Summit Assistance Dogs

Summit Featured in UWeek

2010-11-13T09:32:00.000-08:00

Nov. 10, 2010
Good dogs! Summit Assistance Dogs is a heart-warming CFD choice

By Peter Kelley
University Week

Mary Levin

Representatives of Summit Assistance Dogs visit the annual kickoff of the Combined Fund Drive in October. From left, they are Andrea Crispin, Lynda Ardern (with her lab Logan), Michelle Munro, board president (with her "Labrdoodle," Hayden) and Wendy Hardman, with puppy Crickett.

Mary Levin

Crickett the puppy and Logan the lab share an unguarded moment of affection.

Editor's note: Through the 2010 Combined Fund Drive campaign, University Week will spotlight agencies that receive CFD funds and members of the UW community who volunteer for such organizations. The theme of this year's drive is "Imagine the Difference We Can Make."
Michelle Munro is not only president of the board of Summit Assistance Dogs of Anacortes -- one of 2,800-some agencies that get support from the Combined Fund Drive -- she's also a contented client whose own assistance dog helped her rejoin the world after illness.
"He changed my life," Munro said of Hayden, the shaggy "Labradoodle" who came her way through Summit after being donated by a dog breeder in Idaho. Hayden helps Munro with balance and mobility, coping with the effects of a rare autoimmune disease that struck her several years ago, and its after-effects.Read More

Happy Halloween!

2010-11-02T23:07:00.000-07:00

Shiloh and I had a great time as Little Red Riding Hood and The Big Bad Wolf as "Grandma".My roommate and I created and made these costumes ourselves and that was half the fun!

New Faces at Summit Headquarters

2010-11-01T22:54:00.000-07:00

Melissa's roommate, Leslie, cuddles with Benson.Benson is a little (okay not so little 23lbs!) ball of Golden retriever puppy fluff.

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Isabelle is a happy go lucky golden girl who thought nothing of running up to us and rolling on her back for a belly rub. We were only too happy to oblige her!

Friday, is a smoke gray kitty with four white feet and a white blaze on her chest. She is curious and unflappable thing nothing of the two large dogs on either side of her while she investigated my shoes.

Shiloh and I got to go to the Summit Headquarters this week. This was a big deal for both of us, since we live a full day's drive away. Shiloh know where were going we we got within 20miles of the Summit Office and could barely contain her excitement! I can't say I blame her I was also very excited to see Wendy, Sue, and another members of the Summit family four-legged or otherwise who might be in the office when Shiloh and I came for our two year follow-up visit. I was please and surprised to be greeted by two new puppies, Benson and Isabelle joining the Summit family all the way from Florida, and Friday a kitten picked as an office kitty by Wendy from a local shelter.

Meet our 2010 Teams!

2010-10-22T14:06:00.000-07:00

Dana and Marley

Dana, who lives in East Wenatchee, Washington, was matched with professional therapy dog Marley in April of 2010. Dana is pursuing a career in Long-Term Care Administration and recently earned his Nursing Home Administrator’s License and his Assisted Living Administrator’s License. He wanted a professional therapy dog to brighten the lives of people living in long-term care facilities. Marley rises to the occasion every day when she accompanies Dana to work and brings sunshine and smiles to the residents at his facility.

Louise and Cloud

Louise, who lives in Seattle, had to have one of her legs amputated above the knee due to a post-surgery infection. She uses a manual wheelchair, and cloud is able to help her with tasks like opening and closing doors and retrieving dropped items. Louise works at the University of Washington’s Cascadia campus two days a week and uses public transportation to get to work, with Cloud at her side and always eager to help. She was paired with Cloud, a lovely Yellow Lab, in April of 2010 after a three-year wait as an applicant. They bonded very quickly and have become a wonderful partnership.

Sherry and Luc

Sherry, of Orcas Island, Washington, was paired with service dog Luc during our spring team training back in April, and her life has changed dramatically since Luc came into her life. She says he has brought incredible joy to her life and helped make her more approachable. Sherry has primary lateral sclerosis, a progressive disorder that affects her speech and mobility. Luc helps her with a variety of tasks, including picking up items that she drops, opening doors, and transferring laundry from the dryer to the clothes basket. He also braces her if she starts to fall. Luc knows many other commands, but it’s obvious there is much more to their relationship.

Graduation October 17th!

2010-09-20T12:15:00.000-07:00

Join us in celebrating our newest teams and meet establish teams!
Graduation
Sunday, October 17, 2010
2 p.m.
Highland Community Center
14224 NE Bel Red Rd.
Bellevue, WA

Summit Assistance Dogs Day of Caring: September 24th, 2010

2010-07-29T15:31:00.001-07:00

You can make a difference in the lives of people living with disabilities, while enjoying the company of our wonderful dogs and puppies on the Day of Caring with Summit Assistance Dogs, September 24^th, 2010!

