Archive for Monday, January 23, 2006
Family guides dog toward future role as human helper
January 23, 2006
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She's only four months old, but Andromeda already is embarking on a lifelong career.
The black, female Labrador retriever is undergoing basic training for use as either a guide or service dog for people with vision and physical disabilities.
"They are very easy to train. They want to please people," Margaret Thorp said as she watched the dog amble around the yard of her Old West Lawrence home and play with two older Labs she and her husband, Jim Thorp, have as pets.
"There's a lot of baby dog behavior we have to modify," Margaret Thorp said.
Several weeks ago the Thorps applied to become puppy raisers for KSDS Inc., a nonprofit firm that breeds and trains guide and service dogs and then places them with clients.
There also is a third career option. Andromeda could be used for breeding and be a mother to future generations of guide and service dogs. The Thorps would prefer that option, and their reason is a simple one.
Lawrence resident Margaret Thorp works with Andromeda, a four-month-old Labrador retriever, in her backyard along with her husband, Jim Thorp, and their two dogs Lily, front, and Zoe on Thursday afternoon. The Thorps will be training Andromeda for use as a guide or service dog.
"It's hard to give them up," Margaret Thorp said.
The Thorps have been through this before. Several years ago while living in New York state, they raised a guide dog for an agency similar to KSDS. When the time came they hated to give up the dog. If Andromeda becomes a breeder dog, then she would only be away from the Thorps for short periods. She would be taken for periodic breeding at KSDS in Washington, Kan., and then returned to the Thorps.
But for now the Thorps will conduct Andromeda's early training. Most of it is pretty basic. They will teach the dog to walk beside her masters, sit and retrieve objects. Considering Labs are hunting dogs, retrieving is no problem, the Thorps said.
"They are smart," Margaret Thorp said. "They like to put things in their mouths and carry them."
Service dogs are used by people with physical handicaps and who may be confined to a wheelchair. The service dogs will be required to retrieve certain objects such as a telephone or even open a door for their master. Someone with physical disabilities may even have to lean on the dogs to get up from a chair or floor.
Andromeda, left, runs around Margaret and Jim Thorp's backyard along with their dog Zoe as the two wrestle with Andromeda's training cape Thursday afternoon.
Guide dogs are given to people who are blind or have serious vision problems. Their training is more detailed. For example, they must know when to lead their master across a busy street. They even have to judge when a tree limb might be low enough to present a problem to their human partner.
KSDS breeds and trains only Labs and golden retrievers. Those breeds are considered to be the right size for the job, and they also have the smarts and the pleasant demeanor needed for service and guide work.
There is a high demand for the dogs, Carrie Powe, spokeswoman for KSDS, said. Currently, the service has 105 service dogs and 24 guide dogs at work.
"We currently have more demand for service dogs," Powe said. "Both breeds are equally as likely to work as either guide or service dogs."
The Thorps are among 65 puppy-raisers used by KSDS. There are several in the Lawrence and Kansas City area. The puppy-raisers volunteer their time and home to train the dogs. Dog food is provided to them free by the makers of Science Diet. Heartworm prevention medication is provided free, but the puppy-raisers pay for flea, tick and other treatments. Some veterinarians donate their services or give reduced rates for specialty dogs.
The Thorps will work with Andromeda for up to two years before she moves on to KSDS for additional training or for breeding. In addition to teaching her basic commands, they will be taking Andromeda into stores and restaurants and getting her used to stairs and escalators.
"They have to be calm and sociable," said Margaret Thorp. "You don't want them to jump on people or go off chasing squirrels. We're trying to expose her to all the situations so she takes everything in stride."
Andromeda has been with Margaret Thorp, a Lawrence attorney, and Jim Thorp, a Kansas University professor in the department of ecology and evolutionary biology, for only two weeks.
"She's doing well," Margaret Thorp said.
Widespread organization
KSDS Inc. was formed 15 years ago as Kansas Specialty Dog Service. Today references to the nonprofit firm generally use only the initials. That's because the full name indicates it is only Kansas oriented, and that's not the case.
