€general€public€will€still€know€what€your€dog€doesÐ –æ Ðfor€you,€and€it's€absolutely€free!€€So€don't€delay.€€Get€the€Alice€In€Wonderland€Solution€today,Ð ‚Ò Ðand€make€cramped€quarters€for€you€and€your€assistance€dog€a€distant€memory€forever.Ð n¾ Ѐ€€€€€€€But€this€innovative€product€isn't€available€in€stores.€€To€take€advantage€of€this€fabulousÐ Zª Ðoffer,€complete€with€your€choice€of€a€miniature€harness,€vest,€or€cape€absolutely€free€of€charge,Ð F– Ðclick€or€call€author€Lewis€Ô_ÔCarrolÔ_Ô.Ð 2‚ ÐÌ€ÌÌò òÔ‡ ¼_XXá\ÔNew€Workplace€Access€Victory!ó óÔ#†Xá\X ¼_¢ˆ#ÔÐ â2 ÐÌEMPLOYMENT€LAW€ð#ð€1/11/06Ð  X ÐÔ_ÔAmericallÔ_Ô€to€pay€$200,000€for€refusing€to€hire€blind€job€applicantÐ ô D ÐÌ€€€€€€€A€Naperville,€Illinois,€telemarketing€company€will€pay€$200,000€to€settle€a€disabilityÐ Ì"  Ðdiscrimination€lawsuit€filed€by€the€US€Equal€Employment€Opportunity€Commission€(Ô_ÔEEOCÔ_Ô),€theÐ ¸#! Ðagency€announced.€The€Ô_ÔEEOCÔ_Ô€alleged€in€its€lawsuit€that€the€Ô_ÔAmericallÔ_Ô€Group€violated€theÐ ¤$ô" ÐAmericans€With€Disabilities€Act€(ADA)€when€it€refused€to€hire€a€qualified€applicant€because€sheÐ %à # Ðwas€blind€and€used€a€guide€dog.€Ô_ÔAmericallÔ_Ô€employs€over€3,000€employees€and€has€locations€inÐ |&Ì!$ Ðfour€states€and€two€foreign€countries.Ð h'¸"% ÐÌ€€€€€€€€€The€Ô_ÔEEOCÔ_Ô€filed€the€lawsuit€on€August€24,€2004,€on€behalf€of€an€applicant€who€had€appliedÐ @)$' Ðfor€a€position€at€Ô_ÔAmericallÔ_Ô€as€a€telemarketing€service€representative.€She€had€come€to€theÐ ,*|%( Ðinterview€at€Ô_ÔAmericallÔ_Ô's€Lansing,€Illinois,€facility€with€her€guide€dog.€After€the€interview,€theÐ +h&) Ðcompany€sent€her€a€letter€telling€her€that€they€could€not€accommodate€her€guide€dog.Ð ,T'* Ѐ€€€€€€€The€ADA€requires€employers€to€make€reasonable€accommodations€for€people€withÐ ð,@(+ Ðdisabilities.€Richard€Ô_ÔMrizekÔ_Ô,€the€Ô_ÔEEOCÔ_Ô€trial€attorney€leading€the€government€litigation€effort,Ð Ü-,), Ðsaid€that€the€Ô_ÔEEOCÔ_Ô€was€prepared€to€present€an€expert€on€guide€dogs€who€had€inspected€the€callÐ ° Ðcenter€and€found€it€suitable€for€use€by€a€guide€dog€and€user.€The€case€was€set€to€go€to€trial€inÐ œì ÐJanuary€2006.Ð ˆØ Ѐ€€€€€€€€The€consent€decree€entered€by€US€District€Judge€Joan€Humphrey€Ô_ÔLefkowÔ_Ô€of€the€NorthernÐ tÄ ÐDistrict€of€Illinois€in€Chicago€on€December€1,€2005,€provides€$200,000€in€monetary€relief€for€theÐ `° Ðblind€applicant€and€enjoins€Ô_ÔAmericallÔ_Ô€from€discriminating€against€applicants€and€employees€onÐ L œ Ðthe€basis€of€physical€disabilities€for€the€three-year€duration€of€the€decree.€The€decree€also€requiresÐ 8 ˆ Ðthat€Americall€post€a€notice€of€the€consent€decree€in€its€Illinois€and€Indiana€locations;€train€all€itsÐ $ t Ðmanagers,€supervisors,€and€human€resources€employees€on€the€ADA;€report€any€complaints€ofÐ  ` Ðdisability€discrimination€to€the€Ô_ÔEEOCÔ_Ô;€and€distribute€or€make€available€its€anti-discriminationÐ ü L  Ðpolicy€to€all€employees€and€applicants.Ð è 8  Ѐ€€€€€€€€€In€addition,€Ô_ÔAmericallÔ_Ô€has€offered€and€agreed,€as€part€of€the€decree,€to€work€with€theÐ Ô$  ÐChicago€Lighthouse€for€People€who€are€Blind€or€Visually€Impaired€to€seek€out€additionalÐ À  Ðqualified€applicants€for€employment.Ð ¬ü  Ѐ€€€€€€€€Ô_ÔMrizekÔ_Ô€said,€"It€is€illegal€to€deny€reasonable€accommodations€to€people€with€service€dogs.Ð ˜è  ÐThis€case€is€an€important€victory€for€service€dog€users€across€the€country.€The€ADA€requiresÐ „Ô  Ðemployers€to€make€reasonable€accommodations€and€that€includes€reasonably€accommodatingÐ pÀ Ðservice€animals."Ð \¬ Ѐ€€€€€€€€John€Rowe,€the€Ô_ÔEEOCÔ_Ô's€district€director€in€Chicago,€said,€"I€am€pleased€that€the€partiesÐ H˜ Ðreached€an€agreement€that€will€work€to€educate€Ô_ÔAmericallÔ_Ô€employees€about€the€importance€of€theÐ 4„ ÐADA€and€the€employer's€obligation€to€provide€reasonable€accommodations.€Discrimination€notÐ  p Ðonly€hurts€those€who€are€victimized,€but€also€denies€all€of€us€the€skills€and€services€of€good,Ð  \ Ðcapable€people€who€have€so€much€to€offer."Ð øH Ѐ€€€€€€€€Ô_ÔEEOCÔ_Ô€Supervisory€Trial€Attorney€Gregory€M.€Ô_ÔGochanourÔ_Ô€said,€"Though€guide€dogs€mayÐ ä4 Ðnot€be€appropriate€in€all€conceivable€circumstances,€there€is€no€good€reason€why€employersÐ Ð  Ðcannot€readily€accommodate€service€animals€many€office€environments€like€call€centers."€TheÐ ¼  ÐÔ_ÔEEOCÔ_Ô€Regional€Attorney€in€Chicago,€John€Ô_ÔHendricksonÔ_Ô,€added,€"Guide€dogs€are€trained€to€beÐ ¨ø Ðnon-disruptive€and€serve€an€important€role€in€helping€some€disabled€individuals€function€both€inÐ ”ä Ðand€out€of€the€work€place.€This€case€should€send€a€message€to€employers€to€not€close€their€doorsÐ €Ð Ðto€disabled€applicants€and€the€service€animals€they€use."Ð l¼ ÐÌÌÔ‡ôø òXXá\ÔREPRINT€PERMISSION:€You€are€permitted€the€limited€right€to€print€materials€for€your€personal€andÐ 0"€  Ðnon-commercial€use€only.€While€no€fee€is€required€in€consideration€of€this€permission,€Ô_ÔCCHÔ_Ô€requires€that€theÐ ô"D! Ðfollowing€statement€be€included€in€any€reproduction€of€this€material:Ð ¸#" Ѐ€€€ð ðExcept€as€expressly€permitted€by€CCH€as€set€forth€above,€no€part€of€the€materials€available€may€be€copied,Ð |$Ì# Ðphotocopied,€reproduced,€translated,€reduced€to€any€electronic€medium€or€machine-readable€form,€or€Ô_ÔretransmittedÔ_Ô,Ð @% $ Ðin€whole€or€in€part,€without€the€prior€written€consent€of€Ô_ÔCCHÔ_Ô.€Any€other€reproduction€in€any€form€without€the€priorÐ &T!% Ðwritten€consent€of€Ô_ÔCCHÔ_Ô€is€prohibited.€Written€consent€may€be€obtained€from€Ô_ÔCCHÔ_Ô.€For€more€information,€pleaseÐ È&"& Ðclick€here.ðð€€€Ô#†Xá\X òôø}#Ôhttp://hr.cch.com/news/employment/011106a.aspÐ Œ'Ü"' ÐÔ‡ôø òXXá\ÔÌÌÌÌò òÔ#†Xá\X òôø¢#ÔÌKeynote€AddressÐ t,Ä'- ÐÐ `-°(. ÐÔ‡ ¼_XXá\ÔMy€Journey€Ô#†Xá\X ¼_œ¢#ÔÐ ° ÐÌó óby€Wendy€Ô_ÔMorrellÔ_Ôò òÐ Ö& Ðó óÌ€€€€€€Good€morning€everyone,€I€would€like€to€thank€Ô_ÔIAADPÔ_Ô€for€the€opportunity€to€speak€to€youÐ ®þ Ðtoday€and€would€like€to€start€by€sharing€a€little€about€myself€and€how€I€come€to€be€here€with€youÐ š ê Ðat€all.