Service Dog Allows Man to Live on his Own

"Titus' main job is to open and close doors, pick up objects that Rea drops — such as a computer mouse or phone — and other tasks, as well as provide companionship. At the office, Titus sits on a dog bed under the desk and can react to Rea's commands so Rea's co-workers don't have to be interrupted.

“It's a disruption. It puts me in an awkward position. I have to ask people to do a lot of things for me,” Rea said." Read more about Titus and Eric http://www.enterprisenewspapers.com/article/20090909/ETP03/709099843&template=ETPZoneEDart.

Shiloh Comes Through When it Really Counts!

(Originally published on Service Dogs: A Way of Life) This morning I woke up with severe pain in my neck and right shoulder(again). At first I wasn't even sure I could get out out of bed, but with a little persistence I managed to make it out of bed. As I tried to transfer into my chair my shoulder gave way and I ended up on the floor! I tried a few times to get up, but quickly realized my right shoulder was not going to weight bare at all, so even using Shiloh to brace a bit was out.I tried Plan B yell, for my roommate Leslie, no dice, since she sleeps like the dead.
Time for plan C, get Shiloh to roust my still sleeping roommate from her bed. My roommates and I have been working on getting Shiloh to find them by name and Shiloh loves my roommate's room, so time to put it to the test. I asked Shiloh "Where's Leslie? Go Get Leslie!" She went to my roommate's door and found it closed ( I could see her and the door from where I was on the floor), so I cue her to touch the door with her paw again and again. She would come back every few times, and I would send her back again. After, a few minutes Shiloh finally succeeded in waking my roommate's Guide Dog, Cammy, who I heard come over to the door and sniff. Shiloh continued to paw the door, while Cammy (deciding that it was time to be up) went over and stuck her nose in Leslie's face, finally waking her! She then heard Shiloh pawing away at the door. Disoriented, and still half asleep, I see her come out of the room saying "What the hell?!" Now I tell her I need help I can't get off the floor! She being the wonderful friend and good roommate comes in immediately to fish me off the floor.
Even if my roommate had not been there and I would have had to wait for someone to come help me, or until I felt it might be safe to attempt to get myself of the the floor having Shiloh there, knowing the that I was not alone she could get the phone and show the people who came to my calls where I was kept me from slipping in to that fear that I could be here on the floor until God knows when! Not falling into that fear left me able to more logically process the situation and stay calm. Shiloh is my constant companion and between the two of us we can figure out a lot of really difficult predicaments! Even it the best thing to do is wait, I am not so vulnerable with Shiloh around she will patiently wait with me.

Celebrating One year as a Team

I want to thank everyone who works, volunteers, and/donates to Summit Assistance Dogs for making this last year possible for Shiloh and me!
In this last year, I have gone from being unexpectedly laid off and a person whose world had drastically shrunk following the retirement of my first service dog and an increase in disabling pain to a person one again working near full time and traveling again.I especially want to thank Sue Meinzinger, who loved and trained Shiloh for nearly a year. She was a hard one for you to let go, I know.
It has been a long, hard journey and I invite everyone to follow all of our adventures here http://servicedogsawayoflife.blogspot.com/2009/10/anniversary-celebrating-one-year-as.html.

Come Meet Summit Dogs, Trainers, Stff and Volunteers

• Dog Days of Summer Festival
  Lake Padden Park, Bellingham, WA
  September 6
  10 a.m. - 3 p.m.
  Summit will have a booth.
  
  
• Harbor Hounds
  Gig Harbor, WA
  September 26
  Summit will have a booth.

Meet Jaskson and Taysen

Taysen, his mom, and Jackson a Summit Assistance Dog, have a busy life together. You can follow their adventures at The Story of Taysen. Jackson is a big love of a Chocolate Lab with a a calm, gentle personality; though he is always ready for an adventure with his boy.

