It's a dog's life on the job
Where Humans Learn More Tricks!
It's a dog's life on the job
Categories: Woof!, 498 wordsSend feedback •(NC)—My name is Proue and I am a service dog. I’d like to share with you what a day looks like for me as partner to Caroline, my owner and best friend.
Our day starts with a warm cuddle and a scratch of the ears. We head to the kitchen to fortify ourselves for the walk to work. Because Caroline relies on me to be highly alert all day, she trusts only the best premium nutrition to get us both through the day. Today I enjoy my Lamb and Rice Eukanuba, while Caroline eats whole wheat toast with strawberry jam.
After our breakfast we head outside. On the way to work, several challenges arise for Caroline. The first obstacle is an uphill sidewalk which requires my muscles to pull her and her wheelchair to the top of the hill. Caroline is then able to manage by herself and I proudly walk next to her.
While entering the office, Caroline drops her wallet, scattering several coins to the ground which roll away from her wheelchair. Caroline gently asks me to retrieve each item and I place them in her hands. I receive a warm hug which makes me happy.
During the day, I sit next to Caroline while she works. Occasionally we get up and I guide her to the washroom. I stand behind her chair and give it a gentle nudge up the ramp and through the door. We attend meetings with numerous co-workers and clients. I take a seat next to Caroline and quietly watch the other people talk and laugh. Caroline drops her pen and it rolls under the table. She gives me the command to retrieve so I fetch the pen and bring it back – Caroline is so thankful that she rewards me with my favourite treat – a Eukanuba Healthy Extras biscuit.
After work, Caroline and I make our way home. During our stroll, Caroline’s arm-strength weakens and I am given the command to help. I happily pull the wheelchair the rest of the way home.
The walk has made us thirsty. I open the refrigerator door and retrieve a plastic bottle of water for Caroline, and look down at my water bowl, noticing it’s empty. I retrieve my bowl and give it to Caroline who understands my needs and fills my bowl with water. I would like another treat, but it’s almost dinner time, when I will enjoy another Eukanuba meal complete with DentaDefense – which helps to reduce tartar build-up.
It is now time for a well-deserved rest for us both. I use my body to support Caroline while she transfers from her wheelchair to the couch. While we snooze, the telephone rings. I now know by training that I can help by bringing over the phone. Once again, I am thanked by Caroline as we cuddle and drift back into our much-needed nap – it’s been a long, but enjoyable, day and I’m excited to see what tomorrow brings.
Source: www.newscanada.com
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Paws ‘n’ Claws Photo Guide – Trick #12 “Extra hands make light work.”
Categories: Meow!, 369 wordsSend feedback •Hey, it’s Eddie the Dalmatian smiling at you from your e-mail inbox with another trick you can learn to start taking better pet photos, today!
I’ve got Magnum the Cat here with me and together we’re going to teach you our next to last trick. Isn’t that right, Magnum?
“You are correct, my silly spotted friend.”
So, Magnum, I’ve got to say having you assist me the past few days has been a lot of fun, and it really made this job a whole lot easier for me. I’m not normally very good with strangers, but with you here with me it’s helped a lot.
“No doubt it’s lightened your load.”
Exactly, which brings me to today’s trick. When taking your pet’s photo, try to have someone there with you. The extra Human can help you in many ways doing everything from holding your camera while you brush your pet, or feed your pet treats while you check your camera settings, to just being there to calm us down while you stress out about your next shot.
“Eddie knows what he’s talking about. Sometimes I need to see someone else nearby to distract me from the Human with the camera. I’ve also noticed that the extra Human can also run errands for the Human with the camera and it all seems to work.”
So today’s trick is simple. A little help can go a long way in getting that great photo of your pet.
Our last trick will be sitting in your inbox in a few days, which will give you some time to practice today’s trick.
By the way, how are you doing with these tricks? I hope you are finding them easy and are able to master them quickly. Write me at eddie@frameyourpets.com to let me know.
You can also write to Yogi or Magnum as well.
And don’t forget to visit my blog at: http://frameyourpets.blogspot.com/ where you’ll find updates on what we’ve all been doing along with photos, polls and and other fun stuff!
Copyright 2009 Bengel Publishing Inc.
www.thenewsleader.ca www.frameyourpets.com
Exceptional dogs with jobs
Categories: Woof!, 362 wordsSend feedback •(NC)—Human beings are not the only working species. From coast-to-coast, there are various canine crews with places to go, things to do and people to help on a daily basis. Even though they do not receive a monetary pay cheque, they are compensated with treats, premium nutrition and lots of love.
