The first two years in a service dogs life are very important. They are filled with time, dedication, love, and hard work. Tibbs is one special guy and he has had an incredible journey in his first 2 years. Tibbs started his journey to become a service dog almost as soon as he was born. Training newborn puppies to wear vests, tolerate things on them like head Haltis, experience new sight and things, all while also teaching them normal good manners and house training is a big task. Tibbs was not made into a service dog with the help of one person, but a entire community of people that love him and have helped him on his journey.
After he was ready to leave his mother he traveled to his puppy raiser. At PGI puppy raisers help to further the dogs experiences, dedicate hours each day to teaching good manners, commands, and making sure each pup is set to have a successful future. If you have seen a service dog and their puppy raiser later in their career you can see the love that they pour into it through the dogs. I can promise you they will never forget their puppy raisers.
Once they are set and ready for the next part of their journey they go to the dedicated ladies in the Helping Paws Program at The Logan Correctional Facility. You can see the love, time, and benefits of this program progress as they come out on furlough to spend one week at a time with volunteer families in the community, volunteer college students from Bradley University (Wags for Mags), and Illinois State University(Indy-pendence Service Dogs). The furlough weeks let the dogs experience life in all kinds of situations, varied living arrangements, and truly prepare them for a future recipient.
Once they leave the Helping Paws Program they go to one of the college programs to do transition training, with a recipient in mind to train them for the needs that they will help to meet once fully placed. They continue to get community and life experiences as well as start training with their recipient at PGI classes.
Once they are ready they get to move in with the recipient and bond and work together. Once the pair is ready they can work together to pass the ADI certification test and and graduate as a team. After graduating the team continues to bond and become a working pair that support each other.
Tibbs and I were a little unique. I started as a volunteer for PGI, wanting to help service dogs and train them for people. I began training and getting the PGI dogs used to working with powerchairs, taking commands from a seated position, and maneuvering all around. This can be a challenge people to learn to help with and get used to, let alone a dog. I met Tibbs almost a year ago. At first he was not sure if he liked my chair, but he for sure liked me. He was willing to give it a shot, and even after a very short time he was walking right along with me.
By last December I had enough training hours that PGI thought I was ready to have a dog on furlough. I am so lucky that Tibbs happened to be that first furlough dog I got. I brough him home, and to tell the truth the first day was hard. It is no walk in the park. I went from having no big dog responsibilities, to caring for a highly trained and eager to help service dog in training. I felt like I almost had a child. After the first few days Tibbs and I had really bonded. It was not only easier to care for him, but he also knew how to care for me too! That end to that first furlough was so hard, because at the end of the week I had to send him back to "school" for more training.
The next month, Tibbs went to some new situations with others for furlough experiences. I worked with other dogs like my dog buddies Ace, and Bunker. While every dog that I worked with is a great dog, and I know they will become great service dogs, Tibbs was already my best friend and he knew just how to help me.
Did I mention that everyone involved from puppy raiser to transition trainer is completely volunteer? Not only did I get my best friend Tibbs this year, but I have gotten to meet and become friends with so many wonderful people that I have met through Paws Giving Independence. PGI, I think had more confidence in me that I did in myself at the time and knew that I could handle and be successful with a service dog of my own. Tibbs started training to do specific tasks for me. The next time I was able to have him for a home visit/furlough he was my right hand man and knew just how to help me. Sending him back to "school" was one of the hardest things I have done, even though I knew he would be cared for and loved on. I was beginning to count the days until we would no longer have to say see you later.
This past week Tibbs and I got to celebrate his 2nd birthday. I was able to surprise him with new treats and toys. He loves the new green squeaky bone, and the crunchy carrot toy I picked out for him. He had a special birthday treat and savored every bite. His house dog sister Kamy even got a mini treat, but she gobbled it so fast I didn't have a chance to get a picture. We enjoyed the party and feel like it is a kickstart to the great year we have ahead!
