Getting Skipper

Hey y’all, it’s been a while since I posted a blog! (I’m sorry about that, life can be busy.) November was a really exciting month for me! If you follow me on instagram, I’m sure you know - that’s when I got my new service dog, Skipper. He is as wonderful as my first one, Hartmann. Skipper is also from Canine Companions, an organization that gives expertly trained service dogs to people with disabilities (including veterans). Our closest training center is in Columbus, Ohio.

There’s a long application process to qualify. First, I completed a bunch of paperwork about myself, then I participated in interviews by phone, and then in person. (I had the feeling that the in-person interview was the most important part of the process.) After all of these, the trainers decided if I was a good fit for this program. Finally, I got an email about acceptance. Obviously, I was accepted- hahaha. In August, I found that I was going to be in the October - November class, and I was beyond excited!! 

On Sunday, October 27th, my parents, and I headed to Canine Companions in Columbus Ohio. This time we got to stay in the dorms at the training center, whereas last time I got a dog, we had to stay in a hotel. The dorm rooms at the training center were huge, which was helpful for moving around in my wheelchair but they  are pretty basic. There was a handicapped equipped bathroom, a couple of beds, a nightstand, a chair, a desk and a tv. The common area had a fully equipped kitchen with tables and chairs.

When we arrived, I met some of the other recipients. That night, we had a meeting where everyone introduced themselves. It was fun to find out where everyone was from.

I liked this set-up so much more than staying in a hotel! I felt like we all got to know each other, so it was easy to all hang out! A couple times, we even had a bonfire on the campus patio. We had a blast just talking and listening to music!

Class started the 28th. There were a lot of lectures about dog care and training lessons throughout the entire process. Clearly there was a lot to learn. However, my favorite part of the day was always actually working with the dogs. 

For the first two days, we each worked with several dogs. I worked with Dill, (who loved to lick my wheelchair -hahaha). Dill (male) was a Black Lab, Zinger (male) was a Yellow and Golden Retriever mix, Scottie (male) was a Yellow and Golden Retriever mix, and finally Skipper (male) was also a Yellow and Gold Retriever mix. 

The first time I met Skipper I immediately felt a bond between us! I’ll never forget how he gave me his paw, I felt like that was his way of choosing me, and it was so cute!

The third day was Match Day! The students (and future dog owners) sat in a circle. Then, one by one, the instructors announced the pairs- a person and a dog. I was so nervous! I really wanted Skipper, so imagine my excitement when they matched us. I screamed, “YAY!!”and Skipper wagged his tail. I think we were both happy!

 The rest of training was filled with more practice and learning (for both the owners and the dogs). The days were very organized; we worked at the Center and we went on field trips to practice taking the dogs out in public.

Every morning, we would gather in the big training room to start our day. When practicing, the students were usually in two groups. The reason we were in two groups is because one group simply had their service dog, and in the other group, we worked with our service dog and with a facilitator. This means that there are two leashes per dog in the second group, so someone can help the recipient (the person who is receiving the dog). I was in that group.

Importantly, we spent time practicing cues -these are pretty much basic communication skills. A cue is a word said to get the dog to perform a task, such as ‘sit’, ‘down’, or ‘stay’. There are around fifty cues that the dogs learn. Each day, we would all learn and practice cues that we would use the most. After the basic cues, we also practiced combined ones, such as ‘get’ then ‘hold’ then ‘give’, ‘tug’ then ‘drop’.  Each team would take turns performing and perfecting them. It was fun to see the owners and their dogs doing so well.

My mom and dad would take turns being the facilitator. They would stand behind me and repeat the command after I said it. This is to make sure that Skipper heard and fully understood the cues. Now, he’s pretty good at responding to just my voice.

Sometimes the whole class would work together. The instructors would have us go outside, get into a line, and practice all the tasks. Being able to go outside with my new service dog on a beautiful October day was a nice change of scenery and a good break from the routine. 

We also had a couple of  one-on-ones with an instructor. She worked with us on some specific cues we really wanted to perfect! I appreciated her effort and encouragement! I felt like by the end of training, we had the tools we needed to succeed!

In class, we had two competitions! Musical Beds and an Obstacle Course. Musical Beds was basically like Musical Chairs, but with dog beds. There were beds in a circle, there was music playing, and every time the music stopped, we would have to command our dog to ‘bed’. Each round they would take a bed away, the last dog (with a bed) was the winner.

The Obstacle Course was all the different cues that we learned, such as, jump, get, tug, push, and shake. This was a timed event. Each team chose a theme song (I chose ‘There’s Nothing Holding Me Back’, by Shawn Mendes) 

Even though we didn’t win, I'm very proud of our team.

Like I mentioned earlier, we went on field trips. Our group went to places like Home Depot, and a mall. During these field trips, we would do the tasks we learned in class. 

We also added a couple other basic challenges such as ‘food on the floor’- the dog isn’t supposed to eat food off the floor. One of the other challenges was someone stepping over the dog to see how he/she would react- they were supposed to stay in place.

I felt like the stakes were higher because we were practicing where other people could see, but we did our best.

Before graduation, there was an important public access test. Each team needs to pass this in order to take your dog out in public. It consisted of all the cues we learned while dealing with the distractions of a public place. My Parents and I were a little nervous, but thankfully, all the teams passed- YAY!!

The day of graduation was amazing! First, everyone met their dog’s ‘puppy raiser’. Skipper had two ‘puppy raisers’, Vicki and Stacie. They were both so nice and have raised many other service dogs for Canine Companions. While we were having lunch with the puppy raisers, they told us that Skipper is a special puppy because he was ‘Donor named’. The donor has to raise a certain amount of money and contribute it to Canine Companions in order to name a dog. Skipper was named after a skipper in the Coast Guard who passed away. He loved dogs and his mom wanted to honor him, so she raised the money to name a Canine Companions dog in his honor. I got to meet her at lunch; she-and her love for her son- were very touching.

When it was time for the Graduation Ceremony, everyone gathered in the training room. There were rows of chairs set up for all who were attending (and it was live streamed).

After the Director talked all about the general program, Canine Companions employees talked about how special this Columbus Program is. I totally agree! Hartmann, (my first service dog) and now Skipper have changed my life. 

A great part of graduation was seeing all of the new dogs just beginning their professional training.  All of their puppy pictures were so cute, and it was easy to imagine their wonderful future. I wish them all the best on their journey to becoming service dogs.

Finally, it was the moment I was waiting for, the Leash Hand-Over. This is when the puppy raisers and the recipients are in the front and the puppy raiser passes the leash to the recipient. This meant that skipper was officially mine.

After graduation, my parents and I talked to a few people. (Some people from the Pittsburgh puppy raiser chapter were there, so, of course, we talked to them.) We also said goodbye to our fellow classmates and the instructors. 

It was finally time to go home! After two weeks, I was ready to sleep in my own bed. The moment we got there, Skipper started exploring his new home! It was so adorable to see him sniff his way through the house.

Now, Skipper and I are best buds! We love to hang out together. I love to snuggle with him on my bed! It's amazing how he understands my speech when I tell him to do something. My favorite part of our relationship is how excited Skipper gets when I come home from being out. He runs to me and stands on the footplates of my wheelchair wagging his tail. It makes me feel like he knows I’m his person.

Skipper, I love you so much, and I’m looking forward to many more adventures with you!