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Dogs that are selected for the
Eagles' Wings service dog program are removed from the Lycoming
County SPCA and brought into private homes. As many of these dogs have not
ever been in a home setting they must learn house manners along with obedience
skills. As training progresses our dogs continue to learn, perfect, and expand
the skills that are needed in the environment in which they will
be expected to work. |
Our dogs do not
usually come from the best of backgrounds. We begin
teaching our dogs with positive reinforcement using food, verbal
and physical praise, toys, and playtime. As training
progresses and our dogs become adept at learning we continue training
using a combination of positive reinforcement using verbal and
physical praise and playtime as rewards, and negative
consequences for inappropriate behavior - usually a verbal
reprimand. The purpose of this training is to build confidence and
problem solving within our dogs, and to ensure behaviors that
will make this dog become a reliable, happy, and productive
partner.
Approximately 3/4 of the way through the dog's training, the trainers make
the placement decision for each applicant.
Matches are made
based on needs, abilities, and personality and lifestyle types.
Once a placement decision is made the dog is then
custom trained to meet the specific needs of their upcoming
partner.
These are a few of the skills which service dogs can be trained to perform:
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Retrieval - dogs retrieve
items that may be dropped, can get the telephone, retrieve items from the fridge
or washer/dryer, and
take items from shelves.
-
Dragging
- dogs can drag items
such as a manual wheelchair to a person or the laundry basket to the laundry
room.
-
Clothing -
dogs can assist with putting on and taking off some clothing
such as jackets, socks, shoes, etc.
-
Paying Cashiers - dogs assist by taking purchases and wallets up to
the level of the person behind counters.
-
Opening doors - dogs can open household doors and store doors using
adaptive equipment.
-
Light switches - lights can be turned on and off.
-
Help - dogs can be trained to locate another person for help within
the same house.
-
Assistance walking - dogs act as a cane or walker, assisting with
walking by providing balance and momentum.
-
Stairs - dogs assist with negotiating stairs by providing stability
and security.
-
Bracing - dogs can assist and individual in getting up off the floor
or out of a chair.
-
Helping someone in a manual wheelchair "pop" a curb.
Once the dog and applicant have been
matched, and the dog's training is complete the applicant then enters team training. This
three week program is designed to teach the student and dog
to work as a team and to teach the student the
essentials of dog care and service dog etiquette in addition to
the legalities involved with service dog ownership.
Students from out of the area are required to spend the three
weeks in a local hotel at their expense. The typical training
day includes lectures, obedience classes and field trips into
local shopping areas, museums, towns, etc. and usually runs
from 10:00am-3:00pm. Training is held on weekends. Team training
is culminated with a certification
evaluation and a graduation ceremony. An extensive follow-up
program will continue to monitor and
evaluate a team's
abilities and needs throughout the entire working relationship.
For more information on Home Companion Dogs,
or If you have a disability and you
believe an Eagles' Wings Service Dog could assist you, please contact us at:
Eagles' Wings Service Dogs, Inc.
121 Dogwood Lane
Williamsport, PA 17701
570-433-0965
Or email
us at
eagleswings@eagleswingsservicedogs.org
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