€I€hope€those€of€you€who€were€expecting€a€blind€male€American€actor,€will€forgive€theÐ † Ö ÐÔ_ÔIAADPÔ_Ô€Board€for€producing€a€brain€injured€female€British€Access€Advocate!Ð r  Ѐ€€€€€€As€you€can€see,€Caesar,€my€assistance€dog€is€a€Golden€Retriever,€he€is€6€yrs€old€and€has€beenÐ ^ ® Ðwith€me€since€he€was€17€months,€so€weððve€been€a€partnership€just€over€5€years.Ð J š  Ѐ€€€€€€I€think€that€sometimes,€it€helps€to€look€back€on€a€journey€to€fully€appreciate€exactly€whereÐ 6†  Ðyou€are,€and€exactly€how€far€you€have€come.€My€journey€as€a€disabled€person€began€back€inÐ "r  Ð1989,€I€was€a€teacher€and€lecturer,€I€had€a€flourishing€career€in€mathematical€education,€I€wasÐ ^  Ðinvolved€in€writing€the€new€syllabus€for€our€16+€examinations,€writing€the€exams€and€lecturingÐ úJ  Ðto€other€teachers€on€how€to€teach€this€new€syllabus€that€Iððd€help€develop.€It€was€an€exciting€timeÐ æ6  Ðto€be€at€the€cutting€edge,€and€Iððd€also€been€involved€in€writing€and€publishing€a€handbook€forÐ Ò" Ðteachers.€€At€28€years€of€age,€I€was€travelling€the€country€training€teachers€with€over€30€yearsÐ ¾ Ðexperience€how€to€teach€new€materials€and€use€new€methods.Ð ªú Ѐ€€€€€€€In€my€spare€time,€I€enjoyed€archery€and€had€achieved€some€success€nationally,€holding€twoÐ –æ Ðnational€records.€I€also€had€gained€my€Private€Pilots€Licence€in€the€school€summer€holidays€andÐ ‚Ò Ðvery€much€enjoyed€the€intellectual€challenge€of€flying€as€a€hobby.€€In€the€autumn€of€1989,€IððdÐ n¾ Ðbeen€promoted€at€work,€was€planning€to€study€for€my€masters€at€Cambridge€and€had€just€startedÐ Zª Ðflying€twin€engine€aircraft.Ð F– Ѐ€€€€€€Life€was€fulfilling€and€successful€for€me€both€personally€and€professionally.Ð 2‚ Ѐ€€€€€€Then€one€Sunday,€while€I€was€at€a€Great€Britain€archery€squad€training€weekend,€whereÐ n Ðselections€were€being€made€for€the€European€Indoor€Championships,€I€suffered€severe€brain€andÐ  Z Ðneck€injuries€in€a€sports€accident,€resulting€in€unconsciousness€and€11€months€in€hospital€andÐ öF Ðcountless€years€of€rehabilitation.€Ð â2 Ѐ€€€€€€€There€is€no€doubt,€that€in€a€split€second,€my€life€changed€forever.€Ð Î Ѐ€€€€€€€€Literally,€everything€I€valued€in€my€life€had€gone,€the€ability€to€do€virtually€everything€hadÐ º  Ðsimply€disappeared.€I€didnððt€know€what€day€it€was€from€one€minute€to€the€next€and€even€at€17Ð ¦ ö Ðmonths€after€my€injury€my€free€vocabulary€stood€at€just€4€words,€yes,€no,€a€rude€word€beginningÐ ’!â Ðwith€F€and€off.€€I€am€sure€if€Iððd€had€any€inkling€of€how€severely€disabled€I€was,€I€would€haveÐ ~"Î  Ðbeen€appalled!€€It€took€weeks€and€months€to€see€tiny€improvements€and€it€seemed€that€the€onlyÐ j#º! Ðthing€I€was€any€good€at€was€being€stroppy€and€refusing€to€accept€the€status€quo.Ð V$¦" Ѐ€€€€€€€By€the€time€I€left€hospital€and€Ô_ÔrehabÔ_Ô€I€was€left€with€poor€speech,€balance,€memory,€mobility,Ð B%’ # ÐÔ_ÔorganisationÔ_Ô,€rather€uncontrolled€epilepsy,€sight€and€hearing€problems,€PTSD,€loss€of€selfÐ .&~!$ Ðconfidence€and€self€worth€and€an€attitude€that€most€people€would€cross€the€street€to€avoid.€Ð 'j"% Ѐ€€€€€€€It€was€impossible€to€establish€a€daily€routine,€or€indeed€have€any€purpose€to€get€up€in€theÐ (V#& Ðmorning.€Life€was€really€very€daunting€for€me.€Iððd€gone€from€being€one€of€lifeððs€great€Ô_ÔcopersÔ_Ô,€toÐ ò(B$' Ðbeing€totally€dependent.€And€so€it€was€that€I€was€despatched€home€with€a€care€regime€that€wasÐ Þ).%( Ðcosting€the€government€some€ð ð98,000€($165,000)€€a€year€in€order€that€I€could€live€independently!Ð Ê*&) ÐBelieve€me,€I€was€not€a€willing€candidate€for€that€set€up,€and€my€vocabulary€rapidly€expanded€toÐ ¶+'* Ðinclude€the€words€ð ðyouððre€sackedðð€when€I€felt€that€Ô_ÔcarersÔ_Ô€were€taking€advantage€of€me.€Ð ¢,ò'+ Ѐ€€€€€€€I€was€really€in€a€catch€22€situation,€I€needed€the€Ô_ÔcarersÔ_Ô€to€remain€at€home,€but€one€or€twoÐ Ž-Þ(, Ðdishonest€ones€had€made€me€distrustful€of€everyone.€Just€about€the€worst€thing€that€can€happenÐ ° Ðto€someone€with€a€poor€memory€is€for€someone€charged€with€caring€for€them€to€steal€from€themÐ œì Ðand€then€suggest€that€they€never€had€the€missing€item€in€the€first€place.€Things€got€so€bad€at€oneÐ ˆØ Ðstage,€a€friend€came€and€photographed€the€entire€contents€of€my€home€to€keep€on€record€with€myÐ tÄ Ðlawyer,€so€that€when€things€went€missing€he€had€the€evidence€that€I€did€actually€own€them€in€theÐ `° Ðfirst€place!€Ð L œ Ѐ€€€€€€€€I€became€an€expert€in€keeping€people€at€arms€length,€if€they€never€got€close,€they€couldÐ 8 ˆ Ðnever€hurt€me.€I€had€become€security€conscious€and€began€locking€things€away,€however,€Iððd€putÐ $ t Ðthe€keys€in€such€a€safe€place€I€often€couldnððt€remember€where€I€had€put€them,€and€then€I€wouldÐ  ` Ðbecome€frantic€trying€to€find€them,€often€turning€the€house€upside€down€in€the€process!Ð ü L  Ѐ€€€€€€€My€efforts€at€independence€often€ended€in€failure.Ð è 8  Ѐ€€€€€€€One€day€I€struck€out€on€my€own,€gave€the€Ô_ÔcarerÔ_Ô€the€slip€and€called€a€taxi€to€take€me€to€theÐ Ô$  Ðtown€Ô_ÔcentreÔ_Ô.€The€driver€helped€me€load€my€wheelchair€and€we€were€soon€in€town,€only€for€me€toÐ À  Ðdiscover€I€had€forgotten€my€purse€to€pay€him.€I€had€to€get€him€to€drive€me€home,€only€to€discoverÐ ¬ü  Ðthat€I€had€also€forgotten€my€front€door€keys!€I€just€wanted€the€earth€to€open€up€and€swallow€me.Ð ˜è  ÐThankfully,€the€driver€noticed€I€had€been€consistent€in€my€forgetfulness€and€spotted€the€openÐ „Ô  Ðkitchen€window.€Moments€later,€he€was€climbing€though,€over€the€sink€and€made€his€wayÐ pÀ Ðthrough€to€let€me€in€the€front€door.€By€this€time,€embarrassment€and€frustration€had€the€better€ofÐ \¬ Ðme€and€I€simply€paid€him€to€go€away.Ð H˜ Ѐ€€€€€€€So€it€was€just€simpler€not€to€go€out.Ð 4„ Ѐ€€€€€€€One€evening€I€saw€a€clip€on€a€television€Ô_ÔprogrammeÔ_Ô€about€a€woman€with€an€assistance€dog,Ð  p Ðand€started€to€wonder€if€such€a€dog€might€be€able€to€help€me.