Yuka Dawson, Instructor at MercyFirst

Good bye puppies!

4 of the Blueberry's puppies spent three weeks at MercyFirst.
The fluffy puppies bring a lot on the table.
The students learned first hand how to "teach" new skills.
The puppies came to us not knowing their names, or who people are!
The students were responsible for not only teaching basic commands, but also to teach the puppies to trust people and to love people.

In a very short time, puppies taught so much to the students.... the students were patience, consistent, focused, and positive...

Thank you puppies!!

From Aurelie Douay, Instructor at Green Chimneys School

This week we welcomed a new service dog pup, Callie, to the ECAD program at Green Chimneys school. Callie is just two months old and comes to us from FL. Callie, the youngest of our pups in training, has learned a few commnads this week such as sit, down and shake! She also met her new "brothers and sisters" already in training and rode for the first time in the truck from CT to NY. Lots of new people and places for Callie and soooo many things to learn! She is already part of ECAD's family.

From Aurelie Douay, Instructor at Green Chimneys School

School started for our new students at Green Chimneys! Our new pups started school last week and met their trainers. The student trainers had a hard time choosing between these cute little fluff balls and the grown dogs. Anna said "I think I'm ready to train a bigger size dog" while walking on a heel with Hero. Louis decided to find the dog who resembled his last service dog in training. "Pumpkin looks like Compass Junior...he is so laid back!" Pups and trainers had a very busy week. They are learning patience. Flour, our 2 month old yellow lab would say "it's hard to wait in the crate...so sometimes I try calling to my boy!" Or jumping on the box..."Iam almost there" would say Sprinkle, one of our new Golden pups...trying to reach the top of the box with her two back legs.

Yes, it will take almost two years for our ECAD pups to make it as a service dog...but its already a good start!

From Yuka Dawson, Instructor at Mercy First

After the last graudation on Nov. 4th, MercyFirst welcomed 4 of Blueberry's fluff balls: Carmel, Brandy, Nut Meg, and Crisco.
They are the best sleepers ever! The first night away from their brothers and sisters, every single one of them slept 7 hours without having accidents.
All of them are very calm puppies!

Mercy First boys are having the best time. The advantage of having puppies is that the boys can experience "teaching" a simple task and experience an immediate success. Each student is paired with another trainer and the pair is assigned to a pup and an intermediate dog.

I am expecting my students to grow tremendously as trainers after working with an advanced dog for the first 2 months, then moving down to intermediate dogs and puppies.

It's a joy to watch my students' eyes light up with small successes they have with the puppies.

Photo: Bilal with Crisco

From Chris Conforti, Instructor at Childrens Village

Sierra thinks: I am lucky because I get to stay with David. Most of the other dogs are new to class here. I first met David when he first came to dog training in September. I knew more than David so I had to train him. Now he knows more than me so he is teaching me. I am trying to learn turning on a light and I need more practice picking stuff up. I still like to challenge David - I love to see him frustrated. In the end I let David win because he is a good teacher and leader. David, I know with your help I'll make a good Service Dog. Thanks!

From Aurelie Douay, Instructor at Green Chimneys School

All the dogs are ready to explore the world! (or the farm...its a good start)
Their students look a little bit nervous and excited at the same time for this new experience.

Rosies's pups (Compass, Fern, Lilly, Jansmine, Iris), our black labs Dixie and Missy followed by our Great Dane, Yoda are READY TO GO!

But what are our pups thinking while we are heading to the farm?

Lily looks very excited: "Where are we going, where are we going?"
"What is this smell...?" while Compass is looking back and forth between the farm and his trainer.

"Hey! Look over there. What is that? Can't really be a pup...too big for that... it looks a bit like Yoda" wonders Jasmine. "I'm not really sure that I like it! My boy siad it was a HORSE mmmmmm but should I be scared?"

Oh no, my boy said that I don't have to be worried about it. "Now it is just me and my boy. We are both together, cuddling up, watching this huge thing moving around!" "Hey, I think I like it, and my boy too! He is smiling at me and petting me! I think I really love that!" Jasmine now settles her heard in her trainer's lap.

"Hey Dixie come have a look!" Fern says. Dixie gets closer the fence. "Yeah! But you know what? I see it but I prefer to be next my girl!"

Yoda and his trainer are now looking at the horse. Yoda wonders if he'll get that tall.

That was a fun day! Children and pups are tired after all the stimulation. Time for puppy nap time. Dreaming about the farm and we'll be back soon.

Yuka Dawson, Instructor from MercyFirst

Reptiles on the Move!
A few varieties of reptiles visited the campus of MercyFirst!

My afternoon group was the lucky one and got to meet the reptiles.
Of course, the students brought their dogs along.

As the reptiles were handed over, the dogs just sat and stayed under the chair.
Good thing, none of them (both dogs and students) freaked out because of the reptiles!

It was an odd, but a fun experience to touch different kinds of reptiles.

Whatever the animal it is, they are all soothing and put a smile on everyone's faces!

Yuka Dawson, Instructor at MercyFirst

Therapy Dogs at MercyFirst are training for a 5K run!

