Special Read from our very good friend and expert story teller – Kate Kelly – From Her wonderful Dog Days Of Summer Series:
To read the entire story: Whistle, A Very Important Service Dog
Whistle, A Very Important Service Dog
International Assistance Dog Week (August 4-10) to Honor All Who Raise, Train, and Fund Service Dogs
Whistle, a Labrador/Golden Retriever mix, is owned by Marcie Davis, who in 2009 was the person who succeeded in getting the first full week in August officially dedicated as International Assistance Dog Week. Davis is the Chief Executive Officer of Davis Innovations, a public health and human service consulting firm based in Santa Fe, New Mexico.
“Whistle is my third service dog,” says Davis, who is a paraplegic, paralyzed from from the waist down since she was six years old. “I got my first dog in 1993 and I know what a life-changing difference it made for me.
I am so grateful for all the hours of devotion on the part of puppy raisers and trainers and schools—and all those who donate to the cause—that I just wanted a way to honor the incredible efforts that go into providing these dogs to people with all types of disabilities. It’s life-changing.”
Davis—and Whistle—also devote time to advocating for those who cannot advocate for themselves. They partner on a radio show, “Working Like Dogs” on www.petliferadio.com, and Davis also writes and speaks on topics related to service dogs, disabilities, and independence.
First Thought of Getting a Service Dog
In the early 1990s, Davis and her husband were watching a television documentary on the training of service dogs. “When I saw the possibilities, I became very excited about getting a dog, and my husband agreed it was something I should explore.”
Davis and second dog, MorganDavis, who has a masters degree in library science, was working in the office of the Florida state attorney general’s office in Tallahassee, Florida. She knew that to make a service dog a part of her life, she needed to talk to her employer. If her application for a dog was accepted, she would need two weeks off to attend training, and then everyone in the office needed to be aware that she would be bringing a dog to work with her.
Her office was supportive, her application was accepted, and in 1993 Davis came home with her first service dog, Ramona, trained by Canine Companions for Independence.
“Ramona gave me so much more freedom. I was able to go to more places locally—and drive there myself—because I knew once I arrived anywhere I had Ramona to help me.
“When you are in a wheelchair, dropping things is a real fear,” Davis continues. “I have had more than one occasion when my dog has had to squeeze under the car to retrieve my keys.”
As a result of her increased independence at work, she was soon promoted. She could travel to meetings or go out to supervise other offices independently, and this made a difference in the level of responsibility that could be given to her.
To read the full story visit Kate Kelly’s Website – America Comes Alive:
