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1 Edition 21 February 2016 The next meeting is Saturday, Feb. 27th, 2016 at the UPS School of Occupational Therapy at 12:00. There will not be a training class prior to the February meeting. Directions to the meeting site can be found on Page 5. Editor s Notes by Jack Pearce-Droge Welcome to 2016! The Assistance Dog Club of Puget Sound is currently planning its yearly meeting schedule. If any of our members are aware of a speaker, an event or an activity that would serve to benefit our members and their canine partners, please share that information with our President, Pat Kessler. ADC has several points of contact and communication for our members and friends. We have a strongly interactive Facebook page and our members are encouraged to Like us and join in the discussions. That page can be found at: /?fref=ts Website Address assist_dog_club@hotmail.com Mailing Address Assistance Dog Club of Puget Sound 2522 N. Proctor Street, Box #459 Tacoma, WA ADC also has a website that offers our calendar, special events, legal information and resources. If you know of anyone interested in making a donation to ADC you will find our tax deductible information on that site as well as specific national information about assistance dogs. The link for our general website is So we encourage you to share your interests, questions and ideas so that we can plan to better meet your needs. Assistance Dog Club of Puget Sound Board of Directors President Pat Kessler Vice President/Treasurer Wayne Terry Secretary Diane Funai Assistant Secretary Sally Montejano Social Coordinator Fred Fuller All activities and meetings will be held at TACID unless otherwise noted. TACID s address is: 6315 S 19th St, Tacoma, Washington Mission Statement The mission of the Assistance Dog Club of Puget Sound is to provide a safe, supportive, and educational environment that will enhance the partnership of persons with disabilities and their assistance dogs. Published through the generous support of the Dimmer Family Foundation 1.

2 President s Corner by Pat Kessler Hello everyone and welcome to a New Year! We have tried to schedule some activities that we have not had in a while, so I hope everyone enjoys them. We are slowly getting new people into the club and I want to welcome all the newcomers. In January our speaker became ill and could not come but we had a very wonderful discussion led by Jeanne Hampl. It was really great to see a lot of interaction from the members. We will be returning in February to the University of Puget Sound School of Occupational Therapy. In the past they have been able to help some members with issues relating to their disability. There will be no class by Jeanne prior to the meeting so you will go straight to campus. Directions can be found on page 5. In March and April, Jeanne will be teaching her class at TACID at 10:00 a.m. and we will begin our Arfs & Crafts painting at 11:00 a.m. at TACID in March. In April the Canine First Aid & CPR program will begin at 11:00 am at TACID in April. Your board looks forward to serving you and we welcome any questions, suggestions or comments. Some of us have been dealing with illness lately so please be patient with us. Summit Assistance Dogs is having a program soon and as soon as I get more info on it I will advise you of it. For those that take your dogs to dog parks, beware that in some areas there have been reports of poison food being set out in the parks. As service dogs you might also want to consider having your dog vaccinated for the new dog flu. Future Meetings and Events Mark Your Calendar The Assistance Dog Club of Puget Sound organizes meetings and events that will serve to strengthen the relationship between the service dog and their human partner. If you are interested in joining us at a meeting or event, please us at assist_dog_club@hotmail.com. February 27 - Occupational Therapy, Your Disability and your SD (Directions on Page 5) March 26 - Arfs and Crafts Painting - 11:00-3:00 at TACID; Class at 10:00 April 14, 15 and 16-20th Anniversary - Arfs and Crafts - Art Stop in Downtown Tacoma April 23 - Dog First Aid and CPR - TACID; Class begins at 10:00 May 28 - Tacoma Light Rail and Freighthouse Square - Meet at 12:00 noon at Freighthouse Square with lunch to follow Light Rail June 25 - TBD July 23 - Picnic August 27 - No Meeting - Summer Haitus September 24 - TBA October 22 - Annual Meeting and Potluck - TACID November - Meeting cancelled - Happy Thanksgiving December - Annual Holiday Celebration Published through the generous support of the Dimmer Family Foundation 2.