Summit Assistance Dogs is a registered non-profit organization based in Anacortes, WA., that provides highly-skilled mobility, hearing and therapy dogs for people with disabilities. Today Microsoft has many employees volunteering with Summit through puppy raising and a myriad of other activities.

Because of Summit’s home location, we are unable to register our project with the United Way of King County but we are every bit as desirous of your generosity of time and spirit that day and all year round. More info about us and additional opportunities at www.summitdogs.org.

On September 24^th, we promise a fun day for all, but especially our four-legged “volunteers” who will be the focus of your attention that day.

As in previous years we will have 2 locations:

Issaquah, 98027 - 10422- 240th Place SE, approx 4 miles south of Sammamish campus.

Activities to include: Play, exercise, then bathe our dogs; clean the Summit van.
10:00 AM – 3:30 PM approx
Lunch provided
Up to 30 people needed

Anacortes, 98221 - 12549 Christianson Rd.

Activities to include: Play, exercise, then bathe our dogs; clean the Summit van.
10:00 AM – 3:30 PM approx
Lunch provided
Up to 20 people needed

To register, or if you have any questions, contact me (DonnellB) directly via email or office phone (425) 707-2098. Maps and further details will be sent with registration.

Inmates, dogs team up-Herald.Net

2010-07-23T12:47:00.000-07:00

Monroe prisoners train the animals to see if they have what it takes to serve those with disabilities.

By Andy Rathbun
Herald Writer

MONROE — Wayne Anderson didn’t mind cramming a dog crate into his tiny prison cell at the Monroe Correctional Complex.

In truth, the convicted murderer signed up for the honor.

For the past eight weeks, Anderson participated in a program where inmates helped train rescued dogs, to see if the animals could serve people with disabilities. Read More About the Prison Program
Apply to Adopt a Summit Career Change Dog

Finding the Right Job for the Dog

2010-07-22T12:41:00.000-07:00

Luc was originally trained to be guide dog for the blind. After he developed food allergies, he was donated to Summit Assistance, an organization based in Anacortes that provides highly skilled mobility, hearing and therapy dogs for people with disabilities. The average waiting time for applications is two to five years, as dogs undergo advanced training before they are ready to be placed. Read more about Sherry and Luc

New prison partnership is “win-win-win” program

2010-07-16T17:35:00.000-07:00

May 18 was the official launch date of a new dog housing and training program we have been developing with the Monroe Correctional Complex, Washington state’s largest prison facility.
“This is a win-win-win program,” said Sue Meinzinger, Summit’s Executive Director. “It’s a win for us because it expands our housing and training resources, making more dogs available to people with disabilities. It’s a win for the inmates because it teaches them skills they can use when they are released, and more than 90 percent of them will be. And finally, it’s a win for homeless shelter dogs, who will be given a new leash on life."
Carefully screened, selected and supervised inmates are being trained by Summit staff to work with dogs we rescue from shelters. Initially, four dogs were placed with eight inmates, so each dog has a primary and a secondary trainer.
After eight weeks, we will consult with the inmates to determine which dogs to retain for advanced training with our professional trainers and which to adopt out as family pets. Then a new round of dogs will be brought in for another eight weeks of inmate training and evaluation.
“This is a captive audience that increases our training resources and exposes the dogs to a variety of situations,” Sue said. “The inmates have shown us the utmost respect, and they are eager to learn, are reading their training manuals and are coming well prepared to our twice-weekly training classes.”
During this economic recession, when most nonprofit organizations are scaling back on programs, we are proud to be expanding our services to the community. Our paroled pups are sure to change many lives."
Fiona is recently graduated from this program and is ready for her forever home... are you ready for her? Learn more about Fiona

2010-07-12T21:07:00.000-07:00

Summit Dogs are family even to each other.Shiloh and Scout were both rescued in 2008 and placed with their partners Melissa (Shiloh) and Anne (Scout) in 2009. Melissa and Anne were friends before they got these dogs who as you can see are friends. Both people are partnered with their second dogs.
Scout shared his mat with Shiloh during a Puget Sound Assistance Dog Club Meeting.

From Summit Assistance Dogs

Find us on FaceBook!

