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A S S I S TA N C E D O G S O C I E T Y

DOGS WITH W INGS

COURIER
FEATURED WORKING TEAM

Winter 2012

Iynan and Jordan

Our Service Dog, Iynan, entered our lives March 2011, so we are still witnessing the life-long bond between him and our daughter Jordan form. That said, he is already impacting our lives in so many ways. Iynan doesnt accompany Jordan to her school, but he does come with me when I volunteer at the school. When we rst walked together down the halls of Jordans school, I used to hear students saying things like thats a dog! No, really - a real dog! Come see, its a dog! Now that we have had an assembly for the students to explain what Iynan does for Jordan and why she has him, and have posted the Service Dog information sheet on SchoolZone, I hear radically different exclamations - usually reiterating what was said at the assembly: Remember: dont pet
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him, hes working, hes wearing his vest, we cant disturb him. But the best thing I heard was just the other day: Thats Jordans dog!. That phrase told me that my daughter, who is vulnerable to being marginalized by society, has an identity in this school setting; that my daughter is not just some nameless face who can be ignored. My daughter now has a unique quality that others are recognizing, and that others treat as special: she has a Service Dog who helps her. Jordan plays with Iynan - they both adore squeaky toys, and will both readily join in playing with the squeakies. If Jordan has a squeaky, Iynan will perk up and run to play with her. If Iynan has the squeaky, Jordan will perk up and come to investigate (and try to obtain!) the squeaky. Usually, squeaky play ends up in a tug-of-war, with Iynan pulling gently, and Jordan quickly letting go

But Jordan is hanging on longer and longer each time, and learning to stand up for what she wants. As parents of a child with special needs, we have heard the stories of other children like Jordan who were taken advantage of or bullied because they were too easygoing, too accepting, and too gentle to stand up for their rights. It may seem like a simple game of Tugof-War to most people, but to us, its a ray of hope that this skill will serve Jordan well in the future, helping her to assert herself in life. When we are at home with Iynan, Jordan is very relaxed and happy.

Cont. on page 5

Winter 2012

MESSAGE FROM THE EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR

A recent local event has shown how important it is for us to both advocate and educate: Winners unwittingly jumped from the frying pan into the re by twice refusing access to a young girl and her dog. The story quickly grew legs and Winners received all the wrong kind of media attention for a number of days. The story illustrated that even though the Service Dogs Act has been in force in Alberta since 2009 to address this very issue, some pretty big players are seemingly unaware that it is an offence to bar a service dog from premises open to able-bodied people. While the public has become accustomed to welcoming guide dogs, there are many who are unaware that trained service dogs can assist with a wide variety of disabilities and some, like Autism, are not as self-evident as blindness. As an Alberta-based provider of both guide and service dogs, Dogs with Wings did its best to assist when the government was drafting the Service Dogs Act and we continue to assist our clients who deal with difculties being admitted to public places. We must remain willing and able to explain the legislation and how it operates, calmly but rmly. And while this story must have been uncomfortable for Winners, it broadcast to a wide audience that Albertans who use service dogs are protected. Hopefully, this teachable moment will have helped to spread the word so that somewhere else, another child and another merchant will not be embarrassed. But there is another side to this story which also needs telling which is that not every dog in a jacket is a service dog and not every well-loved pet is entitled to the protection of this legislation. We are aware that obtaining a

PAST EVENTS AND LOOKING FORWARD

DOGS WITH W INGS

A S S I S TA N C E D O G S O C I E T Y

2012 BOARD OF DIRECTORS

Toby Ramsden
PRESIDENT

Greg Northcott
VICE PRESIDENT

Wayne Herve
TREASURER

Gail Stanford
SECRETARY

Gay Andrews
DIRECTOR

Marie Gynane-Willis
DIRECTOR

service dog jacket is as easy as accessing the internet these days. But putting a jacket on dear Fido and calling him a service dog will devalue legitimate providers of qualied service dogs. It will also undermine the condence of the public if they see that service dogs can really be just pets in a coat. The public should be aware that they must accommodate service dogs, but that they are not required to accommodate self-trained or unqualied dogs. How does the public know the difference? The government of Alberta issues photo identication to every qualied service and guide dog user in the province. While it is not proper to ask what disability is being catered to, it is perfectly acceptable to ask to see this identication and anyone with a qualied guide or service dog will be pleased to provide it. Likewise with puppies and adult dogs in training, our volunteer handlers can provide identication showing they are associated with an accredited school and are working under the direction of a certied trainer. Dogs with Wings is proud to be an accredited school, whose dogs and clients are protected by law and we will continue to do our part to ensure the system continues to work well for our clients and for the public.
Dogs With Wings Assistance Dog Society