€The€more€I€thought€about€it,€theÐ  \ Ðmore€Ô_ÔfocussedÔ_Ô€on€the€idea€I€became,€and€quickly€Ô_ÔrealisedÔ_Ô€that€at€least€a€dog€would€never€lie€toÐ øH Ðme!€I€remember€thinking,€if€I€could€have€a€dog€to€look€after€my€keys€I€would€be€so€much€betterÐ ä4 Ðoff.Ð Ð  Ѐ€€€€€€€I€waited€until€I€was€able€to€move€house€to€be€closer€to€my€family€and€applied€to€twoÐ ¼  Ðassistance€dog€programs€on€January€1st€1999.€One€was€honest€but€blunt,€the€waiting€list€wasÐ ¨ø Ðclosed,€but€if€I€would€still€like€a€dog€in€6€months€I€should€get€in€touch€again€then.€The€other,Ð ”ä Ðinvited€me€for€interview€and€assessment€almost€immediately,€I€spent€the€day€with€them,€it€allÐ €Ð Ðappeared€to€go€very€well,€they€were€very€positive€and€I€was€hopeful€a€dog€would€be€arrivingÐ l¼ Ðimminently.€About€two€weeks€after€the€assessment,€my€case€manager€got€in€touch,€it€was€badÐ X ¨ Ðnews,€the€assistance€dog€program€had€turned€me€down,€the€reasons€stated€that€my€memory€wasÐ D!” Ðtoo€poor€and€my€speech€too€halting€and€monotonous€to€ever€be€able€to€be€partnered€successfullyÐ 0"€  Ðwith€an€assistance€dog.Ð #l! Ѐ€€€€€€€Just€my€luck,€to€have€my€life€wrecked€by€an€accident,€and€be€left€with€a€disability€that€wasÐ $X" Ðapparently€the€wrong€type€of€disability€and€it€meant€I€couldnððt€even€have€a€dog€ð8ð€I€felt€like€I€hadÐ ô$D # Ðbeen€hit€by€a€train€and€Ô_ÔspiralledÔ_Ô€into€depression€for€the€spring€and€much€of€the€summer.Ð à%0!$ Ѐ€€€€€€€€Come€September,€I€pursued€the€other€program€(Dogs€for€the€Disabled)€and€was€interviewedÐ Ì&"% Ðand€accepted€onto€their€waiting€list.€Finally,€in€December€2000€Caesar€arrived!€He€came€trainedÐ ¸'#& Ðto€do€wheelchair€assistance€and€memory€based€tasks€but€it€wasnððt€plain€sailing€right€away,€I€wasÐ ¤(ô#' Ða€complete€novice€and€after€a€couple€of€weeks€wanted€to€send€him€back€as€he€appeared€to€beÐ )à$( Ðmisbehaving€and€taking€advantage€right€at€the€very€times€when€I€needed€him€most,€on€the€daysÐ |*Ì%) Ðwhen€I€was€having€seizures.€We€persevered€and€it€became€evident€that€Caesar€was€anticipatingÐ h+¸&* Ðmy€seizures€well,€but€simply€didnððt€know€what€to€do€about€an€alert.€I€had€to€stop€telling€him€offÐ T,¤'+ Ðand€start€praising€him,€and€sure€enough€a€solid€alert€developed.Ð @-(, Ѐ€€€€€€€Naturally€enough,€during€the€first€year€or€so€I€was€on€a€very€fast€learning€curve,€with€CaesarÐ ° Ðand€I€learning€to€trust€each€other€as€a€partnership€and€for€me€personally€learning€to€let€my€barriersÐ œì Ðdown€and€allow€the€freedom€Caesar€brought€to€expand€my€comfort€zone.€Together€we€saw€theÐ ˆØ Ðtransition€from€my€being€virtually€housebound€with€poor€speech€and€no€confidence€to€facing€lifeÐ tÄ Ðand€all€its€challenges€with€renewed€Ô_ÔvigourÔ_Ô€and€enthusiasm.Ð `° Ѐ€€€€€€€€Something€as€simple€as€losing€my€keys€would€cause€me€to€panic€and€literally€throw€the€dayÐ L œ Ðinto€turmoil,€by€the€time€I€had€expended€energy€finding€my€keys,€I€often€was€too€tired€to€then€goÐ 8 ˆ Ðout!€Caesar€carries€out€an€orderly€search€of€the€most€likely€places€in€my€home€where€I€leave€theÐ $ t Ðkeys,€and€retrieves€them.€To€him€it€is€all€one€big€game.€If€they€are€in€a€coat€pocket€or€on€a€highÐ  ` Ðshelf€and€he€cannot€reach€them,€he€is€trained€to€sit€and€face€the€keys€and€bark,€thus€alerting€me€toÐ ü L  Ðtheir€whereabouts.Ð è 8  Ѐ€€€€€€€I€used€to€be€hyper€vigilant,€always€looking€over€my€shoulder,€and€lying€awake€at€nightÐ Ô$  Ðlistening€to€every€noise,€imagining€the€worst.€I€sleep€so€much€better€now€knowing€that€CaesarÐ À  Ðwill€wake€me€if€anything€untoward€happens€...€although€just€occasionally,€I€do€wish€he€wouldÐ ¬ü  Ðunderstand€I€donððt€need€to€know€about€a€fox€in€the€garden€at€5am!Ð ˜è  Ѐ€€€€€€€Other€inevitable€positive€gains€from€life€with€my€assistance€dog€are€improved€€speech,Ð „Ô  Ðconfidence,€Ô_ÔorganisationÔ_Ô,€and€establishing€and€maintaining€a€daily€routine,€and€involvementÐ pÀ Ðwithin€the€community.€Iððd€like€to€share€with€you€a€couple€of€quotes€from€people€who€knowÐ \¬ Ðme.....Ð H˜ Ѐ€€€€€€€€Neurologist....."This€dog€has€done€more€for€your€speech€in€12€months€than€we€haveÐ 4„ Ðmanaged€in€years€of€speech€therapy".€Ð  p Ѐ€€€€€€€€€Ô_ÔNeighbourÔ_Ô......"During€the€first€18€months€you€lived€in€our€street,€I€often€wondered€if€youÐ  \ Ðwere€agoraphobic,€I€saw€you€so€little,€and€when€I€did€see€you,€having€a€conversation€with€youÐ øH Ðwas€like€walking€through€thick€treacle....slow,€sticky€and€awkward.€Nowadays,€I€see€you€three€orÐ ä4 Ðfour€times€a€day€most€days,€and€on€days€when€I€don't€see€you,€I€KNOW€it€is€because€you€are€offÐ Ð  Ðdoing€something€exciting€with€Caesar".Ð ¼  Ѐ€€€€€€€€€The€change€in€me€must€have€been€apparent€to€others€and€also€to€Dogs€for€the€Disabled,€theÐ ¨ø Ðprogram€Caesar€comes€from,€as€they€asked€me€to€help€in€small€ways€with€fundraising€andÐ ”ä Ðexplaining€how€Caesar€had€helped€me€to€small€groups€of€people.€Things€quickly€moved€on€and€IÐ €Ð Ðbecame€passionate€about€three€main€issues;€education,€disability€awareness€and€access.Ð l¼ Ѐ€€€€€€€€€For€the€past€four€years€Caesar€and€I€have€taken€part€in€demonstrations€for€schools,€clubs,Ð X ¨ ÐÔ_ÔorganisationsÔ_Ô€and€at€dog€events,€in€particular€at€Ô_ÔCruftsÔ_Ô€for€the€last€3€shows.€I€visit€schools€on€aÐ D!” Ðregular€basis€giving€assemblies€for€youngsters€aged€anywhere€between€5€and€18€years.€AmongÐ 0"€  Ðother€things€I€explain€the€important€role€of€assistance€dogs€in€our€society€and€how€to€behaveÐ #l! Ðappropriately€towards€a€partnership€in€public.Ð $X" Ѐ€€€€€€€€€My€love€of€travel€has€been€rekindled€during€this€time€and€as€soon€as€Caesar€had€his€PetÐ ô$D # ÐPassport€we€were€off€to€Europe€-€this€was€a€real€eye€opener€with€regard€to€access€for€assistanceÐ à%0!$ Ðdog€partnerships.Ð Ì&"% Ѐ€€€€€€€€€Every€so€often€we€can€be€thwarted€as€a€partnership€by€a€refusal€of€access.