A Monument to Working Dogs

by Carrie Boyko, CEB

courtesy Natural Balance
A Monument Replica Resides in the NB Offices

Suddenly I feel all patriotic. When I read the news release and materials for this story my heart fluttered just a little. I think it's the fact that I now have a service dog that made me emotional and tingly. I now understand the relationship that a human can have with a working dog. It's the same; yet it's different. The bond has an added element of extra respect and reverence. 

The John Burnam Monument Foundation is pleased to announce that on October 28 The Military Working Dog Teams National Monument will be officially and formally dedicated at Lackland Air Force Base, San Antonio, Texas. This is an historical event, and one that I would love to attend. 

This Air Force base is where the U.S. military has been training its working dogs since 1958. Our largest military veterinary hospital is also located on this base. The founder and inspiration for the national monument is John C. Burnam, a highly decorated Vietnam 
Infantry Veteran Scout Dog Handler and author of “Dog Tags of Courage” and “A Soldier’s Best Friend.” In an interview about the monument, Burnam said:

“As a nation we owe our war dogs a tremendous debt of gratitude,” said Burnam. “Their selfless service, loyalty and sacrifices to our country must never be forgotten. The U.S. Military Working Dog Teams National Monument is a treasure for us all to ensure they are honored and remembered forever.” 

The larger than life sized monument features the 4 most prominent military working dog breeds, with a soldier that is intended to represent all branches of the military. In case you're wondering (I was!), the breeds represented on the monument are a German Shepherd, a Labrador Retriever, a Doberman Pinscher and a Belgian Malinois.

Natural Balance, alongside Petco, has worked hard to raise funds to support this monument and sponsor its creation in dedication to the military working dogs that serve to keep our country free. This is the first American monument to military working dogs, and one that will be very special to working dog teams throughout our military and other government organizations such as the TSA.

If you'd like to read the full Press Release, you can visit here to learn more about the monument and see a series of photos of its creation here. If you'd like to attend this event, more information is included at this link, where location, time and more are detailed. 

As an NB Insider and an owner of a service dog, I am proud to be a small part of this episode in American history. I share this information because it is important, but I am required by the FTC to disclose that I am compensated to share news about Natural Balance with you. 

A Tribute to Dogs That Serve

by Carrie Boyko, CEB

Occasionally I have to spout off about my sponsors when pride is bursting. I love that
in addition to their dedication to helping military dogs, Natural Balance and the Petco Foundation have joined forces to help raise needed funds for dogs that serve others--Guide Dogs, Service Dogs and Therapy animals. They have been working together for 5 years and have raised nearly $5 million to support guide dog programs and service dog awareness.

No one could be more proud of this than I am, with a Medical Alert Dog in the household. I learned how expensive it is to train these talented animals, and know the value of their service first hand. And pssst....that's not Tanner up there in the picture :)  My Medical Alert Dog is Oliver, a diminutive 10-pound Papillon. 

From many knowing individuals including my own physician, I have learned that different

© AllThingsDogBlog.com
Service Dogs Come in All Sizes

breeds often have very different natural abilities. Companion dogs such as what we typically call Toy dogs, are often more tuned in to their particular human's smell. That turned out to be Oliver's talent that began building his ability to alert me to oncoming problems with my Multiple Sclerosis. Getting a heads up before a dizzy spell, especially when I'm alone or driving, is a huge relief of worry and safety issues.

But Service and Therapy dogs can do so much more than alert. They rescue, stabilize, calm, and physically assist their owners, to name just a few of their amazing skills. Those of us who have service dogs are thankful to companies like Natural Balance and Petco for their support of programs that help in this way.

Through October 20, you can help to support these programs also. At 1200+ Petco stores across the country, the Helping Heroes program is giving you three wonderful ways to pitch in without pinching your budget:

• Purchase a bag of L.I.D. Legume and Duck Formula Dog Food and Natural Balance will

  

  courtesy Natural Balance

  donate $1 to the Helping Heroes fund. This is a grain free food with fewer ingredients, especially important to those dogs who may be battling allergies.
• At the Petco checkout, you can also simply round up your purchase to the nearest dollar to make a small donation, or ask to donate $1, $5, $10 or $20. You pick! Click here to locate a store near you.
• Want to really make a difference? You can head on over to the donation page and use your credit card to supercharge the Helping Heroes program budget. Every little bit helps; thanks for your support!

Want a little help with that purchase at Petco? Click on the ad at the top of this posts column and you'll receive valuable coupons to help pay you back for some of your donation. Thanks again!
As an NB Insider, I am sometimes privy to information about their activities such as that above. I am compensated for sharing this by receiving food for my 4 pets and sponsored travel to industry events.