As we prepare for our 2011 Christmas potluck, the memories of last years event are still fresh. This is a time for the whole DWW family volunteers, staff, board members - to join together at the Training Centre for seasonal fun and food and of course the dogs always gure prominently. Were all waiting to see what exquisite treat Maria will bake for the dogs this year. Spring Graduation was a wonderful event this year. With the support of Ed & Paige Stahl, grad was held at the Edmonton Petroleum Club. Prior to the ceremony, the Stahls hosted a lunch for the graduates and their families, the puppy and adult raisers for the dogs graduating. This was a perfect opportunity for our clients to hear some war stories about their dogs while in training, and for our volunteers to learn more about the clients. Those attending the grad saw 10 of our dogs earn their wings and all reports are that these

dogs are doing wonderful jobs for their clients. With the support of Chilis Texas Bar & Grill, our summer volunteer picnic was a huge hit and we look forward to 2012s event. Chilis laid on a real feast of gourmet burgers, salads and all the xings. In past years, this event has been held in Devon, but the opportunity to hold it in the big eld behind the Centre was one we couldnt pass up and a new DWW tradition is born. Thanks go to Chilis for their ongoing support of this event. We did a couple of fun events at local outdoor farmers markets this summer as both Collingwood Farmers Market and the Downtown Farmers Market played host to us. We ran a puppy class at each market, and our training staff provided commentary and also demonstrated some more senior dogs. At DWW, the notion of outreach is pretty large and were looking forward to returning to the markets again in 2012.

Another regular event for us are our monthly demonstrations at West Edmonton Mall, who have graciously agreed to give us free space each month to hold a demonstration class and meet with members of the public who express an interest in us. Not just for kids, it takes a village to raise a pup! Blatchford Hangar, Fort Edmonton Park was host for the 2011 Annual Dogs with a Cause Charity Dinner & Auction. This years crowd was the largest yet and the event raised $40,000. Proceeds of the Gala go to support all programs offered by Dogs with Wings. Next years Gala will see us move to the brand new Enjoy Centre just south of St. Albert. Developed by the Hole Family as part of their gardening business, the Enjoy Centre will be a wonderful home for our event, on Saturday, October 20th, 2012. Mark your calendars now!

Norma Rodenberg
DIRECTOR

Paul McConnell
DIRECTOR

STAFF
John Wheelwright
EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR

Ruth Ann Chafe

ADMINISTRATIVE COORDINATOR

Lindsay Rudolph
K9 PROGRAM COORDINATOR

Birgit Hilsbos
PUPPY SUPERVISOR

New Faces and an Updated Strategic Plan

Our AGM was held in September, and it saw the election of some new members and the departure of some others. Gene Klenke has retired from the Board after many years of dedicated service, as did Cheryl Newton and Marsha Johnston. We thank them for their commitment to Dogs with Wings. Joining the Board as Treasurer is Wayne Herve who brings many years experience as both a banker and business advisor. Greg Northcott, our previous Treasurer has moved to Vice President, and Gail Stanford has taken on the position of Secretary. The Board and core staff also met to renew the strategic direction of the organization and quickly got to work developing an updated plan for Dogs with Wings over the next 3 years. Plans of this type are useful tools for groups like ours as it gives everyone a road map of where we should be at the end of it and hence makes it easier to plot successes and continuing challenges. A Strategic Plan also assists an organization in putting the right resources in place so that the plan is achievable. Lots of hard work, but a necessary exercise as we continue to grow to meet the demand for our wonderful dogs.