€I€becameÐ ¸'#& Ðinterested€in€promoting€knowledge€about€assistance€dog€partnership€to€access€Ô_ÔrefusersÔ_Ô,€and€ratherÐ ¤(ô#' Ðthan€immediately€threaten€to€sue,€I€discovered€peaceable€success€can€be€achieved€in€many€casesÐ )à$( Ðif€one€educates,€negotiates€and€accommodates€issues€of€real€concern,€of€which€there€are€very€few.Ð |*Ì%) Ѐ€€€€€€€€€Patterns€of€access€refusal€have€emerged€and€I€have€enjoyed€the€challenge€of€having€a€roleÐ h+¸&* Ðin€the€removal€of€barriers.€I€have€been€actively€working€with€Dogs€for€the€Disabled€on€accessÐ T,¤'+ Ðissues€for€the€past€4€years,€and€occasionally€have€had€the€opportunity€to€help€on€a€more€broaderÐ @-(, Ðbasis€when€Ô_ÔADUKÔ_Ô€pursue€access€and€education€issues.€It€was€particularly€enjoyable€helpingÐ ° Ðinform€the€staff€of€Ô_ÔEurostarÔ_Ô,€the€high€speed€train€company€that€runs€from€London€to€France€howÐ œì Ðto€assist€passengers€using€wheelchairs€who€are€also€accompanied€by€a€service€dog.Ð ˆØ Ѐ€€€€€€€€€Way€back€in€the€early€years€in€hospital€after€my€accident,€I€was€fortunate€enough€to€meetÐ tÄ ÐPrincess€Diana€when€she€came€to€a€conference€at€the€medical€school€of€the€hospital€I€was€in.€SheÐ `° Ðwas€at€that€time€a€Patron€of€Headway€our€national€brain€injury€charity.€So,€it€was€only€naturalÐ L œ Ðthat€on€my€first€trip€to€London€after€the€opening€of€her€memorial€fountain€I€would€go€and€visit.€Ð 8 ˆ Ѐ€€€€€€€€€I€got€to€the€entrance€and€was€asked€if€Caesar€was€a€Guide€Dog,€I€explained€he€was€aÐ $ t ÐRegistered€Assistance€Dog€from€Dogs€for€the€Disabled€and€moved€to€go€in.€The€gatekeeperÐ  ` Ðstopped€me€and€insisted€that€as€he€is€not€a€Guide€Dog€we€could€not€go€in.€I€explained€that€in€UKÐ ü L  Ðlaw€Caesar€has€the€same€legal€status€when€working€as€a€working€Guide€Dog,€but€that€cut€no€ice.Ð è 8  ÐEventually,€the€guy€let€me€in€reluctantly€as€I€was€causing€a€queue€to€build€up.€When€I€left€heÐ Ô$  Ðwarned€me€not€to€return€with€the€dog.€I€was€furious€and€felt€this€was€not€in€the€spirit€of€PrincessÐ À  ÐDiana€at€all.€I€sat€outside€and€sent€a€text€message€to€my€Member€of€Parliament,€and€this€is€whenÐ ¬ü  Ðyou€really€know€your€MP€is€listening€to€you,€when€they€text€you€back!€On€her€advice,€I€got€all€theÐ ˜è  Ðdetails€and€photos€needed,€and€within€6€weeks€we€had€an€apology€from€the€Royal€Parks€Dept.,Ð „Ô  Ðthe€Ô_ÔsignageÔ_Ô€was€duly€changed€and€the€staff€retrained.€Result!Ð pÀ Ѐ€€€€€€€€€In€2004€€Caesar€and€I€did€some€ð ðundercoverðð€investigative€journalism€to€expose€theÐ \¬ Ðfrightful€treatment€upon€trains€in€south€west€England,€the€issue€was€taken€up€my€MP,€nationalÐ H˜ Ðdisabled€persons€Ô_ÔorganisationsÔ_Ô,€and€the€local€tv€station€gave€us€4€Ô_ÔminsÔ_Ô€55secs€at€the€top€of€theÐ 4„ Ðnews€to€expose€how€I€(and€many€other€wheelchair€users)€are€expected€to€travel€in€the€dismalÐ  p Ðconditions€of€guards€brake€van€when€Ô_ÔtravellingÔ_Ô€by€train.€Afterwards€I€wondered€if€it€would€beÐ  \ Ðawkward€Ô_ÔtravellingÔ_Ô€from€the€same€station€as€the€staff€might€be€hostile,€but€they€were€veryÐ øH Ðsupportive€and€now€often€joke€with€me€about€which€bag€has€the€hidden€camera€in!Ð ä4 Ѐ€€€€€€€€I€have€spoken€at€Parliamentary€level€about€the€benefits€of€assistance€dog€partnership,€asÐ Ð  Ðwell€as€on€behalf€of€The€Kennel€Club,€The€Countryside€Agency,€The€Countryside€Council€forÐ ¼  ÐWales,€The€Welsh€Forestry€Commission.€More€recently€I€have€given€speeches€for€The€KennelÐ ¨ø ÐClub€on€responsible€dog€ownership€and€access€for€people€with€disabilities€to€the€countryside.Ð ”ä Ѐ€€€€€€€€€In€July€05€I€Ô_ÔtravelledÔ_Ô€with€Caesar€to€Croatia€to€help€the€Croatian€Guide€Dog€and€MobilityÐ €Ð ÐAssociation€promote€their€work€and€assistance€dog€partnership€to€not€only€the€disabledÐ l¼ Ðcommunity€but€their€whole€country€via€the€national€television€and€press.€Caesar€was€a€very€realÐ X ¨ Ðpart€of€this€work€too,€assisting€with€demonstrations€and€allowing€others€to€see€how€assistanceÐ D!” Ðdogs€from€western€Europe€are€trained€and€behave.€I€was€able€to€learn€at€first€hand€the€difficultiesÐ 0"€  Ðbeing€experienced€in€Croatia€and€the€Balkans€and€helped€by€giving€a€workshop€to€their€staff€inÐ #l! Ðaddition€to€my€main€presentation.€Subsequently,€I€have€assisted€their€Ô_ÔorganisationÔ_Ô€in€variousÐ $X" Ðways€by€providing€equipment,€contacts€and€encouraging€them€in€joining€Ô_ÔADEuÔ_Ô.€I€have€beenÐ ô$D # Ðinvited€back€to€Croatia€to€speak€at€a€national€conference€for€people€with€disabilities€about€theÐ à%0!$ Ðbenefits€of€assistance€dog€partnership.Ð Ì&"% Ѐ€€€€€€€€€During€the€summer€and€autumn€of€2005€I€conducted€a€pan€European€access€survey€forÐ ¸'#& Ðassistance€dog€partnerships€for€and€on€behalf€of€Assistance€Dogs€Europe€(Ô_ÔADEuÔ_Ô).€This€hasÐ ¤(ô#' Ðinvolved€close€cooperation€from€Ô_ÔADEuÔ_Ô€Board€members€and€representatives€from€assistance€dogÐ )à$( Ðprograms€throughout€Europe.€I€collated€the€replies€and€jointly€presented€the€findings€with€PeterÐ |*Ì%) ÐÔ_ÔGorbingÔ_Ô,€President€of€Ô_ÔADEuÔ_Ô€at€the€Ô_ÔADEuÔ_Ô€annual€conference€in€Salzburg€in€late€October€05.€Ð h+¸&* Ѐ€€€€€€€€€The€survey€involved€writing€a€36€point€questionnaire,€refining€it€in€order€that€those€whoseÐ T,¤'+ Ðfirst€language€is€not€English€would€find€it€manageable,€liaising€with€the€president€and€Board€ofÐ @-(, ÐÔ_ÔADEuÔ_Ô,€writing€the€form€based€web€page€for€people€to€fill€in€their€answers,€collating€the€results,Ð ° Ðliaising€with€regard€to€non€respondents€and€drawing€overall€conclusions€to€present€to€conference.Ð œì ÐOf€course,€this€is€just€the€beginning€of€this€work€and€not€the€end!€It€is€to€gain€an€greater€insightÐ ˆØ Ðinto€the€status€quo€in€order€to€draw€up€proposals€for€further€work€in€the€future.€and€gain€greaterÐ tÄ Ðinsight€into€the€issues€affecting€assistance€dog€partnerships€in€Europe€and€help€formulate€plans€toÐ `° Ðachieve€greater€access€for€all€partnerships.€Ð L œ Ѐ€€€€€€€€€There€were€several€surprising€details€revealed€by€the€survey,€notably€that€Croatia,€a€smallÐ 8 ˆ Ðcountry€with€55€guide€dogs,€10€therapy€dogs€and€4€service€dogs€had€the€most€progressive€accessÐ $ t Ðlaw€in€the€whole€of€Europe.