2010-05-13T16:03:00.000-07:00

Join all those in the Summit Family both four legged, and hominid on Facebook!
http://www.facebook.com/group.php?gid=7080623401#!/group.php?gid=7080623401

2009 Graduation Honors Four More Matches, Bringing Us To 46 Graduate Pairs

2010-05-04T15:39:00.000-07:00

There were smiles, cheers and happy tears as we honored the four most recent
additions to our Summit family of graduate pairs – Taysen Langstraat of Lynden with
Jackson, GJ Leptien of Portland with Zoey, Lynne Kovacich of Spokane Valley with
Adams and Eric Rea of Seattle with Titus. These four bring our nine-year total to 46 lives
changed for the better through the help and companionship of an assistance dog.
We also honored the puppy raisers and trainers who prepared these four wonderful
dogs for their new lives. Jackson’s puppy raiser was Christy Durham of Sedro Woolley,
and staff trainer Wendy McDougal did his advanced training. Zoey’s puppy raiser was
Diana Smith of Anacortes, who also was his volunteer advanced trainer. Adams was
raised and put through advanced training by volunteer Jan Hemme of Anacortes.
Summit staff trainer Lisa Freshour started out raising Titus when she was a volunteer
and became his advanced trainer when she joined our staff last year,
Eric Rea, speaking on behalf of this year’s graduating class, talked about how
dramatically his life has changed since he was paired with Titus last spring. He
reiterated what we hear from our graduates over and over again. In addition to the
helpful tasks they perform, these dogs help build bridges and new friendships, create
independence and hope-filled lives, reduce depression and loneliness, and of course,
give unconditional love.
It takes a lot to make these miracles happen. To produce 46 great service dogs, we
have rescued more than 200 dogs and raised more than 150 puppies. Hundreds of
volunteers have given countless hours to raise, train and socialize puppies, help us
around our office and volunteer for events. More than 3,200 generous donors have
supported us financially through the years. Without them, we would not have been
able to change these 46 lives.
We also extend a special thanks to the sponsors who helped make our 2009
graduation ceremony a wonderful event. Christine Coco, photography; Nancy Nielsen,
handmade personalized quilts for the graduates; Jan Hemme and Barb Clark, the 2009
slide show; David Lorenz & Team at Starbucks Redmond Center Store 349, coffee;
Elaine Montgomery, cakes.
Many volunteers also helped us with set up, clean up and other event tasks.

Dogs of Tuscany Calendar Raises Money for Summit

2010-04-27T12:52:00.000-07:00

No, not that Tuscany! They are dogs who live in the Tuscany neighborhood in the Woodinville area, and the calendar was the brainstorm of five sixth graders who live in the neighborhood.
“My friends and I wanted to do something fun over the summer, so we thought of creating a dog calendar,” said Hannah Visse. She collaborated on the project with Cami Pawlak, Olivia Kaplan, Alli Porter and Katie Williamson.
“We went door to door and asked neighbors who owned dogs if they would like us to take a picture of their dogs to include in the calendar,” Hannah said. “We easily found enough neighborhood dogs to fill up a calendar.”
The girls decided they wanted to sell the calendars for $20 each and raise money for an animal non-profit,
since they are all animal lovers. Hannah knew about Summit because her father, Bob Visse, is a donor, so
she proposed Summit as the recipient.
All five of them spent their weekends in November and December selling the calendars in their neighborhood.
They expect to raise about $400 for Summit by the time they have finished their calendar sales.
“Coming to watch graduation was very inspirational,” said Hannah, who attended the Dec. 6 event with
Cami and Olivia. “We loved seeing how the dogs are making people’s lives better.”

Donate to Summit

This post from the February 2010 Newsletter- Read More

Service Dog Allows Man to Live on his Own

2009-10-22T09:43:00.000-07:00

"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!

2009-10-20T15:54:00.000-07:00

(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

2009-10-19T22:49:00.000-07:00

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

2009-09-04T11:54:00.000-07:00

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

2009-08-21T10:31:00.000-07:00

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

2009-08-19T14:30:00.000-07:00

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

2009-05-13T16:40:00.000-07:00

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

2009-04-03T21:48:00.000-07:00

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.

Some updates...

2008-07-26T08:59:00.001-07:00

Recently, the "C" litter was born. This is the 3rd litter that Summit has bred in its breeding program. The litter includes five boys and two girls and all the puppies are healthy and good natured. You can read more about the litter and see a photo in Summit's July newsletter here:

http://www.summitdogs.org/Newsletters/2008_Jul.pdf

We have created a "Summit Assistance Dogs" group on facebook. For those of you that use facebook, please consider joining the group. facebook provides a convenient way for the folks at Summit to interact with the community of people interested in Summit's activities. By way of (great) incentive, Grant has uploaded some photos and videos of the puppies in the "C" litter to the facebook Summit group. You may join the group by following this link:

http://www.facebook.com/group.php?gid=7080623401

Daz

Morgan's blog for the end of March

2008-03-30T13:02:00.000-07:00

Heyla

I had to spend last weekend alone without Alice. It was hard. I was worried and missing her. She went away without me for 4 days. Don't I look worried?
I tried to be happy with my dad person Wayne. We took long walks, and I even tried meditating with him.

