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Career Changed Puppies 1998
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Alaska
Though Alaska did not qualify as a guide dog,
his bubbling personality is a big hit in the home of his
raisers Mike, Denise & Ashley Bates.
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Griffin
This buddle of German Shepherd joy in the arms of raiser Char
Hanselman is nine week old Griffin. Griffin is the fifth
guide dog puppy the Hanselman family has raised, but the
first Char will be raising herself. Daughters Jamie and
Kathy did an outstanding job raising the previous four.
Now it is mom's turn. Most of her youth and adult life,
Char has been living with shepherds. Now, she would like
to use her understanding of the breed to successfully
raise a guide dog puppy.
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Ilene
Thirteen month old
Golden Retriever Ilene receives supportive handling from
her raiser Pat Fisher. Pat has been raising guide dog
puppies for over fifteen years. Ilene is guide dog puppy
number sixteen.
Whether it is taking a ride on the old V&T railroad or going
to work at the Nevada State Insurance Division, Pat and
Ilene are almost inseparable.
Well before the Nevada Legislature passed AB 202 giving all guide dogs in
training access to the work place, Pat Fisher was able to
bring her guide dog puppies into her office and give them
an authentic work place experience.
Ilene returned to a loving family in Carson City in December, 1998. |
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Junction
This handsome young
German Shepherd is Junction. His raiser is high school
freshman, Jennifer Jacobsen. Jennifer has always had a
warm spot in her heart for shepherds. Junction is the
second guide dog puppy she has raised.
Junction has had several out of
the ordinary experiences. On one weekend camping trip, he
greeted several deer and a bear close to the campsite.
Junction has also flown Reno Airlines to Las Vegas and
has attended a three day conference at the Cal-Neva Hotel
on the north shore of Lake Tahoe. Junction was released
from the advanced training program in November 1998.
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Lancaster
I am not wearing a
muzzle! I am actually a very sweet, gentle male Yellow
Labrador by the name of Lancaster. I am actually wearing
a "Halti" to help me focus my attention.
Instead of controling my behavior by jerking on my neck,
all my raiser needs to do is gently turn my head. While
wearing my halti, I don't have any problems opening my
mouth or even eating. You might see more guide dog
puppies wearing halties in the future. Small raisers can
control even really big dogs like me without strain or
pain.
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Tariff
There were lots of tears of sadness when male Black Lab
"Tariff" became a career changed dog. His
wonderful personality and poise had raised everyone's
hopes. But, as the old saying goes, "When one door
closes, another door opens." Today, Tariff has a
most contented life. He goes to "work" everyday
at a church in Reno, Nevada. His duties include being an
office and grounds companion to the congregation.
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Thelma
Thelma's (on the
ground) return to the McDowell family was a
disappointment to everyone except for Thema and her
raiser Katelyn. Guide Dogs determined that her trachea
was too soft to handle the stresses of working in
harness. Unfortunately, this genetic weakness resulted in
a career change for a wonderfully gentle and responsive
dog. But, Thelma is not complaining. She is a working
girl. Thema goes every day with Mrs. McDowell, an English
teacher, to Eagle Valley Middle School in Carson City,
Nevada. Thelma is responsible for helping train a new
generation of guide dog puppy raisers. Her job is to go
to classes with beginning dog training students.
Actually, Thelma trains the students. By the way, the
teachers love having Thema at school. She is one of the
best behaved and well mannered pupils in attendance.
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