€Those€working€in€the€field€of€assistance€dogs€had€their€mindsÐ  ` ÐÔ_ÔfocussedÔ_Ô€on€their€own€access€and€laws€with€regard€to€disability€discrimination,€and€were€able€toÐ ü L  Ðsee€how€they€fared€against€the€provision€in€Ô_ÔneighbouringÔ_Ô€countries.€Itððs€an€exciting€time€to€beÐ è 8  Ðinvolved€in€access€work,€it€is€a€battle€where€right€is€on€our€side€and€everyone€knows€we€will€winÐ Ô$  Ðeventually;€it€is€just€how€we€go€about€achieving€our€goals€more€quickly.Ð À  Ѐ€€€€€€€€€Having€been€very€involved€with€access€in€my€own€country€and€in€Europe,€it€was€of€courseÐ ¬ü  Ðnatural€that€I€would€be€interested€in€access€across€the€US€and€have€followed€people€use€the€ADAÐ ˜è  Ðto€back€access€refusals€with€regard€to€assistance€dogs€online.€It€is€a€great€pleasure€to€be€here€andÐ „Ô  Ðexperience€access€in€the€United€States€at€first€hand.Ð pÀ Ѐ€€€€€€€€€I€am€delighted€to€be€the€first€British€assistance€dog€partnership€to€attend€this€conferenceÐ \¬ Ðwith€their€dog;€of€course€this€has€been€made€possible€by€the€work€of€the€International€TravelÐ H˜ ÐGroup€in€producing€the€Policy€Guidelines€for€Guide€and€Other€Assistance€Dogs€when€carried€byÐ 4„ ÐUK€airlines.Ð  p Ѐ€€€€€€€€€Many€thanks€are€also€due€to€Michael€Osborne€of€the€Ô_ÔIAADPÔ_Ô€Board€for€securing€our€ticketsÐ  \ Ðfrom€British€Airways.€Partly€at€my€own€choosing,€and€also€upon€the€advice€of€dogs€for€theÐ øH ÐDisabled,€Caesar€and€I€Ô_ÔtravelledÔ_Ô€from€London€to€Washington€DC,€where€we€stayed€a€few€daysÐ ä4 Ðbefore€we€flew€out€here€to€San€Diego.€I€think€the€8€ðð€hour€flight€form€London€to€DC€was€farÐ Ð  Ðlong€enough,€and€still€meant€that€Caesar€had€to€tolerate€11€hours€5€minutes€without€a€toiletÐ ¼  Ðopportunity.€In€DC€we€were€met€by€friends€and€treated€like€royalty,€we€even€got€to€tour€TheÐ ¨ø ÐSenate€as€guests€of€Senator€John€Warnerððs€staff,€where€we€had€lunch€on€the€next€table€to€theÐ ”ä Ðchairman€of€the€Ô_ÔAlitoÔ_Ô€hearings,€we€entered€the€House€of€Representatives,€saw€the€old€SupremeÐ €Ð ÐCourt€and€even€made€it€out€onto€the€balcony€at€the€front€of€the€Capitol€Building,€to€Ô_ÔsavourÔ_Ô€theÐ l¼ Ðamazing€views€of€DC€normally€reserved€for€Senate€staff.€I€believe€I€am€right€in€saying€that€lastÐ X ¨ Ðweek€Caesar€became€the€first€assistance€dog€to€attend€dinner€in€the€restaurants€of€both€the€BritishÐ D!” ÐHouse€of€Commons€Members€Dining€Room€and€The€Senate€dining€room!€He€even€got€to€meetÐ 0"€  ÐSenator€Ted€Kennedyððs€two€Portuguese€Water€Dogs€and€shared€some€time€with€them€and€aÐ #l! Ðcouple€of€tennis€balls€on€the€lawn!Ð $X" Ѐ€€€€€€€€It€was€very€interesting€taking€the€second€stage€of€our€journey€to€California;€we€flew€fromÐ ô$D # ÐDC€to€San€Diego€by€Jet€Blue.€This€was€probably€the€first€opportunity€where€someone€couldÐ à%0!$ Ðreally€challenge€our€status€over€access;€but€at€the€check€in,€I€presented€Caesars€Pet€Passport€andÐ Ì&"% Ðhis€ID€cards€from€Dogs€for€the€Disabled€and€all€was€well,€no€further€questioning€and€theÐ ¸'#& Ðcomment€that€if€only€everyone€had€such€clear€ID€and€suitably€attired€dog€then€their€work€wouldÐ ¤(ô#' Ðbe€so€much€easier.€Interesting€huh?€Ð )à$( Ѐ€€€€€€€€€Of€course,€when€Ô_ÔtravellingÔ_Ô€any€journey,€one€doesnððt€travel€in€isolation.€About€the€sameÐ |*Ì%) Ðtime€Caesar€came€to€live€with€me,€my€father€became€very€seriously€ill€and€was€taken€intoÐ h+¸&* Ðhospital,€not€expected€to€last€the€weekend.€Much€to€his€delight€he€defied€medical€expectations,Ð T,¤'+ Ðand€several€weeks€later€was€allowed€home,€on€the€proviso€he€moved€into€my€single€storeyÐ @-(, Ðaccessible€home.€Oxygen€was€installed€and€Dad€moved€in,€with€the€expectation€that€he€had€aboutÐ ° Ðthree€months€to€live.€Here€we€are€some€five€years€later,€Dad€is€still€with€us,€Caesar€has€willinglyÐ œì Ðexpanded€his€job€description€and€works€for€Dad€too,€and€without€really€noticing€it,€my€roleÐ ˆØ Ðchanged€from€being€the€totally€dependent€one€to€the€one€managing€and€coping€as€main€Ô_ÔcarerÔ_Ô€forÐ tÄ Ðsomeone€else.€€Yes,€I€employ€someone€to€help€run€the€house,€I€mean€who€wants€to€do€theÐ `° Ðwashing€up€anyway?€Ð L œ Ѐ€€€€€€€€Of€course,€this€has€all€been€possible€because€of€the€love€and€willingness€to€please€by€justÐ 8 ˆ Ðone€dog,€and€of€course€one€assistance€dog€program€willing€to€take€a€chance€and€place€a€dog€withÐ $ t Ðme€in€the€first€place.Ð  ` Ѐ€€€€€€€€Bit€by€bit,€step€by€step,€we€are€making€a€difference€in€the€area€of€access,€just€imagine€whatÐ ü L  Ða€difference€it€would€make€if€every€one€of€us€in€this€room€was€working€in€the€same€direction€forÐ è 8  Ðthe€greater€good€of€the€whole€assistance€dog€movement.Ð Ô$  Ѐ€€€€€€€€So€thatððs€our€journey€so€far,€I€hope€your€journey€will€be€an€equally€safe€and€fulfilling€one,Ð À  Ðand€would€like€to€thank€you€so€much€for€listening€and€hope€that€you€enjoy€the€rest€of€the€excitingÐ ¬ü  Ðday€Ô_ÔIAADPÔ_Ô€has€planned€for€us.€€€€€€€€€€€Ð ˜è  ЀÌÌÌò òÔ‡ ¼_XXá\ÔSecond€Notice€of€Election€ó ó€€Ô#†Xá\X ¼_j #ÔÐ H˜ ÐÌ€€€€€€Partner€members€interested€in€nominating€themselves€to€serve€a€four€year€term€on€Ô_ÔIAADPÔ_ÔððsÐ tÄ ÐBoard€of€Directors€[including€incumbents]€must€send€a€biographical€resume€and€two€referencesÐ `° Ðto€the€Ô_ÔIAADPÔ_Ô€Nominating€Committee€*€P.O.€Box€1326€*€Sterling€Hts.,€MI€*€48311€in€the€USA.€Ð Lœ ÐYour€letter€must€be€postmarked€no€later€than€August€15th,€2006.€€(€the€deadline€has€beenÐ 8ˆ Ðextended€due€to€this€being€a€double€issue,€coming€out€later€than€originally€anticipated.€However,Ð $t Ðif€for€some€reason,€€you€receive€the€disk€or€cassette€version€of€our€newsletter€less€than€a€weekÐ ` Ðbefore€the€deadline€due€to€an€U.S.€mail€delay€beyond€our€control,€we€will€extend€the€deadline€tillÐ üL ÐAugust€30òòthóó€)€€Ð è8 Ѐ€€€€€€The€Nominating€Committee€will€review€the€resume,€check€references€and€choose€a€slate€ofÐ Ô$ Ðnine€candidates€to€recommend€to€the€membership€for€election€to€the€board.