Day 1-Wednesday
*We met all of the trainers and the other campers
-Alyssa is the only camper from out of state and the only one getting a seizure assistance dog. She is also the oldest of the three of them. The other two children are so cute. Jack is 6 years old and is paralyzed from the chest down. He is such a cutie and makes wheeling around in a wheel chair look easy. Haley is 7 years old and has cerebral palsy. She has such a cute, spunky personality and doesn't let her disabilities slow her down. Jack and Haley are getting mobility assistance dogs. Jack's dad, Kirk, and Haley's mom, Jenny, are both so nice and we are having a good time watching our kids take on this new adventure!
-Michelle is the CEO/Founder of Dometi-PUPS. Becca is the director of the service dog program. She actually has Epilepsy as well and has her own seizure assistance dog named George. Merrie is the service dog program director. Anne is the Edu-PUPS Coordinator. There are many other volunteers that are involved as well, but these are the people that we will be spending the most time with.
*The kids got a picture of and learned the name of their dog. They were so excited! Alyssa's dog is named Astro. He is a British Creme Golden Retriever. He is beautiful and so sweet. I think that he and Alyssa are going to be best friends before we know it. Jack's dog is Kenzi. She is a golden retriever. Haley's dog is Rasco and he is black lab. All of these dogs are so sweet! I am amazed at how good these dogs are!
Day 2-Thursday
*This was the first full day of training. We started at 8:30 and ended at about 8:30 that night. It was a long day! We were actually meeting the dogs in person but not until 3:15 in the afternoon. It was a very long wait and the kids could hardly stand the suspense! We had some lectures on how the dogs were trained and the kids spent some time with Becca's dog, George, learning a few commands. When the time finally came to meet the dogs the kids were so ready. They brought each dog out one by one and the kids got to spend time getting acquainted. It was love at first sight for Alyssa. And I truly believe that Astro is going to be the perfect dog for her. He is very sensitive and sweet. The trainers told us that he will take a little time to warm up to Alyssa, but once he does, he will be attached to her forever. He is very loyal. We just have to be patient as the bonding takes place over the next few days.
*After spending some time with the dogs, we all went over to a store similar to Color Me Mine where the kids got to paint there own dog dish. Alyssa loved this! She loves places like this and loved painting her own bowl for Astro.
*After dinner, we had to say goodbye to the dogs for the night. Alyssa was very sad to say goodbye to Astro, but this would be the last time they would be separated.
Day 3-Friday
*More training today and Alyssa couldn't wait to get back to the training facility so that she could see Astro again! We learned how to put on the dogs' leash and harness and learned more commands. They also took pictures of the kids with their dogs for their ID tags.
*Today consisted of more training by lecture and by hands on work with the dogs. They warned us that it would take some time for the dogs to realize that the kids were now the ones in charge. They don't know the kids and they haven't been handled by kids before so it takes some time for everyone involved to adjust.
*After lunch the real fun began! The leashing process took place. From this point on for the next 3-4 weeks, the kids are leashed to their dogs. This means that the dogs go everywhere with them. Even the bathroom. The kids have to do everything for their dog. Alyssa is in charge of feeding, grooming, playing, pottying the dog (and cleaning up after the dog). I am not even allowed to pet or talk to Astro because Astro has to learn that Alyssa in now the center of his universe. This bonding process is essential to a successful partnership. I never realized how hard this would be for the trainers. They know and love these dogs and in order for the leashing process to be successful, they no longer acknowledge the dogs. They don't speak to them, look them in the eye, or touch the leashes. The dogs are also confused because they don't know who is taking care of them, so it will take a few days for this transfer of affection takes place.
*Later this afternoon we had a break back at the hotel and we were alone with Astro for the first time. Alyssa amazed me! She took complete ownership of Astro. She wouldn't even let me help her put his harness on and even though she was very discouraged because it took so long for her to get Astro to cooperate, she never gave up. She even cleaned up after he used the potty without complaining! She is taking the leashing process very seriously and it is hard and strange for me to not jump in and help her when she is struggling. This is a learning process for all of us! She is doing very well and I am so proud of how she is handling the stress and challenge of this process.
*Tonight Astro spends his first night with us in the hotel room. We are just going to watch and see how he responds to her seizures and then we will start to work on the specifics tomorrow. He and Alyssa have just been snuggling and chilling all evening.
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