9 to 5 With a Working Dog

“Some dogs look like grouches with attitude, some look merely odd, some fit in oven mitts, and some only in the back of pick-up trucks. But say “Golden Retriever” and everybody thinks of long silken hair and feathered legs, kindness, intelligence, attentiveness, loyalty, an easy lope and the best nose in the business, and envies the owner.”

This is certainly true of my Pacific Assistance Dog Society (PADS) Service Dog Breeze, the Golden Retriever.

Back in 2006 I started the process of applying for an assistance dog through PADS. As a quadriplegic woman with cerebral palsy, I am always looking for ways to increase my independence, and I seek every opportunity, tool, and technological advancement that gives me greater independence, especially when I am alone. The idea of a canine assistant to help me cope with the daily challenges of living with a physical disability intrigued me. I knew about PADS and the valuable work they do to raise, train, and place dogs – service, hearing and facility dogs - to become sources of support and independence to people with disabilities across Western Canada.

Even during the application process, I didn’t really think I’d qualify for a PADS dog because I was already pretty independent. My career keeps me busy. My job as a Family & Individual Support Worker for a major disability organization keeps me running around doing advocacy and referral, sitting on committees, running a disability awareness education program for school-age kids, and public speaking engagements. That’s a lot of stuff: not much time left for me, never mind a dog…

But in the spring of 2007 Breeze blew into my life like a hurricane. I should have known something big was up when the voice over the phone asked whether I was sitting down… I’m a quad – I’m always sitting down! The big news was that I had been matched up with a PADS golden retriever named “Breeze.” We were introduced shortly thereafter, and hit if off right away.

We’ve been an efficient working team for over two years now, with only a couple of bumps in the road. She helps me in so many ways – she can turn my apartment lights on or off, open my fridge door, help me get my jacket off, and pick up my TV remote. She can answer my telephone when it rings (well, she brings it to me when it rings – there’s nothing quite like a dog-slobbery telephone receiver…) and she can hand my debit card to a cashier or bank teller. (I haven’t told her my password yet – dogs aren’t known for their fiscal responsibility) And of course she goes well with every outfit; she’s a must-have fashion accessory.

I usually wake up around 7:00 am – but my day doesn’t really begin ‘til my morning help arrives: so PADS Service Dog Breeze’s first job of the day is to distract me from my full bladder. Not a typical service dog chore, but one I greatly appreciate!

She does this by nuzzling my face from the side of my bed – she sits up and lays her beautiful furry golden chin on my mattress. She gets as close as she can without actually breaking the no-bed rule. It’s almost as though she’s reassuring me that my help will be arriving soon, not to worry…

Often I’m planning my day as I lay waiting to be helped out of bed – and PADS Service Dog Breeze seems to listen attentively as I run through my day: “Are all my arrangements in place? Transportation? Meals? Bathroom breaks? Cell phone charged? Water available?” Her wagging tail reminds me – don’t forget the doggie treats!

PADS Service Dog Breeze likes my morning helper – it’s as though she knows this is the person who’s going to get me out of bed, and help us get ready for our day. She answers the door with a growly, tail-waggy, enthusiastic ‘good morning’ bark. And she supervises the morning routine: everything from the first transfer from bed to chair, to the moment I’m washed, brushed, dressed, and about to eat my breakfast.

While my morning routine can sometimes be arduous – it’s not easy for a quadriplegic woman to get into a tailored blazer or fitted blouse – PADS Service Dog Breeze’s dressing routine transforms her from loved companion to no-nonsense professional in the blink of an eye. Or, more accurately, the fastening of a Velcro strap…

When I give the command, she stands at attention, and the PADS vest goes on; that’s when her tail stops wagging, her ears go on high alert, her expression turns serious, and she’s all business.

Then it’s out the door and off to work with PADS Service Dog Breeze by my side.

My work commute means I’ve taken the same train at the same time, several days a week for a number of years. You’d think people would be over the novelty of seeing a dog on the job by now, but they aren’t.

PADS Service Dog Breeze has reached celebrity status, which can be a real pain in the tail when you just want to go home and crash after work, like everybody else. I allow for an extra ten minutes each way now, so that I can accommodate all the folks who want to know about my dog. Sometimes I don’t want to be social, but I always try to smile and use these encounters as opportunities do a little service-dog education. It’s astonishing how many people ask if they can pet my dog, while staring at the large, clear, and graphic “DO NOT PET” sign on her vest…

Even worse are those who don’t ask, and simply ignore the sign…

The fact is, engaging a working animal can be a major distraction, and a distracted dog won’t perform well. Imagine a seeing-eye dog taking its person across a busy street – a distraction could be tragic for both dog and human.

When PADS Service Dog Breeze spends the day in my office, she helps me by picking up the pen I’ve dropped on the floor – and she never seems to get exasperated, even after the fourth or fifth time…

But it’s the times we’re away from the desk and out in the community that she really shines.

When I’m visiting elementary schools with my Disability Awareness Presentation, PADS Service Dog Breeze comes along. I talk to kids about disability issues – how to recognize mobility challenges, seeing disability as a natural aspect of human diversity, and how to support peers who have disabilities. I also demonstrate some adaptive equipment, including my service dog.

Naturally PADS Service Dog Breeze is the star of every show, and when you mix dogs and kids, you get a lot of ‘awwwwwwwww’ moments. The children love it when she demonstrates picking up a dropped item like a TV remote, which even the lowliest mutt can learn to do. They’re amazed when she takes my jacket off for me, however.

Her very presence helps bring attention to attitudinal barriers, and that’s what I really want to address in my presentation.

People who used to avoid making eye contact with the lady in the wheelchair now initiate conversation because they want to know more about Breeze. So she has become much more than a useful and loyal companion who has greatly increased my independence. She’s also a natural ice-breaker who’s with me during my commute, during presentations, during meetings with clients, and on weekends when I work with youth.

I’m convinced she helps bridge all the gaps between me and the people I encounter every day – the generation gap, the social gaps, the abilities gaps, even the language barrier.

All the wonderful attributes that make her a good service dog are the same ones that make her a good dog – she’s loyal and obedient, and she loves me. She’s a source of real pleasure when at the end of the day her working-dog vest comes off and she goes to play at the park like any other dog. And at bedtime, when we’re alone she’s just my good dog, resting at my feet.

PADS Service Dog Breeze has become an integral part of my personal and professional life, and I can’t imagine doing without her now.

For more information on the Pacific Assistance Dog Society (PADS) and to find out how you can help, go to www.pads.ca