€€The€others€will€beÐ À Ðoffered€the€opportunity€to€have€their€name€on€the€ballot€too,€as€per€our€bylaws.€€The€election€willÐ ¬ ü Ðtake€place€when€ballot€packets€are€mailed€to€partner€members€in€the€autumn€in€2006.€€The€newÐ ˜!è Ðterm€starts€on€Jan.€1,€2007.€€Ð „"Ô  Ѐ€€€€€€Prospective€board€members€must€commit€to€attending€the€two€day€Annual€Meeting€inÐ p#À! ÐJanuary,€usually€held€in€conjunction€with€an€annual€conference.€€Board€members€must€also€attendÐ \$¬" Ða€three€day€Mid„Year€board€retreat€in€Michigan€at€Ô_ÔIAADPÔ_Ô€headquarters,€with€some€travelÐ H%˜ # Ðexpenses€reimbursed€if€it€would€be€a€financial€hardship.€€Other€business€is€conducted€by€emailÐ 4&„!$ Ðand€conference€calls€throughout€the€year.€€Ð  'p"% Ѐ€€€€€€Ô_ÔIAADPÔ_Ô€relies€on€its€volunteer€board€to€carry€out€the€work€and€fundraising€necessary€to€keepÐ  (\#& ÐÔ_ÔIAADPÔ_Ô€viable,€so€a€willingness€to€take€on€some€of€these€responsibilities€is€more€important€toÐ ø(H$' ÐÔ_ÔIAADPÔ_Ô€than€the€length€of€time€someone€has€been€an€assistance€dog€partner.€€This€is€anÐ ä)4%( Ðopportunity€for€someone€interested€in€taking€on€a€leadership€role€in€the€assistance€dogÐ Ð* &) Ðcommunity€or€a€more€active€role€to€nominate€themselves.Ð ¼+ '* Ѐ€€€€€€€If€you€have€a€question,€please€call€Ô_ÔIAADPÔ_Ô€or€email€Joan€at€Ô4‚¼€i¸ÔÝ‚ ÍOÝÔÿÔòòÝ  ÝÔ5  Ôjoan@iaadp.orgÔ6]ÔÝ‚ ÍOq€to€ÝóóÔÿÔÝ  ÝÔ7ct²ŸÔ.€Alternatively,Ð ¨,ø'+ Ðyou€may€email€one€of€the€other€board€members€whose€email€addresses€are€listed€on€the€websiteÐ ”-ä(, Ðor€in€the€gray€box€of€the€print€version€of€the€newsletter..Ð ° ÐÌÌÌÌò òÔ‡ ¼_XXá\ÔApproaches€to€Measuring€Behavior€and€Temperament€in€AssistanceÐ L œ ÐDogsó óÔ#†Xá\X ¼_ý#ÔÐ † Ö ÐÌJames€A.€Ô_ÔSerpellÔ_Ô,€PhDÐ ¬ ü ÐMarie€A.€Moore€Professor€of€Humane€Ethics€&€Animal€Welfare,Ð ˜ è  ÐUniversity€of€Pennsylvania,€School€of€Veterinary€MedicineÐ „Ô  ÐÌ€€€€€€€Behavioral€or€temperament€problems€of€one€sort€or€another€represent€the€most€commonÐ \¬  Ðreason€why€prospective€assistance€dogs€are€released€from€training€programs.€Yet€compared€withÐ H˜  Ðhealth€problems,€such€as€hip€Ô_ÔdysplasiaÔ_Ô,€they€have€attracted€far€less€attention€and€research€funding.Ð 4„  ÐIn€part,€this€is€because€behavior€problems€tend€to€be€less€immediately€distressing€from€an€animalÐ  p Ðwelfare€perspective€than€health€problems,€and€therefore€demand€less€immediate€remedies.Ð  \ ÐHowever,€another€important€barrier€to€addressing€temperament€issues€in€the€assistance€dog€worldÐ øH Ðis€the€lack€of€consensus€among€the€different€experts€and€organizations€regarding€the€best€ways€toÐ ä4 Ðevaluate€and€characterize€canine€behavioral€phenotypes.€Ð Ð  Ѐ€€€€€€Although€they€share€essentially€the€same€goalð"ðe.g.€the€production€of€ideal€canineÐ ¼  Ðassistantsð"ðorganizations€that€produce€assistance€dogs€have€traditionally€worked€more€or€less€inÐ ¨ø Ðisolation,€each€developing€its€own€unique€methods€for€identifying,€selecting€and€training€theÐ ”ä Ðððbest'€dogs,€and€each€believing€that€it€is€doing€a€better€job€of€this€than€the€other€groups€in€theÐ €Ð Ðfield.€€Unfortunately,€this€has€resulted€in€a€process€of€ððÔ_ÔbalkanizationÔ_Ô'€in€which€each€organizationÐ l¼ Ðhas€evolved€its€own€culture€and€language€for€describing€canine€behavior€and€training€that€is€notÐ X¨ Ðnecessarily€intelligible€to€members€of€other€organizations€or,€for€that€matter,€behavioralÐ D” Ðscientists.€For€health€problems€we€have€a€set€of€reasonably€well-established€diagnostic€criteriaÐ 0€ Ðthat€can€be€applied€to€the€ailments€of€any€dog€belonging€to€any€agency.€But€when€it€comes€toÐ l Ðbehavioral€problems,€we€are€faced€with€a€wide€range€of€competing€definitions€and€diagnoses,€andÐ  X Ðalmost€no€objective€means€of€judging€which€of€them€is€the€most€accurate€and€reliable.€Ð ô D Ѐ€€€€€€The€primary€goal€of€assistance€dog€selection€and€breeding€should€be€to€reduce€or€eliminateÐ à!0 Ðbehavior/temperament€problems€either€by€modifying€a€dog's€developmental€environment€andÐ Ì"  Ðexperience,€or€via€genetic€selection€of€sound€animals.€But€before€this€goal€can€be€attained,€theÐ ¸#! Ðindustry€must€first:Ð ¤$ô" ÐÌ1.à  àDevelop€appropriate€and€practical€methods€for€measuring€behavioral€phenotypes€in€theÐ |&Ì!$ Ðassistance€dog€population.Ð h'¸"% Ð2.à  àEstablish€the€validity€and€reliability€of€these€measures,€and€throw€away€the€ones€that€areÐ T(¤#& Ðinaccurate,€insensitive€or€unreliable.Ð @)$' Ð3.à  àStandardize€these€behavioral€measures€across€organizations/agencies€so€that€informationÐ ,*|%( Ðcan€be€shared,€and€meaningful€comparisons€can€be€made.Ð +h&) ÐÌThis€presentation€will€describe€a€unique€new€program€of€research€sponsored€by€a€consortium€ofÐ ð,@(+ Ðnational€guide€and€service€dog€organizations€that€seeks€to€accomplish€these€goals.€SpecificallyÐ Ü-,), Ðour€aim€is:Ð ° ÐÌ€à  àTo€design€and€develop€practical€measures€(questionnaires€and€tests)€of€canine€behavioralÐ ˆØ Ðphenotypes.Ð tÄ Ѐà  àTo€determine€the€reliability€and€validity€of€these€measures.Ð `° Ѐà  àTo€create€a€ððstandard'€descriptive€classification€of€canine€behavior/temperament€based€onÐ L œ Ðthese€measures.Ð 8 ˆ Ѐà  àTo€identify€the€main€genetic€and€environmental€determinants€of€variation€in€behavioralÐ $ t Ðphenotypes.Ð  ` ÐÌò òThe€C„Ô_ÔBARQÔ_Ô€questionnaireó óÐ è 8  Ѐ€€€€€The€keystone€of€this€research€program€has€been€the€development€of€the€Canine€BehavioralÐ Ô$  ÐAssessment€and€Research€Questionnaire€(C-Ô_ÔBARQÔ_Ô).€€The€C-Ô_ÔBARQÔ_Ô€is€a€reliable,€standardizedÐ À  Ðmethod€for€evaluating€and€screening€dogs€for€the€presence€and€severity€of€behavioral€problems.€ItÐ ¬ü  Ðis€simple€to€use,€takes€about€15€minutes€to€fill€out,€and€can€be€completed€by€anyone€who€isÐ ˜è  Ðreasonably€familiar€with€the€dog's€typical€responses€to€ordinary,€day-to-day€events€and€stimuli.Ð „Ô  ÐThe€C-Ô_ÔBARQÔ_Ô€is€unique€because€it€is€currently€the€only€existing€behavioral€assessment€instrumentÐ pÀ Ðof€its€kind€to€be€thoroughly€tested€for€reliability€and€validity€on€large€samples€of€dogs€of€variousÐ \¬ Ðbreeds.