Assistance Dogs are bred to help individuals with physical disabilities or vision impairments. They are trained to become an extension of someone in need, assisting them with all aspects of their day-to-day routines. Training and nutrition are two key elements in preparing a dog for its service role. Dedicated to providing the most nutritious food for their dogs, the Mira Foundation exclusively feeds all its dogs Eukanuba, formulated with DHA, proven to make puppies more trainable. Assistance dogs go through a pairing process where they are matched with a recipient based on lifestyle, personality and needs. The dog’s main job requirement is to help the individual carry out his/her regular daily activities.
Police dogs are trained to specifically assist police and law-enforcement personnel with their work. These working dogs are often referred to as K9s. A traditional role for a police dog is to enforce public order, such as chasing and holding individuals suspected of committing a crime. Tracking dogs are trained to find suspects, missing persons or illegal substances. As a less common role, cadaver dogs are trained to detect the odour of decomposing bodies. Despite the differences in day-to-day activities, all police dogs aim to serve and protect, just like their human counterparts.
Disaster dogs are trained to find human scent in an unnatural environment, including collapsed buildings or areas affected by natural disasters. The dog is specifically trained on unstable footing, small confined spaces and other settings not usually found in the wilderness. A disaster dog should have specific qualities and traits such as being agile, obedient, following directional commands and be able to find and give an alert, such as a bark.
For 40 years, Eukanuba has been providing premium nutrition to meet the specific nutritional needs of exceptional dogs with jobs. More information is available online at www.eukanuba.ca.
Source: www.newscanada.com
No bites... Canada Post reminds Canadians of their dog duties
Categories: Woof!, 660 wordsSend feedback •Windsor (May 1, 2009) ˆ Imagine a regular day at work where you need to
deliver a file to a colleague across the office. As you turn the corner to
enter your colleague’s cubicle, you’re faced with a dog clearly looking to
defend his family and property. You know taking one step could trigger an
attack, yet you need to deliver the file˜there’s work to be done. A
scenario most of us aren’t likely to encounter, unless you are one of the
men and women who deliver Canada’s mail.Canada Post delivery employees are exposed to an increased risk of dog
attacks as the warmer weather brings a greater number of pets outdoors.
Recovery from a severe dog bite can take months or years, and in some
cases, a letter carrier can be left with permanent scarring, both
physically and emotionally. On average, there are 500 dog-related
incidents involving Canada Post employees per year.Dog owners have a responsibility to reduce the risk to our employees by
properly restraining their dogs. All dogs should be kept securely away
from the delivery area or in the home during delivery hours.Gilbert Barrette, Canada Post’s general manager of Workplace Safety and
Health noted, “Canada Post is vigilant about training our delivery
personnel on how to avoid dog-related injuries, and we’ve conducted public
awareness campaigns, but it is the owner’s responsibility to ensure their
pet is never in a position where they can hurt someone. We need every dog
owner’s help to solve this problem by being responsible pet owners.” The
prevention of dog attacks and bites is serious business and Canada Post
will take every step to protect its delivery employees.Beth Bailey delivers mail to more than 800 addresses a day in Windsor,
Ontario. She has been a letter carrier for 24 years and is co-owner of a
dog-grooming studio. Beth understands dogs, but has still been bitten 11
times while delivering mail. Beth knows when she’s on a dog’s property the
animal sees her as an intruder and that the dog is only protecting
property and family. Her first dog bite came from a dog that she‚d had to
pepper spray a few days earlier because it was loose on the street. The
next time she saw the dog, it was in the backyard of one of the homes on
her route. She told the owner that this dog had previously tried to bite
her, but the owner said his dog wouldn’t do anything like that. Yet, just
a few moments later, the dog advanced on Beth and as she reached for her
pepper spray, the dog latched onto her right arm. She was off work for
five weeks from her injuries and for the longest time she’d wake up in the
night with the image of this dog coming towards her. Beth’s message to dog
owners, “Please keep your dog restrained and away from the front of the
house, at least during delivery hours. I know you don’t think they would
never bite a friendly visitor, but myself and hundreds of my colleagues
will tell you different.”The company is increasing its emphasis on prevention by tightening the
recording and monitoring of hazards and banning delivery employees from
giving treats to dogs on the job, as other postal administrations have
done. Dog behaviorists agree that movement, regardless of the motivation,
is a trigger for most dog bites and the sharing of dog treats put carriers
and others at risk. “Canada Post is not the only company delivering goods
and services to the door. Raised awareness of dog bite prevention benefits
everyone. Breaking the ‘Give the dog a treat’ cycle is one of the
practices that will help us all,” Barrette concludes.Regardless of a dog’s size or breed, its bite is always worse than its
bark. Canada Post asks all pet owners to be responsible and keep their
pets away from delivery areas, making this the summer of no bites.Source: www.thenewsleader.ca
