Flossie Gets Advanced

By the time you read this article, Flossie will hopefully have started her Advanced Training at the Canine Partners Headquarters in West Sussex.  For now she is concentrating on going over all she has learnt so far, rather like revising for exams.

Flossie has already been having some of her training classes in the advanced training room, to help her familiarize herself with these new surroundings.  She has also spent some time at the kennels – also known as the Dog Pad. This is Canine Partners’ very own five-star accommodation for dogs in training.  The Charity has created accommodation that is more like a comfortable doggie room than traditional kennels. All the dogs sleep in the same room, with simple dividers set up to allow everyone to have their own space if they want it, although most dogs prefer to curl up in pairs. This is no Fort Knox – the dividers are low and allow for plenty of human contact.

Flossie has also been out doing demonstration work in local schools, she loves this and it is a new aspect to meeting the general public, children in particular.  These demonstrations usually include the dogs showing how they can open a washing machine door, pick up dropped items such as keys, remove items of clothing and carry out emergency response procedures.

Flossie will be just 18 months old when she gets assessed for Advanced Training.  This is a 3-week programme that will look at her behaviour in a variety of situations, her aptitude for the next stage of training plus health considerations.  If she shows promise, she will enter advanced training full time for approximately 3-6 months during which time she will either live on site at the Dog pad or with foster parents in the local area.  If Flossie passes this stage of her training, she could be with her new partner by early 2009 when she will be just 2 years old.

If you are interested in applying for a Canine Partners, you need to consider the following questions:

· Are you 18 years of age or over?

· Do you have a disability that affects your quality of life?

· Do you feel that you would benefit from the help a Canine Partner can provide?

· Do you want the responsibility of looking after and working with one of our dogs?

Most of our Partners use wheelchairs and include people with the following conditions:

• Cerebral Palsy

• Friedreich’s Ataxia

• Muscular Dystrophy

• Multiple Sclerosis

• Osteogenesis Imperfecta (Brittle Bones)

• Polio ” Rheumatoid Arthritis

• Spina Bifida

• Spinal Injuries

• Spinal Muscular Atrophy

• Stroke

Canine Partners has developed a rigorous assessment process to identify appropriate applicants. Potential Partners are asked to complete and return an application form and with their permission, a medical report is requested from their doctor, which is treated in the strictest confidence. Following a home visit by our

Occupational Therapist, eligible applicants are then invited to attend assessment days at our Training Centre so we may evaluate how they interact with their environment and the dogs. Following careful and thorough assessment, the matching process between each person and their Canine Partner occurs, selecting the right dog for the right person and vice versa.

Successful applicants complete a two-week residential course, which combines theoretical lessons with practical exercises. They learn not only the basic skills required in the home, but also safe and correct practice in shops and on the street. In addition, they are instructed how to care for and manage their dog and how to take responsibility for daily exercise, feeding, grooming and play. Graduates will be equipped to begin working immediately with their Canine Partner, and will also be ready to cope with the demands of their new life together.

The Partnership Office provides aftercare and support to the partnerships ensuring they are long-lasting, happy and healthy. Monitoring the progress of the dog and their

Partner continues for the lifetime of the partnership and takes place in the form of regular aftercare visits, carried out by our aftercare team and volunteer Partnership Linkers.

For further information on Canine Partners, please call 08456 580480 or visit www.caninepartners.co.uk.