€This€testing€process€has€enabled€the€identification€of€eleven€distinct€temperament€factorsÐ H˜ Ðor€traits€that€are€common€to€the€majority€of€dogs,€regardless€of€breed,€age,€sex€or€neuter€status:Ð 4„ ÐÌò ò1.ó óà  àò òòòStranger„directed€aggressionóóó ó€(a€dog's€tendency€to€respond€aggressively€or€threateninglyÐ  \ Ðto€strangers€approaching€or€invading€the€dog's€or€owner's€personal€space,€territory,€or€homeÐ üL Ðrange)Ð è8 Ðò ò2.ó óà  àò òòòOwner„directed€aggressionóóó ó€(a€dog's€tendency€to€respond€aggressively€or€threateningly€toÐ Ô$ Ðthe€owner€or€other€members€of€household€when€challenged,€manhandled,€stared€at,€or€steppedÐ Ä Ðover€or€when€approached€while€in€possession€of€food€or€objects)Ð ° Ðò ò3.ó óà  àò òòòStranger„directed€fearóóó ó€(a€dog's€tendency€to€respond€fearfully€or€warily€when€approachedÐ œì Ðdirectly€by€strangers)Ð ŒÜ Ðò ò4.ó óà  àò òòòNonsocial€fearóóó ó€(a€dog's€tendency€to€react€fearfully€to€sudden€or€loud€noises€and€toÐ xÈ Ðunfamiliar€objects€and€situations)Ð h ¸ Ðò ò5.ó óà  àò òòòDog„directed€fear/aggressionóóó ó€(a€dog's€tendency€to€respond€fearfully€or€aggressively€whenÐ T!¤ Ðapproached€directly€by€unfamiliar€dogs).€NB:€In€practice€this€factor€can€also€be€broken€into€twoÐ D"”  Ðsemi-distinct€additional€factors:€Dog-directed€aggression€and€dog-directed€fear.Ð 0#€! Ðò ò6.ó óà  àò òòòSeparation„related€behavioróóó ó€(a€dog's€tendency€to€vocalize€or€engage€in€destructiveÐ $l" Ðbehavior€when€separated€from€the€owner,€often€accompanied€or€preceded€by€behavioral€andÐ  %\ # Ðautonomic€signs€of€anxiety€including€restlessness,€loss€of€appetite,€trembling,€and€excessiveÐ ø%H!$ Ðsalivation)Ð ä&4"% Ðò ò7.ó óà  àò òòòAttachment€or€attention„seekingóóó ó€€(a€dog's€tendency€to€maintain€close€proximity€to€theÐ Ð' #& Ðowner€or€other€members€of€household,€to€solicit€affection€or€attention,€and€to€become€agitatedÐ À($' Ðwhen€the€owner€gives€attention€to€third€parties)Ð ¬)ü$( Ðò ò8.ó óà  àò òòòÔ_ÔTrainabilityÔ_Ôóóó ó€(a€dog's€willingness€to€attend€to€the€owner,€obey€simple€commands,€retrieveÐ ˜*è%) Ðobjects,€respond€positively€to€correction,€and€ignore€distracting€stimuli)Ð ˆ+Ø&* Ðò ò9.ó óà  àò òòòChasingóóó ó€(a€dog's€tendency€to€engage€in€predatory€pursuit€of€cats,€birds,€and€other€smallÐ t,Ä'+ Ðanimals)Ð d-´(, Ðò ò10.ó óà  àò òòòExcitabilityóóó ó€(a€dog's€tendency€to€react€strongly€to€potentially€exciting€or€arousing€events,Ð ° Ðsuch€as€going€for€walks€or€car€trips,€doorbells,€arrival€of€visitors,€and€the€owner€arriving€home)Ð  ð Ðò ò11.ó óà  àò òòòTouch€sensitivityóóó ó€(a€dog's€tendency€to€react€fearfully€to€potentially€painful€procedures,Ð ŒÜ Ðincluding€bathing,€grooming,€nail-clipping,€and€veterinary€examinations).€Ð |Ì ÐÌ€€€€€€€With€the€exception€of€touch€sensitivity,€all€of€these€factors€were€found€to€be€highly€reliableÐ T ¤ Ð(both€internally€consistent€and€consistent€between€raters),€and€the€first€7€were€found€to€be€valid€inÐ @  Ðthe€sense€that€they€discriminated€well€between€dogs€independently€diagnosed€as€either€displayingÐ , | Ðor€not€displaying€corresponding€behavior€problems€(Ô_ÔHsuÔ_Ô€&€Ô_ÔSerpellÔ_Ô,€2003).€The€validity€of€theÐ  h Ðremaining€4€factors€could€not€be€assessed€by€this€method.€€However,€based€on€previous€workÐ  T  Ðwith€guide€dogs€(Ô_ÔSerpellÔ_Ô€&€Ô_ÔHsuÔ_Ô,€2001),€it€is€likely€that€these€factors€are€also€valid.€Ð ð @  ÐÌò òThe€C„Ô_ÔBARQÔ_Ô€onlineó óÐ È  Ѐ€€€€€€The€C-Ô_ÔBARQÔ_Ô€is€now€web-based.€Assistance€dog€raisers€with€internet€access€can€completeÐ ´  Ðthe€questionnaire€online,€and€the€data€are€automatically€stored€in€an€interactive€database.€ThisÐ  ð  Ðarrangement€not€only€streamlines€data€collection,€but€also€allows€organization€administratorsÐ ŒÜ  Ðimmediate€access€to€the€results€of€each€dog's€C-Ô_ÔBARQÔ_Ô€assessments,€either€for€viewing€online€orÐ xÈ Ðas€downloadable€Excel€files.Ð d´ ÐÌò òEvaluation€of€a€7€week€puppy€testing€programó óÐ <Œ Ѐ€€€€€€Many€working€dog€organizations€administer€puppy€tests€(or€puppy€aptitude€tests)€to€theirÐ (x Ðpuppies€when€they€are€about€7-8€weeks€old,€and€may€release€a€proportion€of€pups€at€this€age€ifÐ d Ðtheir€test€scores€fall€below€a€certain€critical€threshold.€Because€of€the€relative€immaturity€ofÐ P Ðpuppies'€neural€systems€at€this€age,€however,€considerable€doubts€surround€the€ability€of€suchÐ ì< Ðtests€to€accurately€predict€adult€temperament€and€working€performance.€Ð Ø( Ѐ€€€€€€Six-month€and€12-month€C-Ô_ÔBARQÔ_Ô€data€from€a€population€of€guide€dogs€puppy-tested€at€7Ð Ä Ðweeks€of€age€enabled€statistical€comparisons€of€behavior€differences€over€time€in€dogs€that€wereÐ ° Ðeither€retained€or€released€following€puppy-testing.€The€results€indicated€that€released€pupsÐ œì Ðobtained€significantly€worse€scores€for€a€number€of€C-Ô_ÔBARQÔ_Ô€factors,€specifically:Ð ˆØ Ðstranger-directed€aggression,€attachment/attention-seeking€and€energy€at€6€months;€andÐ tÄ Ðstranger-directed€aggression,€dog-directed€aggression/fear,€touch€sensitivity,€excitability,Ð ` ° Ðattachment/attention-seeking,€chasing€and€energy€at€12€months.€Conversely,€released€pupsÐ L!œ Ðobtained€better€scores€for€the€Ô_ÔtrainabilityÔ_Ô€factor€than€retained€pups€at€both€6€and€12€months€ofÐ 8"ˆ  Ðage.€Although€such€findings€might€tend€to€suggest€that€puppy€tests€are€reasonably€good€atÐ $#t! Ðdiscriminating€between€successful€and€unsuccessful€puppies,€the€nature€of€the€behavioralÐ $`" Ðdifferences€between€retained€and€released€pups€indicate€that€these€effects€are€probably€due€toÐ ü$L # Ðenvironmental€differences€between€the€households€rearing€these€two€categories€of€puppies.Ð è%8!$ Ѐ€€€€€€To€test€this€hypothesis,€a€cohort€of€puppies€that€failed€the€7ð!ðweek€puppy€test€will€be€retainedÐ Ô&$"% Ðas€prospective€guide€dogs,€placed€with€puppy-raisers€and€reared€in€the€normal€way,€and€theirÐ À'#& Ðpuppy-raisers€will€be€kept€unaware€of€their€test€results.