Cass, Mitsu, and Glory are exercised everyday on MercyFirst's campus.
Eight chosen students, I call them "Assistants," jog with the dogs everyday.

It all started to get the therapy dogs back to their healthy weight.
Daily cookies slowly added pounds around their weist and next thing you know, the dogs were a few pounds overweight...

After two weeks of running and restrictions on cookies, they are looking slim and beautiful.
(I wish I can loose the weight that easily!)
The students learned the importance of being healthy and staying trim.

Now, the dogs are training for The Bridie Goldstein 5K Run for Children that takes place in Syosset, NY on Nov. 28th.

Anyone would smile watching Jacob and Cass running around the track!!

Yuka Dawson, Instructor from MercyFirst

Wesley, a veteran student trainer from MercyFirst, got to meet the Dog Whisperer, Ceser Millan!
Ceser was at Book Revue for book signing for his new book, "How to Raise a Perfect Dog." No dogs were allowed in the book store, but Service Dog in training, Angel, was allowed!!
Wesley shook the legend's hand, had his book signed, and gave him ECAD's information.
We are hoping that he will visit our program one day :)

From Wasabi, Service Dog in Training

IT'S OUT TEENAGERS!!! THEY'RE BACK! I just love my teenagers. Now I know why they brought us back. these are the ones who teach us everything. There are others who give us our baths and cut our nails, they aren't trainers, but some kind of assistants. They're so gentle when they cut our nails that I don't mind a bit. I really could use a bath too.

I'm not too good at teenagers names, so I'm going to make them all up. there's a tall one, we'll call him Alan. He's a trainer. Dunkin is walking him. Now Dunkin is dragging him towards Jeanie. Jeanie won't say hi to Dunkin, but she talks to Alan. Now Alan is making himself more important than Jeanie. Dunkin should know that the human holding the leash is the most important one in your life at that moment. Sometimes we forget when we get excited. Even Elli forgets when she sees Lu or Dale, because she loves them so much. Alan did a good job with Dunkin, now he's the only human Dunkin sees.

Now here's Bob. He's new. It's hard for the new teenagers. They have to learn our commands, and there are a lot of them. We try to get away with things when we have new teenagers. It's not fir, but we're teenagers too, just in dog years. Bob keeps saying "no." That never works. Oh, he learns fast! Now he's saying "watch me" and "leave it." I knew it wouldn't last. These new teenagers are really samart!

It's Yuka! I love Yuka! She trains the teenagers. She loves all of us, and takes us back to our kennel at Childrens Village every night. She is so patient.

Now Yuka is having the teenagers take us to class. I walk nicely beside my teenager, I'll call him Carl. We're playing "light" and "switch." I'm short, but I can just reach the light. We turn the lights off and on for humans who can't reach them, but only when they tell us to. I'm a little nervous when we play "tug." I like pulling on the rope, but it's attached to something and it's noisy. Oh, it's just the thing they put the laundry in. I guess I can handle it.

We get different teenagers and classes about four times a day. They love to play things like "get it, bring it here, and drop it." They give us really good treats too. At Jeanie's house we just get kibble, but here we get a real treat! I love to learn new things so that can make the teenagers happy. When a teenager is happy, it's the best thing in the world! I look up at Carl and I love him. I think he loves me too.

Classes are over and I'm in my kennel. I'm really hungry. Here's dinner and not a moment too soon! i eat my delicious kibble and I'md drifting off to sleep. I wonder where I'll be tomorrow.

From Wasabi, Service Dog in Training

It's good morning time, and I really have to go! I'm so glad these humans get up early. Whew, I feel better now, and it's time to eat! I eat, then rest. I wonder what we're going to do today?

We're going in the car! I'm getting to like this car, even without air conditioning. Why are they putting my kennel in the back? Shanee and Jeanie are coming, but Elli is staying home. It's a very small car, so I guess Elli would be more comfortable at home.

I know these scents! I sit up after what seems like hours of driving, and we're at my school, Mercy First! I love my school. I can't wait to see my kennel mates. I should call them classmates, as we all go to school together. There's my sister! Oh, I have to "get busy" I'm so excited. We have to catch up. Wow, everyone got to go with a human for a while. I think mine were best. I'm not the only one with another dog either, but I bet they weren't as nice as Elli and Shadow. No one else had a baby either, or a gas station on the corner. I must have gotten all that because I'm so good. Hey, Dunkin's back. Hiya Dunkin. Weren't you at Elli's house too?

Okay, we said hi, let's go home. Hey, why are you bringing my kennel in there? I don't get it. I'm inside our run, and Jeanie's outside. Here's Shanee, maybe she'll bring me outside again. Kennel up? Okay. I guess I'll be here a while.

From Wasabi, Service Dog in Training

Now is the time I get to stay outside with Shanee and Mikey. We watch all the people go by and I don't bark! Shanee plays "watch me" all the time when we're out there. I'm getting more used to the people going by, but when they come in the house, I get a little too excited. I think it's the different noises I hear. They make me a little nervous, so I bark to make sure someone else is paying attention. I only bark once, but I have to learn to be quiet.

