just watched it - good piece. The dogs go to a centre daily to be trained - is that right? Are you involved in the training process? How do you match dog to person. Do some dogs not 'take to' some people and vice versa? Like dogs but never owned one - it probably sounds daft but what puts me off having a dog is that the dog may reject me!
Yes, the dog goes to training every day during the week. We do the ‘school run’ before and after work. We’re not involved in the training but we reinforce things at home (like sitting at doors, stopping at kerbs etc.) There’s lots of things that need to be factored in when matching. Walking pace is a really big one, who else is living in the house (other pets or children for example), the daily routine of the blind person (some dogs might not like trains and so wouldn’t go to someone who regularly uses one, Iris, who you saw, loves to be busy so she went to Lindsey who is extremely active, some dogs might not want to work as much so they’d go to someone who has a more calmer lifestyle with a set routine), the owner might have allergies so would be matched to a Labradoodle and some have breed or colour preferences (some don’t want black dogs as they can be harder to see if the person’s visual impairment is affected by lighting levels). Dogs love people and pleasing them. The only reason they would reject you would be if they could sense aggression coming from you.
This thread proves to me, if it needed proving, what outstanding individuals you and your partner are JamDrop.
Dogs are the greatest. I spend 3 days a week with a cavapoo, a cockerpoo, (the boss) and a border terrier. They are all registered therapy dogs, so go into care homes, young offenders homes and places with people with special needs. They build bridges that we can't start to build. Maybe set Jess, the cockerpoo to be project manager on Nudger's Bridge...
The very adorable, extremely intelligent and super fun Betsy officially qualified today! It’s her birthday on Monday so she just managed it whilst still only one, too! Her trainer sent us these pictures and let us know earlier. She looks so serious and grown up!
You and your husband do a wonderful job. As I'm typing this, our dog is sat on my foot and breaking wind!
Aww, absolutely stunning photo, SD. The tree decorator may not particularly feel the need for lights on their tree, depending on their level of sight loss.
What an absolute beautiful girl. Our Autstic great niece Emmy, had a black lab as her support dog, I have no idea what the dog did, but the difference she made was incredible. She (the dog) passed away last year and will be sorely missed. Our Emmy now has a yellow lab as her support dog, these dogs are vital for their owners to live as complete a life as possible. What you do Jam Drop is wonderful and I bet you feel proud when you see your former dogs succeed in there training. Well done.
They’re just amazing, aren’t they? I feel very proud of her, she’s an absolutely wonderful dog and I love her to bits.
Just a quick one! Oz, a very tall black Labrador came to stay with us last weekend. He was a bit of a live wire at times but I’m putting that down to his age as he had only turned one a few weeks ago and not long since left his puppy raisers. He did have some sleepy parts for a few hours at a time too and slept well at night thankfully. If anyone who lives near Sheffield Business Park wants to join in the fun, Guide Dogs have just opened their new centre there and need fosterers. https://www.facebook.com/1000899473...KaMPciYWurqHSkEwGerYjqLUXZVLrYQpG69l/?app=fbl
We only had him for the weekend, unfortunately. It was strongly hinted that we might be asked to look after him again though to give his usual fosterers a break
I'm lost for superlatives now for you and your husband, JamDrop. Whenever I feel down with the attitude & actions from fellow human beings, along you come to show just how wonderful people can be. Thank you. Kev