€C-Ô_ÔBARQÔ_Ô€assessments€of€these€pups€at€6Ð ¬(ü#' Ðand€12€months€will€be€used€to€determine€if€the€failing€pups€are€still€different€in€behavior€whenÐ ˜)è$( Ðreared€in€identical€circumstances€to€those€that€pass€the€test.Ð „*Ô%) ÐÌò òDevelopment€and€testing€of€a€standardized€In„For„Training€(Ô_ÔIFTÔ_Ô)€test.ó óÐ \,¬'+ Ѐ€€€€€Many€assistance€dog€organizations€conduct€temperament€tests€of€their€dogs€when€they€areÐ H-˜(, Ðturned€in€for€final€training.€At€the€moment€there€is€little€or€no€consensus€among€organizationsÐ ° Ðregarding€the€most€effective€and€informative€test€formats.€The€goal€of€this€part€of€the€study€isÐ œì Ðtherefore€to€design€a€standardized€test€to€be€given€1-2€weeks€after€dogs€return€to€their€parentÐ ˆØ Ðorganizations€for€training.€The€aim€of€the€test€is€to€measure€the€dog's€responses€to€a€range€ofÐ tÄ Ðpotentially€distracting,€startling€or€threatening€stimuli,€as€well€as€the€speed€with€which€theyÐ `° Ðrecover€ððnormal'€behavior€following€exposure€to€such€stimuli.€The€test€consists€of€sixÐ L œ Ðcomponents:Ð 8 ˆ ÐÌ1.à  àResponse€to€invasive€physical€examination.Ð  ` Ð2.à  àResponse€to€strange,€looming€object.Ð ü L  Ð3.à  àResponse€to€sudden€loud€noise.Ð è 8  Ð4.à  àResponse€to€fleeing€ððprey'€item.Ð Ô$  Ð5.à  àResponse€to€unfamiliar€dog.Ð À  Ð6.à  àResponse€to€threatening€stranger.Ð ¬ü  ÐÌ€€€€€€A€total€of€69€dogs€have€been€run€through€the€test€procedure,€and€their€responses€have€beenÐ „Ô  Ðrecorded€on€videotape.€These€records€have€been€used€to€develop€a€standardized€method€forÐ pÀ Ðscoring€dogs'€responses€to€the€different€test€components.€Although€the€first€three€components€ofÐ \¬ Ðthe€test€work€well,€the€last€three€have€been€difficult€to€standardize€and€will€require€furtherÐ H˜ Ðmodification€to€reduce€the€variability€in€test€routines.€Once€a€reliable€test€procedure€has€beenÐ 4„ Ðdeveloped,€the€Ô_ÔIFTÔ_Ô€test€will€be€validated€by€implementing€it€at€2€or€more€organizations,€and€thenÐ  p Ðcomparing€dogs'€test€scores€with€appropriate€components€of€their€C-Ô_ÔBARQÔ_Ô€and€final€trainingÐ  \ Ðoutcomes.Ð øH ÐÌò òDevelopment€and€testing€of€a€Mid„training€Assessment€Questionnaireó óÐ Ð  Ѐ€€€€€€€Most€assistance€dog€organizations€perform€some€sort€of€post-€or€mid-training€assessment€onÐ ¼  Ðtheir€dogs.€These€assessments€tend€to€be€subjective€and€relatively€global,€expressing€an€overallÐ ¨ø Ðlikelihood€that€a€particular€dog€will€or€will€not€become€a€successful€guide€or€service€animal.€As€aÐ ”ä Ðresult,€detailed€information€regarding€each€dog's€individual€behavioral€strengths€and€weaknessesÐ €Ð Ðmay€be€lost.Ð l¼ Ѐ€€€€€€The€goal€of€this€aspect€of€the€study€is€to€develop€a€relatively€simple€itemized€questionnaireÐ X ¨ Ðthat€can€be€used€by€trainers€and€instructors€to€quantify€assistance€dog€performance€during€theÐ D!” Ðtraining€period.€With€this€aim€in€mind,€the€five€participating€organizations€were€canvassed€for€theÐ 0"€  Ð20€most€common€behavioral/temperament€reasons€why€dogs€failed€their€training€programs.€ThisÐ #l! Ðinformation€was€then€used€to€generate€a€28-item€checklist€that€incorporates€all€of€these€commonÐ $X" Ðbehavioral€reasons€for€rejection:Ð ô$D # ÐÌBEHAVIORÐ Ì&"% ÐÌ1€€€Lacks€confidenceÐ ¤(ô#' Ð2€€€Loses€focus€under€pressureÐ )à$( Ð3€€€€Fear€of€strangersÐ |*Ì%) Ð4€€€€Fear€of€unfamiliar€dogsÐ h+¸&* Ð5€€€€Fear€of€trafficÐ T,¤'+ Ð6€€€€Fear€of€stairsÐ @-(, Ð7€€€€Fear€of€various€walking€surfaces€(slippery€floors,€gratings,€etc)Ð ° Ð8€€€€Noise€sensitivityÐ œì Ð9€€€€Body€sensitivity;€fearful€and/or€aggressive€when€groomed,€toweled,€having€nails€clipped,€orÐ ˆØ Ðbeing€examined€by€vetÐ tÄ Ð10€€€Sensitivity€to€correctionÐ `° Ð11€€€€Submissive/emotional€urinationÐ L œ Ð12€€€€Inability€to€settle€in€kennelÐ 8 ˆ Ð13€€€€Separation€anxietyÐ $ t Ð14€€€€Attachment;€over-solicitousÐ  ` Ð15€€€€Aggression€towards€strangersÐ ü L  Ð16€€€€Aggression€towards€dogsÐ è 8  Ð17€€€€Protective€of€spaceÐ Ô$  Ð18€€€€Aggression€when€challenged,€corrected€or€food/objects€taken€awayÐ À  Ð19€€€€ExcitableÐ ¬ü  Ð20€€€€High€energyÐ ˜è  Ð21€€€€Distraction€-€dogsÐ „Ô  Ð22€€€€Distraction€-€otherÐ pÀ Ð23€€€€Scavenging/Ô_ÔcoprophagiaÔ_ÔÐ \¬ Ð24€€€€Response€inconsistencyÐ H˜ Ð25€€€€Lacks€initiativeÐ 4„ Ð26€€€€Inappropriate€eliminationÐ  p Ð27€€€€Pulling€on€leashÐ  \ Ð28€€€€BarkingÐ øH ÐÌ€€€€€€€€The€next€step€will€be€to€convert€this€checklist€into€a€series€of€rating€scales€with€clearlyÐ Ð  Ðdefined€parameters€that€can€be€employed€midway€through€the€training€period€in€all€fiveÐ ¼  Ðorganizations.€Eventually€it€will€also€be€possible€to€validate€the€instrument€using€C-Ô_ÔBARQÔ_Ô€andÐ ¨ø ÐÔ_ÔIFTÔ_Ô€data,€and€final€field€service€outcomes.Ð ”ä ÐÌò òThe€futureó óÐ l¼ Ѐ€€€€€€We€are€on€schedule€to€complete€all€of€the€primary€goals€of€this€project€within€the€next€twoÐ X ¨ Ðyears.€Assuming€we€are€successful€in€this€effort,€the€outcome€should€be€a€reliable€package€ofÐ D!” Ðstandardized€measures€of€canine€behavior€and€performance€that€could€be€implemented€andÐ 0"€  Ðemployed€by€any€assistance€dog€organization€in€the€world.€With€such€measures€in€place,€the€goalÐ #l! Ðof€producing€the€ideal€assistance€dog€may€at€last€become€attainable.Ð $X" ÐÌ*€€€òò€This€report€was€prepared€at€Ô_ÔIAADPÔ_Ôððs€request€by€James€Ô_ÔSerpellÔ_Ô,€Ph.D.€€We€distributed€thisÐ à%0!$ Ðreport€as€a€handout€at€Ô_ÔIAADPÔ_Ôððs€Conference€and€we€are€sharing€it€through€Partners€Forum€withÐ Ì&"% Ðour€members€who€could€not€attend.€€€Please€note€that€it€is€copyrighted€by€Dr.€Ô_ÔSerpellÔ_Ô€and€it€mayÐ ¸'#& Ðnot€be€reprinted€or€reproduced€by€any€means€for€further€distribution€without€the€express€writtenÐ ¤(ô#' Ðpermission€from€its€author.€€Thank€you€for€respecting€this€notice.óóÐ )à$( ÐÌÔ_ÔÔ_ÔÔ_ÔÔ_ÔÌÌÐ @-(, ÐNEW€RETURN€ADDRESS€FOR€THE€NEWSLETTER€Ð ° ÐÌTanya€Ô_ÔEversoleÔ_ÔÐ ˆØ ÐPO€Box€531086Ð tÄ ÐCincinnati,€OH€45253Ð `° ÐÌÌÌÌÌ