Hello, my name is Greg, I have a disability and I have a service dog that helps me through my day. Her name is SSD Nala. The SSD stands for Susquehanna Service Dog. Sometimes I think it stands for Super Smart Dog.
Let me tell you a little about how Nala became a service dog. She started off as a soft and cuddly ball of energy like any black Labrador retriever puppy.
Soon after Nala was born she went to stay with a family that would raise her for the first year. The family is called puppy raisers. The puppy raisers love and socialize the potential service dog. They take the puppy to weekly obedience classes. At the classes the puppy learns what all puppies should learn, sit, and stay, down, just basic obedience.
During this first year the professionals at Susquehanna service dogs were watching Nala and evaluating her all along the way. At the end of the first year Nala was doing so well the professionals thought she may make a good service dog. So they brought her into their kennels to work with professional trainers.
The trainers taught Nala many task and behaviors. Some of the tasks Nala can do are:
1. turn a light switch on and off
2. open and close doors, even the refrigerator door
3. pick up anything I drop on the floor
4. find the cordless phone
5. go find a specific person when I need help
6. assist with undressing, she pulls my jacket sleeve
7. to push buttons for elevators or automated doors
Some of the behaviors Nala learned were:
1. Basic obedience classes
2. how to walk beside my power wheelchair
3. not to eat food on the floor
4. to lie down quietly when I am working or in school
5. to ignore loud noises and other animals
After the professional trainers at SSD were satisfied that Nala could perform all of these task and behaviors she was allowed to meet me.
I went to Harrisburg, Pennsylvania and met several dogs. SSD and I thought Nala would be the best choice as my service dog. I stayed in Harrisburg for several weeks and practiced every day with Nala. SSD was training me to work with Nala in the correct way.
After several weeks Nala and I passed a public access test and became a working team. After passing the test she and I went to a graduation ceremony. At the ceremony I was able to meet her puppy raisers. The puppy raisers were so proud of Nala. It was hard for the puppy raisers to give Nala up but they know how important Nala is to my independence.
Just like other working dogs in the community; guide dogs, police dogs, search and rescue dogs if you see us you should not try to pet Nala because she is working. If you try to pet her you could distract her. As a person with a disability I need Nala to stay alert to meet my needs.
Every year Nala and I go back to Harrisburg to pass the public access test again. Since Nala and I work every day the test is very easy. It's a chance for SSD to see Nala and I and to make sure we are working up to her potential.
Hello, my name is Greg, I have a disability and I have a service dog that helps me through my day. Her name is SSD Nala. The SSD stands for Susquehanna Service Dog. Sometimes I think it stands for Super Smart Dog.
Let me tell you a little about how Nala became a service dog. She started off as a soft and cuddly ball of energy like any black Labrador retriever puppy.
Soon after Nala was born she went to stay with a family that would raise her for the first year. The family is called puppy raisers. The puppy raisers love and socialize the potential service dog. They take the puppy to weekly obedience classes. At the classes the puppy learns what all puppies should learn, sit, and stay, down, just basic obedience.
During this first year the professionals at Susquehanna service dogs were watching Nala and evaluating her all along the way. At the end of the first year Nala was doing so well the professionals thought she may make a good service dog. So they brought her into their kennels to work with professional trainers.
The trainers taught Nala many task and behaviors. Some of the tasks Nala can do are:
1. turn a light switch on and off
2. open and close doors, even the refrigerator door
3. pick up anything I drop on the floor
4. find the cordless phone
5. go find a specific person when I need help
6. assist with undressing, she pulls my jacket sleeve
7. to push buttons for elevators or automated doors
Some of the behaviors Nala learned were:
1. Basic obedience classes
2. how to walk beside my power wheelchair
3. not to eat food on the floor
4. to lie down quietly when I am working or in school
5. to ignore loud noises and other animals
After the professional trainers at SSD were satisfied that Nala could perform all of these task and behaviors she was allowed to meet me.
I went to Harrisburg, Pennsylvania and met several dogs. SSD and I thought Nala would be the best choice as my service dog. I stayed in Harrisburg for several weeks and practiced every day with Nala. SSD was training me to work with Nala in the correct way.
After several weeks Nala and I passed a public access test and became a working team. After passing the test she and I went to a graduation ceremony. At the ceremony I was able to meet her puppy raisers. The puppy raisers were so proud of Nala. It was hard for the puppy raisers to give Nala up but they know how important Nala is to my independence.
Just like other working dogs in the community; guide dogs, police dogs, search and rescue dogs if you see us you should not try to pet Nala because she is working. If you try to pet her you could distract her. As a person with a disability I need Nala to stay alert to meet my needs.
Every year Nala and I go back to Harrisburg to pass the public access test again. Since Nala and I work every day the test is very easy. It's a chance for SSD to see Nala and I and to make sure we are working up to her potential.