Elisa Irlam
CLIENT SERVICES DIRECTOR

Maria Illes
TRAINING DIRECTOR

Shannon Northcott
APPRENTICE TRAINER

Moira Wegner
APPRENTICE TRAINER

Thomas Illes
PEEP COORDINATOR

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Winter 2012

IN MEMORIAM

SUPPORT DOGS WITH WINGS

It is with sadness that we note the passing of a long time Guide Dog user, Maria Pearson in June, 2011. Maria had been a client and then a friend since 1997 when Kobi, DWWs 3rd Guide Dog went to work with her. In 2008 Maria graduated with Vegas. Maria was a very sweet and kind lady who loved her dogs dearly. Maria will truly be missed. In November of 2010, we had to say goodbye to Service Dog Ashton. Ashton was placed with Shaun Russenholt and they

worked as a team for almost 7 years. Shaun is an avid musician and Ashton accompanied Shaun to many parades and concerts throughout his junior and high school years. Shaun is now waiting for a new Service Dog to help him as he moves on to University. We miss you Ashton. In February of this year, our rst ever Service Dog, Aspen passed away. Aspen worked faithfully with Melanie Kozel for 7 years. Melanie says she has deeply missed having Aspen by her side this year and

she is anxiously awaiting her next DWW service dog. Aspen will be forever in our hearts. In July of this year, we lost Service Dog Bastien who lived and worked for Angela Morel in Cochrane for nearly 6 years. Angela has lost a trusted and valued friend. Bastien will always be remembered. And in November we had to say goodbye to our Service Dog Denver, trusted companion to Merle Linden of Medicine Hat. Denver you have left many sad hearts.

Reasons to Give to Dogs with Wings

for a person with a disability.

1 You already know and love Dogs with Wings, and want to do your part to support the valuable work they do. 2 You love the idea of being part of something really important fostering the independence and integration 3 You love dogs and are constantly amazed at all the skills, love and support they offer. 4 You love that our organization is run by Albertans in Alberta for Albertans. 5 You appreciate that Dogs with Wings operates more efciently than any other Canadian assistance dog
school because it means that more of your money goes to supporting programming.

6 You want to support an organization that subscribes to Imagine Canadas ethical guidelines in fundraising. 7 You like being associated with an industry leader in the provision of assistance dogs.
There are many other reasons to give to Dogs with Wings; whats yours?

Iynan and Jordan (continued from cover)

She casually reaches out her hand as she walks by for a lick or two from the puppy tongue, or bends down for a puppy kiss. This is called initiation in therapeutic circles, and its a huge milestone for a child with autism to come out of their worlds bubble and into ours. Our daughter has giggled and laughed more since Iynan has come into our lives than ever before. She is so very happy to see her puppy being silly, or to play with him. She especially enjoys hearing him bark and growl, and will laugh so hard that tears come out of her eyes and she can hardly breathe. We cherish these moments, because for too long, Jordan was unemotional, at, disinterested in the world around her. Iynan is in her world now, and he is helping to bring Jordan into ours.
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Iynans impact on me, personally, is one I didnt expect: when Iynan and I are out in public, running errands together, we draw attention. It cant be helped hes a beautiful dog! But where in the past I would shy away from the attention and withdraw into myself, I nd myself walking proudly with this gorgeous soul beside me. I feel people staring, and its okay. If I feel like the attention thats directed to me is getting to be too much for me to handle, I have a warm head I can pet and scratch while we are waiting in line, and that makes it all okay. I had no idea that I was carrying around this social anxiety, a by-product of having a child with special needs. Our family garners more than its fair share of attention; being a blended Chinese and Western family, and with Jordan being so tall and so

very active - people stare. People try to gure out what it is that doesnt quite add up when they see my daughter, who looks like a typical seven year old, but is behaving like a one-year-old. People comment. But like I said, now people can stare, and its okay. When we are in public as a family, its easier because we have Iynan to ease our stress, and its easier because Iynan is a visible signal that Jordan has a legitimate reason for not behaving the way youd expect a 7-year old girl to behave. There is more forgiveness and understanding on peoples faces, and a softening in their gazes when they see Jordan and her beautiful dog together.

The personal information you provide is used for the purpose of maintaining contact with you. Dogs With Wings does not sell, trade or otherwise share your information.

Winter 2012

THE DOG PILE

IVORY HELPS KIDS AT SUMMER CAMP AND SCHOOL

Whos got a puppy?

