(April 2018 Archive) Dogs on campus are not here to eat homework – the mountain observer

By Michele Walski | Assistant

Do you have a dog classmate? It may seem surprising, but according to Amy Labarge, a disability coordinator, there are three official dogs registered with students through this semester. If you happen to share the desk space with the best friend of the person, remember that this is not a pet show.

As usual in schools, there are rules. Only service dogs are allowed on the campus, according to Jason Greens, Dean of Students. Therapeutic dogs (and animals for emotional support) are not allowed. It may be confusing to say the difference between the two types of certified dogs.

Service Dog Luna is a superhero. When the Black Lab Mix does not make the vest, it must be alert to perform tasks for Elizabeth Gilbert, senior high school with double inclusion. Gilbert carries a knee bracket for muscle/nerve problems and has anxiety in the crowd.

Outside of duty, Luna is a soft pet of Gilbert, who loves squeaky toys and walks on tracks. And its beginning is even more soaked. Li Li Gilbert knew that saving the moon in a shelter would lead to the saving of the moon five years ago.

Gilbert stationed his knee cap while she was alone last summer and couldn’t. From despair, she called the moon for help. To her astonishment, the dog is lined for Gilbert’s grip. When her knee would not heal and revealed a state of mobility, she knew that Luna had a person to become an official dog.

“The training was not difficult. We watched videos on YouTube and Handler, “Gilbert said. “Through the experience and mistakes, treated and gain for play time, we shaped what works best for us.”

The moon provides stability of the balance and feels the forthcoming panic attacks of Gilbert, whether by chemical release or Gilbert’s tendency to freeze in congested areas. “She will guide me through crowds and lead me through exits.”

Gilbert said the attacks happen more often because of the “blocking” technique of the moon – a preventive move of the dog physically standing between the leader and the trigger of anxiety.

But the moon is not perfect. She is still refining her new profession.

“The moon still has small mistakes because they are not robots,” Gilbert said. “She was a pet first, so she could still smell. She is curious, but not enough to break her stay. “

Gilbert began hours in the fall of 2017 because her high school had both physical and emotional barriers. She gets mixed reactions when people see her with a service dog. The majority exclaims, “Dog!”, “Oh, how sweet!” And “Can I tolish it?”

“I’m sorry,” Gilbert said. The duty dogs on duty should never be touched or distracted. Sometimes people will try to talk directly to the moon. When Gilbert decreases, saying that this will divert the dog’s attention from the needs of the manager, most people understand. But she also received several aggressive answers, reaching the threat from Gilbert or Luna. Sometimes people get angry and set assessing Gilbert for having a business dog.

“Don’t put someone with a service dog just because you can’t see a disability,” Gilbert advised. “They are not there for everyone else. They are there to focus on their manager and do their job. “

She also stressed that she wanted permission before shooting and never let your children run out of an official animal.

“Treat both the manager and the official dog with respect,” Gilbert said.

Even if the therapy and emotional support dogs are not allowed on the campus, they still have merit. The emotional support of animals comforts one person while the therapy dog ​​serves a community, such as hospitals, nursing homes or special reading programs.

Oscar, nine -year -old Grand Pyreney is a certified dog for therapy, but he did not start this way. The tall white dog, resembling a shepherd’s silk cousin, was rescued five years by student Michael Young and his wife. Oscar’s comforting skills were discovered by accident two years ago when he destroyed the screen as he exploded from the house to search for his owners. Therefore, anxiety about the separation, Young, an interconnected pastor and advisor, began to lead him to work at the Montachusett veterans propaganda.

“The presence of Oscar kept the veterans calm,” Young said. “He will wander around so that the office will give him a job.”

When Oscar found his calling, he is not yet certified. Young asked on the phone and was told that an Oscar would not pass due to a damage that prevents him from sitting.

“His temperament and presence, especially around anxious and traumatized clients, showed that he would do an excellent job, so we registered him online and bought him a vest,” Young said. “Therapeutic dogs are good listeners and he likes to apply. He loves hugs. The children used it as a pillow. ”

Oscar also played a receptionist, warning Young when he entered a client.

Whatever role the working dogs provide, they prove to be essential satellites. And how lucky they are without having to fill in the W-2.