Canine Support Teams
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One of the great things about being a part of Guide Dogs of America is having access to a vast amount of puppy/dog knowledge. There are so many knowledgeable people in our Orange County Guide Dogs of America group that anytime I have a puppy/dog question I can just talk to people at our group meeting and I always get great and informed answers. Some of the people in our group have raised 10+ GDA puppies!
Stetson’s Career Change
When a guide dog puppy in training gets dropped from the guide dog program they are said to be “career changed”. When I received the call that Stetson was going to be career changed I was taken by surprise, but I always wanted to get Stetson involved as a Therapy dog if he didn’t make it as a Guide dog.
However, there are many other options for your puppy if they do not make it as a Guide dog. One of our GDA group members mentioned to me that Stetson could enter another program called Canine Support Teams.
Here’s a photo of Stetson and Derby under my desk at the office. It looks like Stetson’s enjoying his interim career of sleeping under my desk…Derby likes wedging his head between things when he goes to sleep.
Canine Support Teams
If Stetson were to enter the Canine Support Teams program he could become a service dog for the disabled. He would be trained by either their staff or through their Prison Pup program which serves a dual purpose in rehabilitating a human as well as servicing a human.
Here’s a little excerpt from the Canine Support Teams About page:
Service dogs are placed with people who use wheelchairs, walkers, crutches or canes. They are taught to assist their partners by pulling manual wheelchairs, turning lights on and off, pushing elevator buttons, retrieving dropped or hard to reach items, making purchases or banking transactions, opening and closing doors and drawers, barking to get help and providing stability for walking. In addition, these dogs help to serve as an ice-breaker in public situations and provide constant companionship for their partners. Assisted Service work for individuals who can manage their dogs with help from another person, caregiver or attendant. Assisted Service have all the skills associated with Service Dogs.
Prison Pup Program
The Canine Support Team Prison Pup Program sounded very interesting to me so I took a look at their website. The partnership was formed with the California Institution for women to help inmates contribute to society and to provide more service dogs for people in need.
During the Prison Pup Program Canine Support Teams hold puppy class weekly. During class the instructors work with the inmates on:
- General obedience
- Advanced task work and training techniques
Some inmates are selected for special duties such as:
- First aid
- Grooming
- Mentorship based on their special talents and dedication in class.
Stetson’s Career Change
My goal for Stetson remains the same. Now that he will not be a guide dog I want to get him involved as a Therapy Dog. Unfortunately, at our last group meeting I did not get a chance to talk to other’s in our group about their therapy dogs.
We have more information about career change opportunities listed on the Orange County Guide Dogs of America website. If you are interested in Canine Support Teams please visit their website at http://www.caninesupporteams.org.
Top Picks For Our Puppies
- BEST DOG CHEW
We Like: Beef Collagen Sticks - All of our pups love to bite, nip, and chew. We love using Collagen Sticks to help divert these unwanted behaviors. - BEST PUPPY TOY
We Like: Calmeroos Puppy Toy w/ Heartbeat and Heat Packs - Perfect for new puppies. Helps ease anxiety in their new home. - BEST DOG TREATS
We Like: Crazy Dog Train-Me Treats - We use these as our high-value treats for our guide dog puppies. - BEST FRESH DOG FOOD
We Like: The Farmer's Dog - A couple months ago we started feeding Raven fresh dog food and she loves it! Get 50% off your first order of The Farmer's Dog.
Check out more of our favorites on our New Puppy Checklist.
Hey Colby, my blogspot blog is private now, if you would like to read it, send me an email and I’ll add you. that one is kinda quiet now though! Some things happened and it turned out that I was just not a good match for CST, nothing bad about them, just too far away and I would be the only raiser anywhere near me. My wordpress blog is more up to date and has more information about the search for a school that matches me and my raising style! Feel free to check it out! I love the new layout btw!
@Coreena, I just subscribed to your blog. I hope to hear all about your adventures with Canine Support Teams. By the way, I think your blog mentioned you were going to raise a Canine Companions for Independence puppy.
Good luck with your new puppy in October and I can’t wait to hear more.
I’m going to be raising a puppy for Canine Support Teams, Inc. in October! It’s truely an amazing school and helps out the world in so many ways! I’ve been talking to them for the past year and can’t wait to actually be helping this great small school!
Derby,
Hey bro, see you Thursday. I like to wedge into small places also.
Interesting, I have a friend who will be getting a puppy to raise from CST in October. Great people!