Therepy Dog?

WOW! Have we been busy? Where to start? Well, the last post had the photograph of Winston in regards to this random hair loss and odd patch around his eye. I've kept a close eye on it and asked all of the trainers at SSD about it. No one seemed too concerned so I scheduled an appointment at his vet for my next day off (tomorrow). Yes, i've been working full time with SSD. AND IT'S BEEN AMAZING. Winston has done WONDERFUL when he comes along. He settles quickly after meeting dogs, and did not attempt to play with ANY of them (while on duty). I am incredibly proud of him. It's just amazing to watch him work in such high stress situations! Yesterday was by far the toughest day he has had in a VERY long time. We started at 5am. He did some alerts to my nurse/mom so they know i'm awake or ready for more help. Then around 6:30am he got breakfast and had some time to go out back to potty. By 6:45 he is inside on my bed in a down stay while my moms daycare has drop off time. This in and of itself is always a challenge for him. He loves greeting people with loud barks and a wagging tail, but now he has to stay quietly on my bed, for about 25 minutes. Then he got dressed and as always, watches me do my makeup (retrieving things every two seconds haha). By 7:45 we are in the car to make it to transfer* by 9:30am. It was our first day with the new SSD Clients in public! Although it was easier for him in that environment, it was much more challenging for our new partners! The dogs were doing really well all morning. I was so impressed with Winston's behavior while I taught. We worked on the elevators with Erica and SSD Sequoia about four times in a row (that’s eight times passing through it) and he did great every time. He and Sequoia (I can never spell his name right haha) work very nicely side by side! He did a great under for lunch, and then we were headed for the rough afternoon. It was SWELDERING outside! I hated to even walk him across the parking lot. The heat index was 105 degrees! So off we go to our office at KCFS, for what I thought was going to be a simple taping for a promotional video of us demoing what the dogs can do. Boy was I wrong. Winston hadn't been into these office's since last summer (the last puppy class I saw discharged SSD Hopi at, and SSD Voltaire's first puppy class) so he was very sniffy and distracted. Once I got into the room that I once thought was large and now realize is too small for seven service dogs, their partners, five trainers and one nurse, Nancy asks me if I think Winston will lay beside "her" for the 15 minute video. Hesitantly, I said yes. Little did I know what I was getting myself into. After introducing myself to this women and answering her questions about Service Dogs, I start to realize how chaotic this shoot was going to be due to lack of preparation on Keystone's part. Okay, so now they are ready for "the dog". I bring Winston over to the seat where the reader was, and ask where they want him to lay down. After changing their minds a few times they decide that they want him to be sitting because they want a closer shot. Well, if any of you have dogs, you know keeping them in a Sit for 15 minutes is a difficult task, especially from across the room. Alas, we decided to have him curl up in a comfy chair. I do regret not taking any pictures. I am so mad that I didn't!! He was so funny! He kept giving me that "I CANT BELIEVE YOU ARE DOING THIS TO ME" look. After the camera's started rolling, and the lines began to be read, something kept sounding wrong. Finally, I looked at Karen and we both realized THEY WERE CALLING WINSTON A THERAPY DOG. Okay, so I know most people don't understand the difference - but we have to set the standard! If we don't, who will? Luckily our PR trainer was there and Karen quickly found her. I think she "kindly" argued with them for 15 minutes before we had to settle on the line reading "Winston, a service dog who is also a therapy dog...". Two seconds after the video was finished Betsy leaned into me and said "He needs to get his TDI" when I laughed she smiled and said "no...i'm serious. Soon." Haha! After all of that Winston was pretty shot. I tought for a few more hours and then we headed home. He was such an angel!

Eye problem?

I talked to SSD about this, and the director seems to think it is not a problem what so ever. But it is alarming me, and i'm keeping a close eye on it.

1. Notice above his right eye the light colored patch. It is bald and pink. Somewhat raised.

2. Recap: Back when I was @ CHOP Winston was seen for two bald spots on top of his head. Perfectly cemetrical. The dermetologist tested for a few things (Ring Worm, Mange, ect) and it came up negative. They used a fungal spray and antibiotic and it cleared up. SO! Now, under both eyes, he has two small patches beginning to bald!



Comments welcome!