KSDS has placed dogs with clients not only in Kansas, but in several other Midwest states and as far away as Oregon and New Mexico.
Most of the dogs are bred and receive advanced training at KSDS in Washington, Kan. Each dog receives 120 hours of training time.
The price tag for a fully trained dog is $15,000. That includes the cost of training, staff, housing, veterinary care, equipment, travel, team training and class. KSDS accepts donations to help with the costs. Kansas Lions Clubs are major donors.
A client receiving a guide or service dog does not have to buy the dog. Someone receiving a guide dog spends three weeks training with the dog at KSDS. It takes two weeks of training for clients receiving a service dog.
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23 January 2006
at 8:08 a.m.
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Marion (Marion Lynn) says…
I wonder if one of these esaped and bit no one would it be declared a “dangerous dog” and ordered be put down?
Thanks.
Marion.
23 January 2006
at 8:27 a.m.
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mom_of_three (Anonymous) says…
This is a service dog that is under constant supervision every time it goes out. If it bites someone, it won't go into the program.
Different dog, different situation.
23 January 2006
at 8:50 a.m.
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Marion (Marion Lynn) says…
Unless it jumps the fence when no one is looking.
The animals in the photos are clearly off leash and could, if they chose, run.
And yes, service dogs are specifically exempted from most other animal ordinances.
I also specified that my theoretical escapee had bit NO ONE as did the hideously dangerous, vicious and life-threatening pit bull puppy currently under death sentence at the Lawrence Humane Society.
Thanks.
Marion.
23 January 2006
at 9:37 a.m.
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mom_of_three (Anonymous) says…
Just an FYI -
Chances are the labs won't jump the wooden fence pictured above. Unlike a chain link, with a consistent level at the top, dogs have a hard time judging the height on the fence such as above, according to a good source.
But that doesn't mean the a weak slat won't break with pressure, and a smaller lab could go through the hole in the fence.
As I have stated, I am a dog owner, and as much as it hurts, sometimes a dog needs to be put down, such as the one who bit two kids.
23 January 2006
at 10:08 a.m.
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Marion (Marion Lynn) says…
Aa usual Cman….you are full of……well, yourself.
Luna's case is presently under appeal and the animal has not, much to your sick delight, been “put down”.
Doubleplus Unthanks.
Marion.
23 January 2006
at 10:37 a.m.
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mztrendy (Anonymous) says…
Marion, do you have children? How would you feel if that pitbull bit your child? Would you have pity on the poor dog, even though you had to take your child to the emergency room to get stitches, creating a visable scar on your childs face that may never go away?
23 January 2006
at 11:24 a.m.
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Confrontation (Anonymous) says…
The lady who had the face transplant was attacked by her lab. She got a new nose and lips. Sure wasn't a pit bull or rottweiler.
23 January 2006
at 11:41 a.m.
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Marion (Marion Lynn) says…
Mztredy wrote:
“Posted by mztrendy (anonymous) on January 23, 2006 at 10:37 a.m. (Suggest removal)
Marion, do you have children? How would you feel if that pitbull bit your child? Would you have pity on the poor dog, even though you had to take your child to the emergency room to get stitches, creating a visable scar on your childs face that may never go away?”
I am not talking about the dog which bit two children.
I am talking about the dog Luna, which bit no one, threatened no one and merely jumped the fence into the neighbour's yard.
Let me say this again, “Luna bit no one, threatened no one and only jumped a fence.”
I think that I may need to ask the question, “english mztendy; do you speak it?”
Luna was arbitraily adjudicated as dangerous and vicious for harming no one.
I am not defending the dog which bit two children even though it is most likely that the dog was not being agressive but rather over-playful because of its age which can lead to bleeding.
We just don't know as that dog has been killed and we have no opportunity to observe its behaviour.
In that “attack” the evidence available does not point to an intentional savaging of the child as there just wasn't enough injury to the child to indicate a real “attack” but rather the sort of injusry that results from overzealousness on the part of the puppy.