Here is Alice being silly as usual with her bunnies. I tried to join in the fun with "Peeps Around the World" series of photographs of those little cultural icons in trees, bushes, wherever. But it was not much fun without my special person, Alice.

And it was an exciting time for black cat Sophie who on one of our walks(!) got treed by a barking and snapping dog. She was up there for over 3 hours. Finally Wayne had to become fireman Joe and rescue her. That's what she gets for trying to walk with us.

I still get to go out as Alice's service dog, but not always. She is talking of getting me a part-time job! I mean, haven't I worked enough already? Don't I start getting treats for just being? Ommmmm...

Later,
Morgan
Summit Service Dog
(as written through his keyboarding person, Alice)

Morgan's Blog "Movies, Sleeping and not Sleeping!"

2008-03-17T19:16:00.001-07:00

Hey dudes,

My people took me to a movie yesterday that was so bad, all three of us ranted and raved after it was over. Wayne wrote a letter to the editor, and Alice added her two cents. It was so bad, I got up from my sleeping place at Alice's feet, and near the end begged them by panting my doggie breathe on Wayne, with a please-let's-leave-now-look.

They agree, they should have left the theater, but no, they stayed till the excruciating end. The name of the film had something to do with Bach, music I generally like, but the humans complained about the bad film: script, editing, photography, directing, all that stuff. And, worst of all, they had no popcorn!

Dog dancing is still fun. Some new dogs coming into the program,but I still can't play with any of them. Mary says "no freelancing." That means no nose sniffing, or no butt greeting. I mean come on! We say hello that way! It's all part of being a canine. Lighten up, Mary!

My human sister, Annie is coming to visit again. I like her. That means long walks and hikes and camping! Oh boy, camping, what fun! But we sold our VW camper bus so we currently have no vehicle to camp in, and Alice says she's too old for tent camping. Whatever! I just want to get out there in the wild and smell all the good nature things, and the campfire and stuff. It's so much fun.

To tell you the truth though my aches and pains are still around. I try not to let Alice know, but she knows anyway. I guess getting older and wiser is not all it's cracked up to be. Alice agrees: she has something called insomnia: neither Wayne nor I can figure out how she can NOT sleep.

I'm doing just fine, although I'm told I now snore when I sleep. Do not! It's probably Wayne or one of the cats making that noise. Those people always blame me for fart smells, burping noises, now snoring. I don't really mind: I get secret joy of making those sounds and smells!

It's 4:30 am: Alice has been up since 2: she's getting sleepy, and making all sorts of errors typing. I think she needs a break. Go back to bed, Alice. I need to sleep some more anyway!

Yesterday we had a big wind storm. Alice got knocked over by a gust of wind, and took Wayne down with her. I stayed on four feet. Her balance isn't what it used to be. Sometimes she let's me out in the yard, no walkies. Here I am forlorn, waiting to be let back in the house.

Well, that's about it for now. Life is pretty good:

Walkies, dog dancing, visits to the elementary school,good food, and treats! And lots of napping for this dog!

Yesterday, Alice and I practiced some dance moves. I got hotdog pieces for my reward. Way to go, Alice!

Woof!

Morgan,
Summit,graduate of 2002,
(as helped by his human counterpart. Alice.)

Notes from a Volunteer Puppy Raiser

2008-03-09T11:57:00.001-07:00

Hello everyone. I have good news - my hoped for, and expected new puppy to train for Summit is 'in utero' and should be born middle to end of this month. That means I'll get her towards the end of May. The mom is a lab and the dad is a collie. Their first two litters have been very successful in the training program, so I'm looking forward to some good results. So far, I have had mostly standard poodles, and Summit feels, (I agree) that they are not the best breed for service dogs. None of mine have graduated. They are a little too alert, curious, and into their own agenda for a service dog. As a personal pet, I think they are the best.

I have been going to weekly obedience classes with my Summit pups in training. I go in Gig Harbor to Jeanne Hampl's class which is for basic obedience, but she gives me more specific service dog tips during the lesson. She started the Assistance Dog Club of Puget Sound which is for people partnered with assistance dogs. It is a support group, a training group and a social fun group.

The club will be having a very good workshop on May 31, a Saturday. It will be held in Gig Harbor and I'm sure it would be worth your time to attend it. Sue Meinzinger will be presenting on canine temperament for program dogs.

I'll be there and hope to see you there, also.

Donna