Titus and Eric Featured on Q13

Seattle Service Dog Changes Paralyzed Man's Life

Eric Rea of Edmonds says he was brought out of depression and is leading a more fulfilling life thanks to his assistance dog Titus. Watch Video

Wendy and Dixie Visit Eugene

Dixie is a member of Summit's D Litter. She was born along with her two brothers last October while Shiloh and I were Team Training. Wendy brought Dixie and her 11 yr old collie mix, Chaihuly, with her to do a follow visit with Shiloh and me. Shiloh has been partnered with me for six months now, though in the grand scheme of both of our lives that is a very short time period. Each day we grow and gel as a team. We were happy to welcome Wendy, Dixie and Chaihuly to our home turf to show them how we are doing and share some of our favorite activities. Dixie and Chaihuly got to experience Eugene's wonderful dog parks. Shiloh and I also took Dixie to her first ever open air Farmer's Market. The farmer's market is a wonder of sights, sounds, smells, people, and temptations for a mere seven month old pup like Dixie. Dixie had a mind (mostly) only for Wendy and the treats she new she had. Like any smart, curious pup Dixie found it hard to be good wanting to investigate all these new people and things. Knowing this Wendy carefully balanced letting her investigate some of the odd things like the wind chimes made from silverware and asking for calm, controlled behavior. Having raised and trained my own first service dog, I know an environment like this is demanding for both pup and handler. After about twenty minutes it the outing was declared a success and we took Dixie home. It is very important when working a young pup like this to keep new outing fun and interesting while taking care not to overwhelm the pup. When Dixie started showing sign that she was mentally tired by yawning and having difficulty focusing it was time to go. Working a dog whether pup or adult past what they can handle serves only to show the dog working is not fun. Since service dog work is very demanding it is paramount that the dog want to do it and early experiences be as positive and fun as possible.
This day was also the first time Dixie had walked next to a wheelchair. Having Shiloh to model after and cookies to earn (Wendy pushed my wheelchair while we walked to the market.) Dixie fell into a very nice heel easily. Though once she wasn't paying attention and got her toes clipped. It did not stop her from trying everything she could to get the elusive cookie from me. Every dog who works with chairs gets their toes clipped once, because they are not used to this metal fortress being around a person and are trying to get closer or they simply weren't paying attention. This is why wheelchair dogs are also introduced to manual chairs first and power chairs second. Getting clipped by a manual chair only startles, but allows the dogs to learn the best space to walk and why they can't crowd a chair. I was happy to see Dixie doing so well. She is bright, happy, willing and sweet. I hope she will make a great service dog one day, maybe for someone who uses a wheelchair. Come visit us again sometime!

Meet Shiloh and Melissa 2008 Graduates

My name is Melissa Mitchell. I went to Summit when my first service dog, Bastien, was ready to retire. I had taken on the monumental task and risk of raising and training my first service dog myself. In the near decade of our partnership I experienced many changes in how my disability, cerebral palsy, affected me. Yes, I know they say it doesn't get worse, technically, I suppose that's true. The brain damage doesn't get worse, but the body wears out in surprising ways that, for me, lead to increased physical limitations. I went to Summit because I knew I needed to retire my first dog and I just did not have the energy and emotional stamina to both retire my boy and raise and train a new service dog for myself. I knew I would most likely fail and I needed the assistance I knew a carefully chosen, well trained service dog would provide. I chose Summit for many reasons, not the least of which was their use of rescued dogs whenever possible. Summit also put a lot of time an effort into getting to know me and my life in order to find the dog I needed and who needed me.(you can read about my life with Shiloh on my blog) Shiloh and I have been together for nearly five months and each day we learn, grow, and live together. While life with a service dog is not the right choice for everyone, I know in my heart I have made the right choice for myself and Shiloh. Shiloh is an exceedingly bright, sweet girl who has blossomed from the shy, unsure young dog she once was into a wonderful partner who will only continue to become an indispensable part of my life.