Dinner time! My favorite kibble again. Now I have to lie quietly in my kennel for a while so I don't get sick. Big dogs like us can get a sickness called "bloat" which is very dangerous. We could even die. That's why we always have to lie quietly for about 20 minutes after we eat. I like that. I always like to take a nap after I eat, don't you?

We're going for another walk, but just a short one this time. I think Jeanie wants me to get used to going out at night. This street is a little quieter. There's a barking dog! Wow, if I ever barked like that, I would flunk out of the ECADemy! I look, but don't bark back, because I'm playing "watch me" Now I'm a good Wasabi! I like that!

That was a short walk, but very educational. Not every dog is as well behaved as me and my kennel mates. I'm so proud of myself. Now I'm starting to understand that we're very special. All those dogs that are left outside because they don't know how to help their humans are very sad. They're bored and they need a job. They want their humans to spend more time with them, but they don't know how to train the humans and the humans don't know how to train them. I'm really glad I'm an ECAD dog.

We're relaxing now, and I'm getting my ears scratched, because I'm such a good dog. I love having my ears scratched! I love being such a good dog. The doorbell rings and Shadow barks. It wasn't me! Jeanie just says "Shadow" and she stops. It's a man named Paul. He's a landlord, whatever that is. He loves dogs, especially Elli. Elli says that she's known him for years. He used to bring his kids over to play with her when she wasn't working. Elle gets a nice belly rub from him and he visits with everyone for a while. He said he was going for a walk, but he didn't even hav e a dog! I thought he was going to borrow one of us, but he went by himself. What a strange human. Nice, but very strange - going for a walk without a dog.

We're going to be early tonight, but that's okay, I'm tired. We did a lot of new things today. I wonder what tomorrow will bring.

From Rachel, Instructor at JBCFS

“Eight Pack”

Part 1: Everything is New!

Cast of Characters:

Litter Mates 1:
Caprice: Female Black Lab
Captain: Male Black Lab
Stark: Male Black Lab
Hulk: Male Black Lab

Litter Mates 2:
Eli: Male Golden Retriever
Stutz: Male Golden Retriever

Extras:
Romeo: Male Yellow Lab
Morsel: Male Chocolate Lab
Rachel: ECAD Instructor

This pack of eight is truly starting a new adventure in their lives, let's watch as it starts to unfold…

Setting:

The first Monday morning of school in a pen outside of the ECAD classroom on the campus of JBCFS in Hawthorne, NY.

“Everything is new!” Morsel states to who ever will listen.
Attempting to do a back flip over Caprice, Stutz pants, “When are the teens getting here? I want the same one from last year!”
“Did you see all the goose poop out there? G-O-O-S-E P-O-O-P!!” Hulk whoops as he stares through the fence panel.
“Don’t you get it man, this is all new. A new kennel, new dogs, new school, and I bet that even means new trainers”, huffs Stark.
Caprice wrinkles her nose at Hulk. “What is this place?” she quietly asks glancing around at the nearby buildings.
Romeo grins at her, “This is school. Haven’t you ever been to school? Oh girl, this is going to be fun!”
Doing his best to place a body block on his brother while keeping an eye out for Rachel, Eli ends up bumping clumsily into the fence, “What I want to know is why we are not still at the old kennel, with the other dogs, and why do we need new trainers?”
Captain sidles up to Caprice winking at her, “Don’t worry sis, school is fun. The best thing is we get to train our own teens. Everyone calls them ‘trainers’, but us dogs are the real trainers. We train them to play with us, take us for walks, hug and snuggle with us, give us treats, and even pick up our poop. We even trained Aurelie, Dale, and Rachel to drive us around last year in the pick-up!”
The boys fall to the ground seized by side-splitting laughter as Caprice flicks her ear trying to figure all of this newness out.

Previously:

Last school year the boys lived at the ECAD kennel facility in Torrington, CT and were in ECADemy Elementary School at Green Chimneys while Caprice took private classes in Maine with a puppy raiser where she lived for approximately 8 months.
This school year, the “Eight Pack” will be attending ECADemy Middle School at JBCFS. They have also moved to Dobbs Ferry, NY to the ECAD kennel facility on the campus of Children’s Village. Here they have met many new dogs and remade acquaintance with some of the older dogs, which had visited them last year in Torrington.

Rachel will also be starting a new adventure! Last year she was an Assistant Instructor-in-Training under Dale at Green Chimneys. She will take the lessons she has learned from many paths to develop her first ECAD class as an Instructor.

From Wasabi, Service Dog in Training

It's good morning time again! Elli and I go "get busy" (Shadow is still asleep, she was out late last night) and then it's time to eat! I love my kibble. There aren't any toys out now - Jeanie says three dogs and one toy won't work so we play "watch me" and "get the phone."

Mikey is still throwing things out his kennel, oh,that's right, it's a playpen for humans, and Shadow stole one! Uh oh. Roger has her bring it back to Mikey and told her to "leave it." She's going to help with the laundry instead. I love to help with the laundry. Shadow says her favorite thing is opening the refrigerator, but it's usually Elli who gets to do that. Shadow said that when she was little she used to steal the food. Once she ate a whole soda bread right off the table, and another time, she took a pepper out of the refrigerator! Now she knows that it's not right to take the humans' food, but back then she didn't know any better. Before she came to live here, she was lost, and had to sleep outside in the snow and find her food where ever she could. I'm glad I'm an ECAD dog because I'll always have a warm kennel and plenty of food, and good humans.