We should remember that dogs must be taught that it is NOT OK to engage in oral behaviour with humans; licking of the chin, throat, face and especially the nose and lips as injury can quite accidentally occur as I suspect happened in the case of the dog which bit the child.
A few years ago Downtown I witnessed what a lady nailed by a large Husky called an “attack”.
The lady had been annoying the animal and the dog finally gave her a warning nip which left a bruise.
When the police arrived I told them that the animal had not attacked the woman but had only put down its doggie feet and indicated that it had had enough of the lady's bad behaviour.
Had the dog “attacked”; that is, really wanted to bite, the woman would have been BITTEN instead of bruised.
The dog clearly did not want to injure the lady; only to get her to go away which she did leaving the dog further unmolested.
A warning nip is Doggie for, “That's it! That's all! Stop what you are doing or I really WILL bite you!”
I am not insensitive to the injury of the child in this matter but believe that it is very important to understand how and why the injury occured in the first place.
Again, the dog Luna bit no one, injured no one and only jumped a fence.
Thanks.
Marion.
23 January 2006
at 11:58 a.m.
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The_Original_Bob (Anonymous) says…
“I am not defending the dog which bit two children even though it is most likely that the dog was not being agressive but rather over-playful because of its age which can lead to bleeding.” Almighty Marion.
Wow. You really believe that just because you type something it must be true.
1. You most certainly defended the dog that bit the kids in the prior board on this subject. The same one where Jannie said children should be euthanized.
2. Caused a little bleeding? His damn lip was almost ripped off. Stitches are used for a little bleeding.
Goodness.
23 January 2006
at 12:01 p.m.
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mom_of_three (Anonymous) says…
If the dog who bit two children had only been given a warning “nip”, I doubt it would have required stitches for either case.
A week after I acquired my dog from the pound (who was about 1 at the time), he gave my daughter a nip. It didn't break skin, and it wasn't in the face. He wanted to be left alone. He was also very playful, and nipped when he played, but never broke the skin or went for the face. He was a stray when he was picked up, and no, we don't know his history, but from his behavior, hadn't been taken care of by humans for a while.
The dog from last week could just be over agressive while playing, but hhmmm, two kids, in the face, with blood, doesn't usually result from overzealousness. Maybe it is the breed of dog, but I have never seen it before.
I don't see those as injuries which accidentally occur.
23 January 2006
at 12:30 p.m.
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sunflowerjen (Anonymous) says…
I went to this article to read what people had to say about this article, these dogs and their services, because I love reading great stories about dogs and how they make our lives better. Needless to say, I was disappointed to find no posts about this particular article and to find only that everyone decided to argue more about last week's attack.
23 January 2006
at 12:49 p.m.
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Marion (Marion Lynn) says…
OMB wrote:
“Posted by The_Original_Bob (anonymous) on January 23, 2006 at 11:58 a.m. (Suggest removal)
“I am not defending the dog which bit two children even though it is most likely that the dog was not being agressive but rather over-playful because of its age which can lead to bleeding.” Almighty Marion.
Wow. You really believe that just because you type something it must be true.”
>And is most likely correct as the injury to the child does not indicate anything that might be termed an attack.
“1. You most certainly defended the dog that bit the kids in the prior board on this subject. The same one where Jannie said children should be euthanized.”
>I am simply attemtpting to explain some canine behaviour which is very much misunderstood my many people, especeially people responding emotionally rahter than rationally to an incident such as this one.
I have not suggested that children be euthanised and I am quite that Janniebull was being sarcastic.
“2. Caused a little bleeding? His damn lip was almost ripped off. Stitches are used for a little bleeding.”
> I did not use the term “a little bleeding” and your attempt to re-write what I did say is cute but it won't work.
I used the term “bleeding” to indicate injury.
“Goodness.”
>Quite so.
People anthropomorphise dogs and they should not.
Dogs run on a completely different set of rules and it should never be forgotten that ALL dogs have those sharp teeth because they are predators and predators hunt, kill, bite and do all sorts of un-human like things.
Many dog bites and “attacks” result from a lack of understanding of canine behaviour and in fact are often quite unintentionally encouraged by unaware owners.