3 Informational Websites About Service Dogs Given that the partnership of a person with a disability with an assistance dog is governed by legal requirements it is beneficial that each of us have access to as much material as possible. The discussions at the January meeting included suggestions that can be misleading, inaccurate or legally correct and helpful. It is critically important that each of us become our own best advocate. Here are some websites that are accessible to you that will provide you with valuable information. Many of these websites are also available on ADC s website on the Favorite links page. The link for our website is: Legal Description of Service Dogs: Legal Clarification on Rules for Assistance Dogs: Medical information: Veterinary questions: (credit card for veterinary care, people have 1 year to pay, use it if you have no other credit card for emergency surgery.) Service Dog Information: Service Dog Gear: Also remember that the Assistance Dog Club has a facebook page: Be sure to friend us for the latest information about all things service dog. Additional Information: Note to Members and Friends If you are familiar with any internet links to service dog resources, please them to assist_dog_ club@hotmail.com and make a note in the subject line that you have sent a link for an educational resource. Thanks! Published through the generous support of the Dimmer Family Foundation 3.

4 Training Tips Direct - Redirect - Correct By Jeanne Hampl I spend a great deal of time watching people handle their dogs. The good handler realizes that working with a dog requires communication. They also realize that a leash is not a joy stick. They understand that they must communicate to their dog what they want them to do. A good handler does not use corrections as the first means of communicating. As a reminder to handlers I like to use the three words: Direct, Redirect and lastly Correct. So there is no confusion below are the dictionary definition s of those words. DIRECT - verb. to act as a guide. to give commands or orders. REDIRECT - verb. to change the direction or focus of: He redirected the children s energies toward building a sand castle instead of throwing sand at each other. CORRECT - verb. to make or set right You are walking down the street with your dog on a loose leash suddenly the dog exits left to smell some wonderful odor. Using the Direct, Redirect approach I would tell the dog to Leave It. I would then Redirect the dog to Heel or Let s Go. If the dog complied I would verbally reward the dog with a Yes, Good Dog and continue down the street. If the dog was new to training I might also give the dog a treats as we moved forward. Only if the dog chooses to ignore my Direction or Redirection, would I use my leash or my body (a change of direction) to make a correction and thus set the dog on the right path. What I actual see all too often is wordless corrections, a tug on the leash, a dog pushed back into a down. How would you feel if you reached out for a piece of candy and someone just slapped your hand or quickly removed the candy? While you might pull your hand back you would not know why you were stopped/corrected. You might avoid the candy in the future but you also may feel resentful toward the person who just slapped your hand. If the person said please don t take that candy it is dirty, or poisoned or it is mine and then offered you an alternative such as please ask before taking something or gave you a clean piece of candy they would likely not have to use a correction. So please when you are working with your dog also think Direct, Redirect before you think Correct. You and your dog will then have a relationship built on good communication Published through the generous support of the Dimmer Family Foundation 4

5 Support ADC While You Shop If you are interested in supporting the Assistance Dog Club of Puget Sound there are a few options that are available to you! ADCPS has entered into a partnership with both Amazon.com and Fred Meyer. If you would like more information about both options offered by these two corporation you will find it on ADC s website, [ complete with links that will guide you through the process. Understanding the Benefits of Occupational Therapy February 27, 2016 School of Occupational Therapy University of Puget Sound Weyerhauser Hall February s meeting will take place at the University of Puget Sound School of Occupational Therapy. Our members will have the unique opportunity to receive assistance and support from the OT students and the faculty of that department. In the past members have received suggestions regarding different tools that can be used when we are working with our service dogs and many of these means of assistance have been quite creative. The School of Occupational Therapy is located in Weyerhauser Hall located on the left side of N. 11th past the track. Head north on Union Ave. past 6th Ave. Turn right on N. 11th. The parking lot is located just past the the building on the left. Park in the parking lot and enter the building through the main doors. Enter into the lobby and turn right at the hall. The room is the first room directly on right. See you there! Published through the generous support of the Dimmer Family Foundation 5.