Elli and I are going to the store! Thee is a gas station on the corner here, and we're going to it. We'll get to see some different humans and I won't bark. Here we go. Elli is off leash - she goes here alone sometimes when Jeanie needs help. That's when she "speaks." It took a long time for Elli to learn to speak; I hope it doesn't take me as long to learn to be quiet. I'm right next to Jeanie. There are a lot of different kinds of cars, and they're all moving. Elli is on Jeanie's other side. She says Jeanie will watch out for the cars and won't let us get hurt, but we have to sty right by her side. No problem there.

Here's a human. Elli is giving him a dollar and he's giving Elli something. She gets to go into the store all by herself. She says Jeanie can't always get in, because there's a step. I wonder what Elli has? It's in a bag, and she carrie it all the way home. Boy, she's strong. All the people say what good dogs we are. I'm so proud of myself - I didn't bark!

From Wasabi, Service Dog in Training

Shadow is a lot of fun! She's older than me, but younger than Elli. We're not allowed to play in the house and we can't roughouse outside, but we played with my Kong ball together, and we played at practicing our commands. Shadow said that Jeanie found her when she was just six month old and living on the street. She was afraid of everything including humans. In another place, the humans used to hit her and the other dogs attaceked her. That would NEVER happen around here. Jeanie spent a long time getting her to be confident. She used to bark all the time. She siad it took eight months for her to stop barking every time she heard a sound, but now she's better. Now, she's not afraid of anything. She lives in Hempstead with Roger, and jumps up on him before he has a seizure. Normally, we wouldn't jump on anyone, but sometimes that's the only way to get Roger to sit down before he has a seizure.

Jeanie took me somewhere new for our nighttime walk. I still get a little nervous at night - things move so quickly and there are more shadows. We went to a diner - not inside, but up a ramp and to the door. Then someone named Katy came out to see us. I wanted to go in, but Jeanie said I'm not ready yet. I guess she's right, because I tried to pull her in, which I'm not supposed to do but she remineded me to "sit" and I remembered my manners.

On the way home, we met a lady and her little girl. They were a little bit afraid of me, but they're afraid of all dogs, except Elli. Everyone loves Elli! I want them to love me too, so I sat and shook hands and was very polite. I only tried to sniff a little. Then, a whole car full of people stopped! They said I was soooo cute! They didn't get out, which was good, because there were a lot of them, and I get a little nervous around a lot of people at once.

Now, we're home! I'm so excited I'm running as fast as I can around the backyard! I LOVE going back home, even if it's Elli's home and not mine. I'm safe here. Someday, when I graduate and get my own human, I'll have my own home, and Elli can come and visit. We play "sit" and "down" and then it's time for bed.

From Wasabi, Service Dog in Training

Sorry....I'm a little late reporting on my weekend!

It's Saturday! I don't know what that means, but the humans love Saturdays. Today, we're going to play "get the phone!" First, we have our morning routine. I already know where to "get busy" in the backyard. There are a lot more "neighbors" around, especially the kids. I love neighbors now, and when we're in front of our house, I don't bark at them anymore. I still have to bark when they come in, and sometimes when we go for a walk, but we're working on that.

Mornings sure are easy around here. First, I get busy in our special spot in the backyard. Elli always goes after me, and right on top of where I went! She says that's because it's really her yard and that's how she let's all the other dogs know. Then we go in and eat (I LOVE to eat) and we take a half hour nap.

Now we're going to play "GET THE PHONE!" I'm so excited. There's a black thing on the floor. I wonder if Mikey threw it there. No, Shanee is pointing to it and saying "get the phone." When I look at it she says "that's it!" I got it! I bring it to Shanee and I get a piece of kibble. My favorite! Now Jeanie's saying "get the phone." It magically appeared on the floor again.

I must have gotten the phone 10 times! Now, Jeanie's saying "get the phone" again, but it's not on the floor! Where could it be? She points to a black thing -but it's not lying on the floor! It's upright, and I'm a little confused. I go to look at it and - "that's it!" I pick it up - it's a little different to pick it up when it's not lying down - and I ge a GOOD WASABI and a treat! I'm in heaven. I guess that thing is a "phone" no matter where it is. I want to play this game a lot.

Now we're going to play "out back." That's what everyone calls it here. Elli and I go out with Jeanie, Shanee and Mikey. Elli likes to roll around in the grass, but I like to run, run, run. Uh oh, I ran right into Elli and knocked her down! I kissed her to make it better (that's what the humans think, but I'm really telling her she's the boss), and she's okay. She wants to play with me! We chase the ball (
Elli lets me win) and play "sit" and "wait." It's time to eat.

What a nice meal! Kibble is my favorite. We're all taking a nap now, so that when we get up, we'll have the energy to do something else.

That nap went so quickly. We're getting ready to do the laundry and ....THERE'S ANOTHER DOG! Where did she come from? Jeanie is taking her to meet me in the front of the house. She's HUGE! Her name is Shadow and she's a German Shepherd. She's a seizure alert dog for Shanee's father, Roger. She says she used to live here, and they're coming to visit for a couple of days.