A family dog should never be allowed to lick the the head, face or neck of its owners.
Face licking is a very significant component of canine behaviour and is OK with other dogs but should not be allowed with humans.
The worst bite that I have ever recieved was from a Cocker Spaniel, a breed noted for its tendency to bite.
Thanks.
Marion.
23 January 2006
at 3:12 p.m.
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mom_of_three (Anonymous) says…
To satisfy sunflower jen -
There is another family in Lawrence who train service dogs, and one of the girls was allowed to take it to school at certain times to help socialize it. I hear it worked out well. Both the dog and the students learned alot.
23 January 2006
at 3:37 p.m.
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meggers (Anonymous) says…
c-man: “Why in the world would someone replace a child with a pet?”
If you know of people who are actually “replacing” their children with pets, you must run in some pretty interesting circles.
Many people, those with children and those without, simply choose to share their homes and their lives with animals. Surely you aren't interpreting that as some sort of attack on “family values”.
23 January 2006
at 3:39 p.m.
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Marion (Marion Lynn) says…
The conservativething wrote:
“Posted by conservativeman (anonymous) on January 23, 2006 at 1:24 p.m. (Suggest removal)
Maryann wrote:
“People anthropomorphise dogs and they should not.”
So lifting them to “Family Member” status is wrong. I agree, to do so shows a lack of socialization. Why in the world would someone replace a child with a pet? Who could be so socially retarded? Who could it be, who could it be???
Maybe…………KATHY!!
bwahahahahahahahahahahhaha”
The term which you find so funny has nothing to do with “lifting (dogs..to family memeber” as you well know.
The statement means that you can't make people out of dogs and you know it.
Expecting dogs to act like people causes much of the trouble that we have with our pets.
Really grasping at straws there aren't you C-man?
The LJW is your forum of last resort what with you having been booted from RCT, Larryville and that joke of a private forum, Kansas Talks.
Getting lonely are you?
Run out of animals to trap alive and then butcher and skin?
Expound for us on your philosphy of animals, won't you Oh Great One, that the public may come to understand more of the foundation of your posting style, justification of animal cruelty and ad hominem attacks?
Tsk, tsk.
Such lack of form.
Doubleplus Unthanks.
Marion.
23 January 2006
at 3:51 p.m.
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The_Original_Bob (Anonymous) says…
You guys can actually afford to kick people out of River City Talk?
OMB - It's apparent that you have raised the ire of Marion in addition to jannie. Anytime they see a Bob name it must be you. I'm still getting hate email referring to answering questions about cyclists. It's like a bad Twighlight Zone episode. No, worse, it's like a good Hitchhiker episode.
23 January 2006
at 5:50 p.m.
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Marion (Marion Lynn) says…
Well, the Judge had a Seein' Eye Dog and he couldn't look a the 27 8x10 color glossies with the circles and arrows and a pargraph on the back tellin' us what each one was about.
Sounds like the judge in the Luna case!
Service dogs are wonderful animals and you will notice that may are outfitted with a sign which tells folks not to touch them as they are working.
People isist on trying to pet them which can divert them from their job.
I have done some work with Labs intended for this program and only the best of the best are used.
I have also seen a service dog tear into someone who threatened its master.
The dog recieved a round of applause from bystanders and the perp was hounded (pun) into retreat and apology!
Many different breeds are capable of serivce work but Labs seem to do the best, especially in public.
Thanks.
Marion.
23 January 2006
at 5:52 p.m.
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Marion (Marion Lynn) says…
Conservativething wrote:
“”Doubleplus Unthanks”? Go sit in the corner young 3rd grader.
Always Respectfully,
Conservativeman”
Yes, by the time that I was in third grade I had read “1984”.
You should try it some time.
New Speak.
Thanks.
Marion.
23 January 2006
at 5:55 p.m.
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Marion (Marion Lynn) says…
“Posted by The_Original_Bob (anonymous) on January 23, 2006 at 3:51 p.m. (Suggest removal)
You guys can actually afford to kick people out of River City Talk?
