Same Dog, Different Owner

[KurtNYC]

48. You're welcome. There are many positive trainers out there but Bergin takes it further

She has made understanding how dogs learn her life's work and passion. A bit more about her start 40 years ago:

So strongly had she been struck by the idea, she couldn’t let it go, and left teaching to work in a dog kennel for $2 an hour to learn about dogs and dog breeds. Armed with this knowledge and a determination to help people with disabilities live more fulfilled, independent lives, she began the experiment that has resulted in the internationally acclaimed “service dog” concept.

Kerry Knaus, a severe quadriplegic, answered the phone at Santa Rosa’s Community Resources for Independence. Bonnie was hoping to speak to the CEO, to gain her support for this project and her help in locating someone willing to give it a try. Bonnie’s short explanation to the receptionist produced an amazing response, “I’ll try it,” from Kerry Knaus. Kerry’s disability was so severe that if her head fell forward, she could not lift it back up. At most she could lift one ounce, but in her power wheelchair she was a dynamo. Together the two of them, Bonnie and Kerry, worked with the very first service dog, Abdul. Bonnie would ask Kerry what help she needed and the two of them would work out a way to teach Abdul how to do it.

Had Abdul not been exceptional, the service dog might have had wait for another visionary to come along. But his gift to the world was that, as a happy, loving black Lab-Golden Retriever cross, he wanted nothing more than to please Kerry. Often he seemed to intuit what was needed as Bonnie and Kerry fumbled through an afternoon trying to elicit a response from him, neither having formal dog training experience. The application of Bonnie’s teaching experience seemed to produce results, but in truth, it was Abdul’s translation of that information into “dog talk” that transitioned Kerry’s needs into “service dog” commands.

Kerry’s attendant might leave mid-afternoon, returning after dark, leaving Kerry sitting alone in the dark. This resulted in teaching Abdul to turn on and off lights. That Kerry might drop the TV remote or a pen but not want to bother the attendant resulted in teaching Abdul to pick up frequently dropped or needed items. The fear that the house might catch on fire when the attendant was gone resulted in teaching Abdul to tug open doors. Those skills expanded to pulling wheelchairs, tugging down zippers and taking off socks as others sought out Bonnie to get a service dog to help with their special needs. Bonnie also learned over time how incredibly important the service dog’s role of partner and best friend was to those whose disability often left them socially marginalized. Equally important, to a public that heretofore looked right past them, the dog now acted as a social bridge attracting attention and conversation.

The story continues:
http://en.academic.ru/dic.nsf/enwiki/9312564