Shadow knows all our commands!

From Dunkin, Service Dog in Training

3:00 pm
We're done for the day. Now I'll go home with Yuka and ...what's this? Where are these humans taking me and IN WHAT? That's not our truck! The older dog (her name is Elli May) is already in the thing...LOAD. load where? There are two humans, two Service Dogs, a wheelchair and my kennel (I'm so glad I have something from home) and we're all squished into this thing they call a subcompact car. Of course, I'm in the back and Elli May is in the front. Talk about low dog on the totem pole! WHERE'S THE AIR CONDITIONING? We're driving but the scents are different. I don't think they know the way home. I'll just wait patiently until they figure it out. Humans always do.

We've stopped and are getting out. First Jeanie then Elli May, Shanee is next and I finally get out. They're taking Elli and me to the street side of the house. What a busy street! Elli likes me! She really likes me! THERE'S A HUGE KENNEL DRIVING UP THE STREET! Elli says it's okay. Jeanie calls it a truck. That's a big truck but they're not worried, so I'm not either. Time to get busy.

We're going into the the building called a house. There are other humans here and one is really small. He's in something that looks like a crate but it has no top. They're introducing us. He's called Mikey or the baby. Hi Mikey I'm Dunkin. Can I have your.,.WHAT was that noise? Jeanie's calling me. I go and she says GOOD and pets me. I like when they pet me but if I try to nudge them to pet me some more, they say NO and ignore me.

There are a lot of things called NO in this place especially around the food and a place called the kitchen. It smells SO GOOD in there. Shanee is bringing me to Mikey. She says DUNKIN SIT and GOOD SIT and I'm very proud of myself. Mikey pets me. He's a little rough but Shanee is right here to make sure it doesn't hurt and he doesn't go too close to my eyes. I REALLY LIKE WHEN THEY PET ME. Shanee takes me out to GET BUSY again. This is called a yard. There are so many new smells here! I want to go and...but I have to GET BUSY first. NOW WE'RE PLAYING. I can run in the yard and have fun! I love the yard.

Dinner time. The humans eat first, right in front of us! Ill just lie here like Elli does. She's been patient with me and shows me how to act in the house. We'll get along fine. Elli eats next. She has GOOD food! Finally, I get to eat in my kennel. Kibble, my favorite! Soon I'll get a drink of water and then go and GET BUSY. It's 7:30. Everthing's done and it's time to relax. Jeanie's calling me. We're going for a walk! She knows the STEP command! I'm really good at that. STEP, WAIT, STEP, WAIT. GOOD DUNKIN! Now we're walking and there is a lot of commotion. It's a Police Car she tells me. No problem. There's a Kennel with sirens coming down the road. Fire truck, she mentions and we just ignore it. We get to run together. I'm at a perfect SIDE and I can keep us. YES, GOOD BOY! I'm a good boy. I have to get busy but she seems to Know. I get busys and Yes, I'm good. Boy am I tired. My first day with these handlers was really busy. I'm so proud of myself. Jeanie said I was GOOD when I ignored those fire tgrucks, ambulances, plice cars, sirens lights and whistles. They seem to know I'm tired. Shanee has me KENNEL UP and its' good. Time to sleep.

From Dunkin, Service Dog in Training

Hi, I'm Dunkin and I'm a GOOD DOG. I live in a kennel with 20 other guys like me and I'm learning how be a Service Dog which is a GOOD BOY who knows how to help people. This morning five of us came in the truck with Yuka for that long ride down to Mercy First.

I'm so excited. This is my school! Our trainers are called at-risk teenagers. I don't know waht that means BUT I LOVE THEM SO MUCH! i CAN'T WAIT...but I'm waiting because I'm GOOD DUNKIN!

Who are these people? Where are my teenagers... and what is that older dog doing here???? I'll just wait and see what happens. Oh, this is fun. They have no idea what to do with me. Yuka is talking to them. Let's see if I can walk the human...WHOOPS! She learned how to correct me. They learn fast. I'll just bide my time and...THERE'S A COOKIE RIGHT BY MY NOSE!!!! Wait for it..wait for it...She said LEAVE IT, but if I catch her at the right moment, I think I can get it. Here I go, she's not looking ...Just a minute more...another inch and I've got...OH NO, WHERE DID THAT NOISE COME FROM??? My human is calling me, she'll protect me. Oh, that's nice. She said GOOD LEAVE IT! I'm so happy.

They gave me another human to train. This one uses a wheelchair. Service Dogs know all about wheelchairs. If we're really GOOD DOGS we get to help people like this one. Sometimes the person with a disability uses crutches or canes. other times, they don't have any of those things but we have to do special things for them to help them out.

This one has everything backwards. HEEL you foolish human! I'm supposed to be on your LEFT. Oh wait. I remember - SIDE means I go on your RIGHT. How silly of me to forget something that simple. I guess it's because my teenagers have been away on vacation for a while.

