Susan Tucker- Knights in Service
Sandy Nichols introduced Susan Tucker and her Assistant Dog Partner, Sir Lancelot. Susan has been in the pet/dog/horse training business for over thirty years. Training service dogs has been her life and passion. It is a way for people to live independently; people with health and mobility problems. Dogs are a good option and, if you have a disability, a way to live more independently. The human partner may have a hidden disability, such as cancer, chronic back pain from injuries aging attacks or a serious hearing impairment. Dogs can be trained to do medical alerts, blood sugar alerts and become life savers. Their harness can be designed to serve as a cane providing stability, counter balance and prevent you from falling. They are trained to fetch items needed by the partner and to give it to them in a manner that is comfortable.
Assistant Dogs follow the same rules and protocol as guide dogs and have the same access as guide dogs, such as going into a restaurant. With training, the dogs have purpose, a job and are happy doing what they do. Off duty they get to run, play and rest. There is a line between work and play and it is carefully balanced.
Susan said that their training programs are not as well funded as guide dogs. They are constantly looking for volunteers to support the program. Handlers/trainers meet on a regular basis and provide a support group which improves their training skills. 50% of dogs that begin training will make it through the program and become a certified assistant dog. They are taught commands and some dogs have a vocabulary of over a hundred words; they can also be taught to read signs. For donations or to learn more about the program or to volunteer contact Susan, 805-227-0555.