Puppy Raisers in High School

Posted on 09. Apr, 2008 by in Glycogen Storage Disease

As many of you know, we are trying to raise a labradoodle puppy to (hopefully) be a hypoglycemic detecting service dog for our boys. We are working with an organization in Idaho called Genesis Service Dogs that raises/ teaches puppies to know the basic skills they will need to become a full fledged service dog IE leash relieving, stay, come, getting them used to being in public etc. Waaaaaaaay harder (at least for me) than it sounds. I’m surprised that there are still tufts of my hair to pull out. We often meet at the same time as, but not with, the Guide Dogs for the Blind chapter in Idaho.

As a result I’ve gotten to get to know the incredible raisers, mostly teenage girls, that in essence change their lives so that they can help someone else. I am in awe of them, and their leaders. They truly know the meaning of service.  Being exposed to public is one of the most essential parts of raising a puppy. But, some of these girls (not all) have had difficulty with the High Schools in our area allowing them to bring their dogs to school. I find this exceptionally ironic since the school district we live in has a therapy dog roaming the halls of the high school. Don’t get me wrong, he’s a very nice dog, and I’m glad he’s there, I just find it a bit inconsistent to say the least.

While I’m somewhat disappointed with SOME of the High Schools in Idaho, I am extremely excited about a High School in Dalles, Oregon where they not only allow the puppies to attend class, but raising a puppy for Guide Dogs for the Blind is actually an accredited senior class subject! Good for them! I can guarantee that raising a guide dog will be every bit as challenging, and probably take considerably more time, than any of the other electives that these Seniors might take next year. I believe teaching the youth of our country to serve and improve the lives of others is one of the most important things we can do as a society.

3 Responses to “Puppy Raisers in High School”

  1. Kay M

    10. Apr, 2008

    You said: “have had difficulty with the High Schools in our area allowing them to bring their dogs to school.”

    I strongly believe that the High Schools are violating the law concerning access for the training of service dogs. I researched Idaho’s laws concerning Service Dogs, and according to the publication “Assistance Dogs International’s Guide to Assistance Dog Laws,”
    TRAINERS: have SAME ACCESS AS TRAINED DOGS; however, they must “. . . shall carry and upon request display an identification card issued by a recognized school for assistance dogs or organization which serves disabled persons.”
    The law cited is:
    Idaho Statutes, Title 56, Chapter 7, Section 56-704A.

    I hope you can get this info to the trainers that have been denied access to the high schools, and then the program that oversees the trainers should issue identification cards, and then provide a copy of the Idaho statute to the high school. Then if they still don’t allow the trainers and dogs into the school, they should take their case to the media, or their local state representative.
    Good luck and don’t be defeated by the ignorance of the school or other management.

    –Kay M.
    I have Glycogen Storage type IX (phosphorylase b kinase deficiency). Also I have been a volunteer trainer and certifier of animal-assisted therapy dogs for 12 years.

  2. popcornboy

    15. Apr, 2008

    I am a member and I have glycogen storage disease type 1b along with my sister and We also have a labradoodle(3yrs) and we are wondering how do you train one?

  3. Adina

    10. Jun, 2008

    Hi there, a quick search for labradoodles in different areas, led me to your post. So apologies as this is wayyy off topic for this site. Just wanted to invite you to a new social network site for doodle owners, it’s a fun site with over 300 doodle owners =)
    http://www.DoodleKisses.com

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