She seems to know what she's doing. She seems pretty confident for someone who can't use a choke collar. She said DUNKIN, SIT but I'm going to wait and see if she really means OH NO SHE'S IN MY FACE. I didn't know people wh used wheelchairs could get so big. I'm sitting and I'm a GOOD DUNKIN! Whew Yuka is talking to the humans now, saying something about controlling space and being above a dog. That's what the alphas do. I think I get it. These new humans are to be our alphas. That's good because I wouldn't know what to do if I had to be the alpha.

From Wasabi, Service Dog in Training

WE'RE GOING FOR A WALK! I LOVE walks. This is a very long walk. We're going into "town" whatever that is. Jeanie and I play "watch me" all the way. I'm good at playing watch me. There's a human Should I bark? I usually bark when I see a human...but we're playing "watch me" again. Oh, now we're playing "sit,stay and watch me." Where did the human go? Oh well, maybe I'll bark next time.

There sure a are a lot of humans in this "town" place. I'm getting ready to bark, but before I can even open my mouth, Jeanie says "watch me." I don't think I'll ever get a chance to bark again.

Whew, back home (that was a long walk) and I'm back with Elli. She gets to open the refrigerator and takes something out for Shanee. I can't wait until it's my turn. We're taking a nap now. I really need it.

Now we're playing "get it." I have to wait until my nose is pointing in the right direction, then either Shanee or Jeanie says "get it" and I pick up whatever is right in front of me. Then I "bring it" to whoever wants it. It's so much fun! Sometimes, not always, but sometimes, I get a treat for bringing it.

Tomorrow, we're going to play "get the phone." I heard that's very important for humans. Elli tells me that once, when Jeanie's mother was sick, she had to "get the phone" and "bring it" all the way up the stairs! She saved a life!

Its's SUPPERTIME! Did I say how much I love to eat? I'm sitting, waiting patiently in my kennel, and waiting for "watch me." Here it is, and I get my delicious kibble. Now, I have at least a half hour of peace and quiet, so I can digest my food properly, then it's PLAY TIME! I love play time. I have my own Kong, but I don't get peanut butter yet. She said that's because Jeanie is her human and when I get my own human I might get peanut butter too.

Elli is getting dressed to go out. I don't like that. I want to "get dressed" too, but I'm not ready yet. Shanee and Jeanie have to take another class, and then we have a test before we go out together. Maybe when I go to high school I'll get to "get dressed" and go to work with my teenagers.

Elli is back! She said they went to the supermarket. SHE GETS TURKEY! Oh, I can't wait to get a human. They make such good companions if you train them right and really need our help. Elli tells me she pulls Jeanie's wheelchair through the supermarket and gets things off the shelves for her. Then she carries a bag of food to the car without eating any of it. I could do that! I don't know how to "pull" yet but I know how to "get it" and "bring it." When we go walking, I'm always right next to the wheelchair. I can't wait.

We're taking it easy now. Elli, Jeanie and I are on the floor. Part of me always has to touch Elli - it makes me feel comfortable. I hope my new haman has a dog like Elli. Mikey is in his kennel and he keeps throwing things to us, but he doesn't say "get it" so we ignore him (unless we want him to pet us, then Shanee or Jeanie brings us to his kennel and says "careful" and he reaches over to pet our backs." We don't let him too close to our eyes. he keeps trying to catch my tail, but it's almost alway wagging and someone always stops him.

Jeanie is going to wash our ears, which me makes me feel so much better and soon we'll all "kennel up" and go to sleep for the night. When Jeanie washes our ears we sometimes get to "jump on" so she can reach us better. She doesn't get up and down very easily but Elli helps her. She says "stand" then leans on Elli to get up. I'm too short to help her get up, but I'm really strong! Maybe my human will be shorter and I can help them. I'll "stand" still for as long as it takes for them to get off the floor.

Even though Elli gtets to sleep next to Jeanie's bed I sleep in my kennel in aonther room. I don't mind. I love my kennel. It makes me feel safe. If I'm tired and we're not doing anything I go into my kennel to take a nap. The first night I was here I was so tired that I "kenneled up" at 9:00 before they even told me to! I'm such a GOOD WASABI!

From Wasabi, Service Dog in Training

It's good morning time! Yep - 6:30 on the dot. Here comes Jeanie. We go out and I get busy (which means I toilet outside) and I hear "good get busy!" Now it's time to eat. I LOVE to eat! I go into my kennel and wait patiently...soon, it's coming. OH I have to sit and "watch" Jeanie before I can eat. Okay, I'm sitting and watching and NOW I'M EATING! I need a nap.

They have a couple of other humans here. One is really little. He has a funny looking Kennel which is open on the top. They call it a playpen. His name is Mikey. He's very lound for a human, but he pets me. Sometimes he's a little rough, but I don't mind, I can always walk away. He has a command too. When he pets us, Shanee tells him "careful."

There are two other men here too. There's big Mike, who is very quiet and Jeff who is not here all the time. Both of them can pet me when I'm not wearing my leash. I love when they pet me! Mike is learning some of my commands like "kennel up." A lot of people come to this house to visit the humans. There's Stan, who smells like cars - Ellis says he fixes them. Then there's John who comes to see us dogs. I think he likes to talk to the humans too, but he LOVES me and Elli. Then there are pople called the neighbors - there are a lot of them. Some are old, some are young, and some are teenagers! They don't know our commdands though, so I just sit and shake with them, as long as I don't bark. I have to be calm and play "watch me" before I can meet anybody.