OMB - It's apparent that you have raised the ire of Marion in addition to jannie. Anytime they see a Bob name it must be you. I'm still getting hate email referring to answering questions about cyclists. It's like a bad Twighlight Zone episode. No, worse, it's like a good Hitchhiker episode.”
Ooops!
Sorry about that !
Dyslexics untie!
Thanks.
Marion.
24 January 2006
at 12:03 a.m.
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Marion (Marion Lynn) says…
For All but Especially For The conservativething:
dog on a euthanasia table
~Anonymous~
I'm trembling and so worried, for I know I misbehaved.
I chewed Dad's brand new slippers and saw just how he raged.
I did not mean to wreck them, but my teeth were very sore,
and chewing them relieved the pain and made me feel less bored.
And when mom came to smack me, I piddled on the floor,
For I had held my pee all day and couldn't get out the door.
They said that I was “wicked,” a menace at first glance;
and when they tied me up outside, I howled for one more chance.
I rolled over, sat pretty and did all those tricks they loved,
but they couldn't forget the wrong and said they'd had enough.
So they took me to a clinic where the smell alone put fear
into my trembling body, but my cries they did not hear.
For they turned and walked through the door without a hug or pat.
I wonder if they'll forget and forgive me, when they do come back?
But why do I feel so frightened, as though they've gone for good.
They said they'd love me 'til I died; they really said they would.
I'm strapped onto a table and they're shaving my front leg.
I think I'm getting a needle now; I feel it in my vein…
Why do I feel so lonely? Without them comforting me?
Why do I feel so sleepy? Oh please God, let them forgive me.
24 January 2006
at 12:08 a.m.
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Marion (Marion Lynn) says…
The online presence known as “Conservativeman” has wrought his havoc on at least four local internet forums. He has trashed the CLOnline forum, the old LJW Reader Reaction, RiverCity and is now working his magic on Larryville.
He acts as a self appointed moderator, engages in the worst kind of ad hominem attacks, makes accusations so close to libelous that had he made them in a boardroom or employee meeting he would have been summarily sacked, and pummels those who disagree with him with cyber excretia until they simply go away.
Conservativeman assumes the unofficail position of greeter and doorman perhaps because doormen typically wear a military like uniform and he misses his dress outfit.
He left RiverCity because of the refusal of the admin there to adopt the homophobic stance of the Conservativeman not because his free speech was violated. When the admin at RCT refused to adopt an official policy of homophobia Conservativeman beagan a vicious series of personal attacks. he was warned and when the admin had enough, Conservativeman was told to take a hike.
Having been booted from CJonline, Reader Reaction; both of which simply shut down rather than continue to deal with Conservativeman and his type, and finally RCT which told him to go away, Conservativeman has landed in the virginal and unsuspecting fields of Larryville.
Conservativeman attacks those who cannot respond to him, spins facts, outright lies, misquotes and censors or edits other printed matter to satisfy his perverse needs.
When called to task, he changes his tune and acts as Mr. Nice Guy until he is satisfied that those around him are comfortable and then starts right up again.
There are many who do not reply to him knowing full well that another of his internet rants will follow.
I am not one of those who fear him and through one means or another will show him for what he is, a poor miserable soul, vicious and mean; one who cares nothing for the feelings of others, only one who seeks to dominate his chosen venue through online bullying, lies, inuendo and shouting down those who disagree with him..
His aura of superiority is a false one, like the early morning fog, it dissipates in the light of truth.
Although he acts much like the drill sergeant in he is in fact a type which is used by the military until they are used up and then let out without a leash on an unsuspecting public.
Sociopathic and psychotic deviations which work well in certain military positions fail in the public sector and conservativeman is the poster child for the policy.
Conservativeman is very much like the schoolyard bully: inadequete and impotent, angry and resentful, a nuisance at best, very dangerous at worst.
In the deluded world of Conservativeman there is no real free speech, only the speech according to conservativeman.
Conservativeman is the most dangerous, odious and offensive kind of internet infestation.