Working Dog Monument Seeks Funding

by Carrie Boyko, CEB

courtesy jbmf.us
San Antonio: On My Bucket List!

Many of you may be aware of the Military Working Dog Teams National Monument that Natural Balance is sponsoring. This is the first time in U.S. history that dogs have been elevated to national monument status by a congressional law. We're finally realizing their significant contribution to our nation's security. In October of this year, the National Monument will be dedicated at Lackland Air Force Base in San Antonio, TX, where the military working dog teams are trained. 

The installation and maintenance of the monument will be very costly. Natural Balance, in partnership with the Petco Foundation, will be investing heavily in this effort and would like to invite you to participate if your heartstrings are tugged. Families of service members who have been touched by working dogs may find this a way to pay homage to the canines that have been a part of their family history.

Want to learn more about the monument and how you can help? Start here:

© AllThingsDogBlog.com
Oliver Loves the L.I.T. Jerky Bark!

Purchase: L.I.T. Limited Ingredient Jerky Bark Treats offered at Petco and online in 4 flavors. (All proceeds from the sale of this product at Petco go to support this $1 Million fund raising effort to recognize military service dogs.)
Donate at Petco: Visit your Petco Store to donate
Donate online:  Donate at the Petco foundation website
Visit the monument's website for more ideas on how you can help: John Burnam's Monument Foundation

courtesy NaturalBalanceInc.com

As an NB Insider, All Things Dog Blog shares news, events and product information with you. In exchange I am compensated with Natural Balance Organic Formula food for my dogs and sponsored travel to industry events.

Service Dog Access to VA Property Sought with Bill in Congress

Guest post by Matt Polsky

Photo thanks to The U.S. Army under creative common license on Flickr
Service Dogs of All Kinds
Need Access to VA Property

HR 1154, a bill currently in Congress, champions the right of veterans with service dogs to visit Veterans Administration (VA) properties without restriction. Virginia is home to three VA Medical Centers, including Hampton VA Medical Center, Hunter Holmes McGuire VA Medical Center (Richmond), and Salem VA Medical Center, as well as over a dozen other VA facilities. Currently, only seeing-eye dogs are permitted in these VA facilities, but this legislation would allow service dogs of all types in such facilities. Rep. John Carter (R-Texas) sponsored the new bill and said that the bill will draw little debate.

Vision impairments are no longer the only need for a service dog. Veterans with mobility, hearing and psychiatric impairments now use service dogs. However, under general VA policy, these veterans and their dogs are not granted access to VA facilities. It is up to officials to decide if they want to let them enter. Imagine a military veteran suffering from post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) not being allowed in a VA hospital, due to the fact they require a service dog to be independent.

A policy change is taking shape at the VA that would allow veterans with mobility issues to get a service dog, and the policy can take effect as early as June. This change is in addition to Carter’s bill, which 35 Congress members have cosponsored. The bill takes into account an increasing number of veterans coming home with missing limbs and PTSD. Service dogs can be trained to aid veterans with PTSD and other mental health issues by recognizing the beginning stages of panic attacks and being there for support.

Carter is not the only strong supporter of the bill. Christina Roof, AmVets legislative director, said the bill intends to modernize an outdated VA policy that did not consider how necessary and widespread service dogs would be. She compared the need of a prosthetic and the need of a service dog as being one in the same.

Roof also said that the VA’s policy change comes with loopholes that need to be filled; otherwise, veterans may not get the services they need and deserve. Carter called this bill commonsense, and said that if seeing-eye dogs enter VA properties without restrictions, other service dogs should be able to do the same.

Matt Polsky is a blogger associated with VA Benefit Blog and VA Mortgage Center.com. VA Benefit Blog provides service members with up to date information on the VA benefits they have access to, while VAMC is the nation’s leading provider of VA home loans.


Be sure to check our Carrie's latest guest post at FIDO Friendly: Dog Park Readiness for Fido's First Visit.

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Doggie New Year's Inspiration: Ricochet is Back

by Carrie Boyko, CEB

Grab your tissues. This video is a testament to realizing the potential of a dog. Ricochet has done amazing things with her surfing skills--raising funds for many causes.

While Tanner and Oliver are not surf dogs, they use their skills to help me educate you. They demonstrate behaviors, pose for product reviews, and sometimes just get 'caught in the act' of being silly....for entertainment! That is their service, and I am proud of them for that. 

I hope when you look at your dog, you are able to find a way to be proud of her, and pat yourself on the back for that. You create what your dog becomes. Be the Change you want to see in your dog. It's a New Year--go for it!