There are a lot of humans outside too. Every afternoon, Shanee takes me outside to watch the kids who go to school around the block. Yesterday, I only barked once. I just couldn't help it - I was so excited! I'll do better tomorrow, but I think I was pretty good today. Shanee said I was a "good Wasabi," so I'm happy.

More tomorrow...

From Wasabi, Service Dog in Training

I've never seen a car like this one. It's so small. These humans seem to know my commands, and we're going for a ride. I love rides, but I alsways have to lie down and can't look out the windows. Finally, we stop and walk close to the street. THERE'S ANOTHER DOG!!! She's old. Her name is Elli May and she says she's been working for Jeanie for almost 10 years now. She says if I'm good, she'll teach me a few things. I'll be good. I hope she likes me.

Elli says this place is her home. I like that word. She says that when my training is all over they bring in some humans that need assistance dogs, and we get to pick one! I can't wait. I don't know if I want a boy or a girl or maybe an older person, but I want a HOME and my own special human like Elli has.

After dinner, Jeanie let me help her with the laundry. It's so much fun taking the clothes out of the dryer and handing them to her. She says "good" and "thank you" every time. Someone trained her very well. Then Shanee took me for a nice long walk. Elli and I snuggled for a little while. She likes me and Elli doesn't always like puppies (even though I'm already a year old, she still calls me a "puppy") so I'm really proud of myself.

I's time for bed. You don't have to say "kennel Up" twice to me! I just want to sleep for a while.

From Wasabi, Service Dog in Training

Hi, I'm Wasabi and I'm training to be a Service Dog. I'm just a year old but I know more than 60 commands already and I'm REALLY GOOD!
My training started right after I was born. Every time I ate, a human would talk to me. Now every time I hear a human voice, it reminds me of those cuddly, happy times with my mommy and siblings. Sometimes, I had to climb over some gravel to get to my mommy and eat. Other times, there was a rug, or some tile. This helped me learn that I can walk on anything and I would get something really good just as soon as I got over the obstacle.
When I was eight weeks old I went to school. There I met at-risk teenagers. I love teenagers! They get so excited when I learn something new and they tell me what a GOOD WASABI I am.
One day, all the teenagers went away and I was almost all alone. They call it summer. I still had Yuka, the trainer, and Lu and Dale would come by and there were other humans and dogs but I really missed my teenagers. I wish they would come back.
Someone is coming to the kennel! Maybe it's my teenagers - no, it's someone named Shanee. She's young, but not a teenager. She's taking me out! Now she's handing me over to someone called Jeanie. She's in a wheelchair. I'm so excited...I think I'll run over there...whoops, I shouldn't have dragged Jeanie. Okay, I'm back and I'm a GOOD DOG.
More tomorrow.

From the ECAD Office

DOGS JUST WANNA HAVE FUN! Most of our schools are closed during late August. So, most of our dogs have some vacation time. They're enjoying time with Home Handlers. The dogs are also getting some intensive training from our trainers before school starts.

On August 5th over 100 people attended ECAD's graduation at Green Chimneys School. We shared good food, good company and the opportunity to see first hand how Marley, Pepsi, Mayer and Garrison are improving the lives of four children and their families. Additionally, Rachel Southworth, Marcy Gray, Sheila Cothran and Aurelie Douay received "diplomas" from Train the Trainer.

From the ECAD office

Bella, Lu's Great Dane, had a long labor and delivery on July 21 and 22. On July 23 she gave us a scare when she developed a fever. It turned out Bella needed an emergency c section to remove a dead puppy nobody knew about. Fortunately, Bella is recovering quickly and taking excellent care of her babies.

Russell, a golden retriever/lab is the proud dad of these 9 black, adorable pups. The puppies will be trained by ECAD and other Service Dog providers to see if they make good balance dogs for taller adults. We'll keep you posted.

From the ECAD Office

We're thankful for the help of Jenna Cooper, our summer intern. Jenna has scanned all our dog records into the computer. She's also done web research and other tasks to help us out. Thanks Jenna!

News from the Torrington Kennel

We recently took some of the ECAD dogs to the Mystic Aquarium in Mytic, CT. The dogs included Gigi, Brownie, Angel and Sierra who were all handled by the Torrington volunteers. (in photo: Mitchel, Amanda, Cecilia, Jacob, Sarah, Hayden and Hunter) This trip was made possible by the Mystic Team that we contacted. We would like to give a special thanks to Ashley Holtt, and Allison Tuttle from Mystic Aquarium who made this possible. We're looking forward to our next visit to the Aquarium before the end of the summer.

From the ECAD Office

Train the Trainer began today. This is a six week long class taught by Lu Picard. By the end of the six weeks the five students should be expert trainers. Of course the dogs are benefiting from this class also!

From the ECAD Office

The Dobbs Ferry dog training center is undergoing a facelift. Our painter (Auggie Doggie) is hard at work giving the whole place a fresh coat of paint before Summer School starts on July 1. We've picked some new, modern colors and its looking great! So far, no tails have accidentally wagged on the wet walls!