Anyone who is familiar with us knows how we feel about our volunteers. For lots of organizations volunteers are important; for Dogs with Wings, we literally could not operate without the more than 200 people who help us in our work. The following people are our most recent group of puppy raisers whove agreed to take on the responsibility of guiding an animal through those rst stages of oh-so-important training. We salute you! Dog
Merlot Monroe Mickey Murdoch Merlin Ramsay Major Max Molly Maverick Mac

As an individual whom has worked with children and adults with special needs for the last ten years, I am well aware of the various challenges they face. I work as a teacher in a special needs classroom, as well as co-ordinate a summer program for the Alberta Association for the Dependently Handicapped. I am constantly looking for new ways to improve the overall independence and quality of life for my students/ campers. Each of these individuals has amazing gifts and it is my job to nd out how we can best utilize them. I found out about Dogs With Wings through a teaching colleague, who had recently heard that there was a service dog working in a neighboring school. I immediately contacted the school to set up a visit and this is where the journey to receiving our classroom/summer-camp service dog began. After seeing in person, the numerous successes this service dog had made happen, I knew immediately that I needed a Dogs With Wings dog to work with my students and summer program. I received Ivory in the spring of 2011 and the success stories have been accumulating ever since. Ivory works in my classroom daily, performing a variety of jobs with each student. He also works throughout the summer, with up to 25 different children with special needs. Some days he works as a comforting friend calming a child who not one of the numerous adults in the room could console. Some days he works as a safety patro allowing our children to

walk safely in the community, while keeping them safe from bolting onto the road. And some days he works as a motivator encouraging a child, who often refuses to leave their wheelchair, to take a few steps in their walker so they can make it over to Ivory to give him a pet. In the school setting, Ivory is not only utilized by my classroom, but a variety of other children in the school as well. Children from the Specialized Therapy Educational Play Program (a program designed for children with autism spectrum disorder), have daily interactions with Ivory on their school days. Other students around the school (with a variety of medical, emotional and behavior needs)

come to visit Ivory on a regular basis. I recently had a colleague tell me that a student, who refused to ever write more than their name, wrote three full sentences about how much they love Ivory. There is continual afrmation that Ivory has not only touched the lives of students in my classroom and summer camp, but of the whole school community. The benets and success stories are non-stop and I cant wait to see what Ivory helps another individual accomplish next.

Colour
Female/Yellow Female/Yellow Female/Black Male/Black Male/Yellow Male/Yellow Male/Yellow Male/Yellow Female/Yellow Male/Yellow Male/Black

Volunteer
Pam M. Corinne S. Baylea W. Brenda A. Desiree L. Grifn K. Christine S. Paula W. & Carolyn C. Wendy C. 4-H Club, Grande Prairie 4-H Club, Grande Prairie

Sponsor

Sincerely,

Rintoul UA488

Keri-Ann Kozmak

Oilman Rintoul Rintoul Cessco

Grande Prairie Fireghters

Recent Gifts Ensure our Success

Dogs with Wings has been exceedingly fortunate lately to have received some remarkable gifts. The Stollery Charitable Foundation that has done so much for health in our province made a gift of $30,000 to fund the purchase of a new training van. The Realtors Community Foundation added $5,000 in order to outt the van for use. Presidents Choice Childrens Charity also made a signicant gift of $20,000 to pay for team training for our next Autism Service Dog class. Dogs with Wings Assistance Dog Society wishes to acknowledge these groups and all who support us in our work.

Husky Community Rebate Program

You need gas we need cash! Since Husky introduced its Community Rebate Program, they have given nearly $700,000 to community groups and Dogs with Wings is part of the program. Make a purchase at Husky or Mohawk gas stations, or a Husky House Restaurant, swipe your free magnetic card and Husky will give us 2% of the purchase. Husky keeps track of the purchases and automatically sends us a cheque every 3 months. Theres no cost to you, the cards are free and available at our ofce. Call Ruth Ann to reserve yours today!
Dogs With Wings Assistance Dog Society

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Winter 2012

HEADLINE

Did You Know?

You dont need a Facebook account to visit our page anyone can look at the pictures and news items we post there regularly simply by entering the page address like any other internet web page. Go to: www.facebook.com/DogswithWings

DOGS WITH W INGS

A S S I S TA N C E D O G S O C I E T Y

Please return all Canadian undeliverable to: 11343 - 174 Street NW Edmonton, Alberta T5S 0B7 Toll free: 877-252-9433 Email: info@dogswithwings.ca Web: www.dogswithwings.ca

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