More Inspirational Reading:
Be the Change for the Animals in Your Life
All Things Dog Blog Introduces Rainbow Bridge Memorial
Chores? What Can Your Dog Help With?

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Spokesdog:Join Me for a Reader's Tribute

by Carrie Boyko, CEB

This wonderful, inspiring reader tugs at my heartstrings. Thank you, Niki. Your support has meant so much to me during my journey. It is readers like you that fuel my fire, and for that I thank you from the bottom of my heart ♥

AKC Announces the 2010 ACE Award Nominees

by Carrie Boyko

© photo courtesy of Heart Dog Studios

Ricochet Nominated for AKC's ACE Award

The American Kennel Club has published their nomination list for Awards for Canine Excellence at this link. The name and an image of each dog are included, as well as their nomination category.

©   Julie G. Photography Denver and courtesy K9 Cares

Caitee is a Second-Time Nominee

 for this Top Award

These awards, in several service categories, will be given at a special ceremony in California in late August. All Things Dog Blog is proud of all of these dogs, but none more than two of our featured friends: Caitee (Law Enforcement Therapy with her owner, Carolyn) and Ricochet (Exemplary Companion with her owner, Judy). You can read their stories at the links. So many deserving dogs. Too bad you can't all win. Good luck!

From Service Dog to SURFice Dog: Enjoy this Amazing Video Journey

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Thanks to Judy and Ricochet for sharing their story of Ricochet's journey. Warning: Grab your tissues.

(c) video copryighted by www.SurfDogRicochet.com

All Rights Reserved

For those of you who would like to watch this video on YouTube, the link is: 
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BGODurRfVv4 . I encourage you to view some of Ricochet's other videos as well.

You can see more of Ricochet and keep up with his continuing events at:
Ricochet on Facebook
Ricochet on Twitter
Surf Dog Ricochet's website
Tucson Dogs Examiner Story

What would you like to teach your dog to do?

Big News for All Things Dog Blog readers: We finally have ourselves an ASK THE TRAINER columnist, to be introduced soon. Our new trainer is already at work on a question I received from a reader. Watch for her intro post sometime next week. Meanwhile, send your questions to ASK THE TRAINER at All Things Dog Blog.

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Service Dogs: They're Not Just for Sight Any More

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(c) photo copyright Carrie Boyko 2008
"I'm Not a Service Dog
But, I'd Like to Be"

Service dogs have come full circle. We've all seen Seeing Eye Dogs for the blind, but no longer are dogs just  able to help the sight-impaired. Today, dogs are being trained to sense minute changes in body chemistry that can predict a multitude of medical problems. 


Assistance dogs are now being used for sensing allergen presense in an environment or in foods, for highly-allergic patients. This has been particularly useful for those who are severely allergic to peanuts, a food that is processed in the same plants as so many other ingredients. People with heightened sensitivity to peanuts must be extremely vigilant about environments and foods where trace amounts of peanuts could be present.


Dogs are also being used more widely to notify their owners of changes in body chemistry that mean a seizure is imminent or medication is needed quickly. These dogs often are trained to paw or bark at their owner as a notification to take action.


Even memory-impaired patients with various forms of dementia are now receiving help from specially-trained dogs, to stay stable and safe.


Dogs have been found to have such exceptional scenting capabilties, that it is believed there may be many more uses for their  super sniffers. Trainers at specialized training facilities are working to find more uses for our talented companions.


Groups such as Angel Service Dogs help to provide the funding through donations, for service dogs to give help to those in need.


In addition to service dogs and therapy dogs, there is an emerging category referred to as Facility Dogs. These pups assist in various ways with specialized therapy, guided by a handler. They can be found assisting patients with physical therapy and occupational therapy.


In reading about this new category of canine helpers, I was inspired to read about a Golden Retriever/Labrador Retriever mix that is assisting children with their therapy in a burn unit, by playing fetch with the dog. The children are less intimidated by playing with a dog, than working with a therapist, yet the result is the same. They are using their extremities to stretch their skin, while having fun playing with the dog.


My own Golden Retriever/Labrador Retriever mix, Xena, would have been thrilled to have this job. She is a sterotypical retriever, with a people loving, playful attitude--even at almost 13.


Want to learn more about service dogs? You can check out some of my sources, or try a Google search. It is truly amazing what dogs can do. I continue to learn this lesson. Even today, while my father is in the hospital, Tanner is giving me moral support when I return home for a little family time. He vigorously rubs his head on my leg, as if to say, "I know Mom, but I'm here for you." 

Sources: USA Today,  About.com: Vet Medicine, Denver Post

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