From the ECAD Office

June 23

Today, we all got involved in a photo shoot. Susie Powers volunteered to take pictures for our 2010 school themed ECAD calendar. She arrived with a trunk full of photography equipment and props.

The Student Trainers, Lu Picard, Chris Conforti and I all wrangled the dogs. We dressed Glory and Blip as Romeo and Juliet in the school play. Shamrock, wearing a baseball cap, is driving the school bus while Aries, Garrison, Clover and Dunkin wearing their backpacks board the bus.


Other shots include lunch in the cafeteria, baseball out on the field and art class.


The calendar will be for sale starting in October for $10.

Judi Knispel

From the ECAD Office

June 22, 2009


Welcome to summer! Hopefully the rain will end soon.

Lu’s dog, Bella Shea or Belle, has been acting strange lately. She has become more affectionate, tired and hungry. Why…because Belle is expecting puppies! On or about July 19 we’ll have five or more special puppies.

Belle is a Great Dane while the father, Russell, is a Golden Retriever/Lab mix. Russell has successfully sired many wonderful ECAD dogs in the past. The idea behind this is to breed larger dogs as good balance dogs for tall disabled adults.

We’ll keep you posted.

Project Heal

Project HEAL® is a new program offered by East Coast Assistance Dogs.

The program honors and empowers Wounded Warriors by providing specially trained Service Dogs to increase independence and make a difference in their lives.

Visit our new Project Heal® website here.

April Volunteer of the Month

Our April Volunteer of the Month award goes to Barbara Thanner for her outstanding dedication and tireless work towards preparation of Family Fun Day. She is a reliable volunteer who is always willing to help at drop of a hat. ECAD is very fortunate to have her on board with us. Thank you Barbara!


Click here to read more about Barbara.

Family Fun Day

Come out and support East Coast Assistance Dogs in their annual Family Fun Day! Rides, attractions, games, demos and great food!
Date: Sunday, April 26, 2009
Time: 12:00pm - 4:00pm
Location: Dobbs Ferry River Front Park
City/Town: Dobbs Ferry, NY

UPDATE: Family Fun Day raised $27,000!!! Thank you very much for all of your contributions to Family Fun Day.
The day turned out to be gorgeous, and the 9th Family Fun Day was a huge success!
Dispite the recession, we were able to raise more money than last year.
We are very grateful for your support.
This year, we will be able to sponsor 4 Service Dogs for the clients in need.
Please extend our gratitude to your family and friends who came to our events.
Thank you!!

Meet the Parents (Dad)

Here is the video of Blip, the father of ECAD's newest puppies.

Don't forget to visit our puppies as well!

From An Iraq Veteran

17 years of military service including two combat tours in Iraq, left me with many physical and psychological wounds. Three fractured vertebrae, traumatic brain injury (TBI), hearing loss, chronic bilateral leg pain, post traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) and irritable bowel syndrome are among the debilitating medical conditions I face each day.

In November 2008, I had the great fortune of being introduced to East Coast Assistance Dogs (ECAD) and their new program for disabled veterans. Director and Master Trainer Lu Picard and her incredible team partnered me with Tuesday, a handsome 2-year-old golden retriever, fully trained as a service dog. Ever since, Tuesday and I have been inseparable.

But Tuesday is no regular service dog. For not only is he the product of careful breeding and superb training, he is extraordinarily perceptive. This rare quality enables him to sense my needs as well as convey his. Tuesday helps me walk with balance – something trivial to many but difficult for me. He is able to retrieve virtually anything I need thereby alleviating much of the physical stress I had before. But Tuesday is more than just an animal that obeys commands. His sunny disposition brightens my days and calms my nights. He sees me through the many terrible symptoms brought on by the effects of war -- PTSD and TBI.

Heretofore, Tuesday has significantly changed the quality of my life. He reminds me to take many medications throughout the day at their proper intervals. He helps me to overcome social agoraphobia, hyper-vigilance and flashbacks that previously left me reclusive much of the time. His constant presence enables me to be more of who I used to be – a confident, vibrant and fun-loving person.

Finally, Tuesday is helping me to love again. The dark memories of horrible things are not debilitating me the way they used to. The ghosts of war have given way to a place I once knew – a place where life was beautiful and all things were possible.

This is why I am deeply grateful to Lu Picard, East Coast Assistance Dogs (ECAD) and the many people who helped bring Tuesday in to my life. Now that our lives are inextricably intertwined, I know that love and peace will remain everlasting.

With sincerity and gratitude,
Luis

Capt. (ret.) Luis Carlos Montalván, USA
Iraq Veteran

Meet the Parents

Here is a video about the Mom of ECAD's newest puppies, Rosey.

We will have a video coming soon about the puppies' Dad, Blip!

The Puppies Are Here!

Rosey's new puppies are here and the cam is on! Click here to watch the web cam. She had 5 girls and 1 boy.

Visit our new site as well and start suggesting names for the puppies!

Puppy Cam Coming Soon!

ECAD will have a live web cam watching our new puppies when they are born! We will post the link here as soon as our new web site is up.

FOX news

ECAD was featured on Good Day New York Fox News. Click here to watch.