Echo Update

Echo has had a busy  week with field trips and training.  We've been doing 3 training sessions a day plus trying to get him out in the public each day.   So far he seems to be doing very well with the exception of being timid with strangers (stranger danger:) and not liking to walk on hard, cold floors. 

We've had him to a few stores and he did awesome.  He has been mostly receptive to the new situations, but has growled once or twice- not out of aggression but fear.  Echo is very timid with strangers so we need to work with him and build up his confidence so he isn't so fearful of everyone.

Last night was Kaitlin's Cauze Family Fun Night at our local Friendly's restaraunt.  We decided to take Echo for a brief appearance just so he could start getting used to places like that.  He did well for 2 hours and behaved like a gentleman, although he whined a lot.  He even laid under the table while my parents ate and left all the "food drops" alone.  A food drop is when we drop food on the floor by him and tell him to "leave it".  If he leaves it, we pick up the temptation, praise him, and give him one of his treats.  As the restaraunt got crowded Echo became more timid/stressed so my mom took him home for the evening.

Echo has been doing well with basic training and quite a few commands already.  We are currently working on him POSTING.  I'm guessing he'll have this within a few weeks.  He's an intelligently, manipulative dog that requires us to stay on our toes at all times.

Stay tuned because I will be posting a video very, very, very soon.

Love,
Kait

Echo, Service Dog in Training?

Echo, my Australian Shepherd



When I was first diagnosed with epilepsy my dad mentioned we should get a seizure dog.  A seizure dog can be trained to respond to seizures and may even have the ability to alert to an oncoming seizure.  My mom didn't think a seizure dog was needed because in the beginning my seizures seemed to be well controlled.


We got Echo last year as a family pet and had no intention of trying to train him to be my seizure dog.  He's been a great addition to our family.  Over the summer my seizure type changed and I began having more seizures.  Fortunately they seem to be simple partials and present as stomach pain, nausea, vomiting.  In November I had an unwitnessed seizure. 2 hours before the seizure happened, Echo would not leave me alone.  He kept jumping on me and following me around the house.  We didn't think anything of it and I left to see a movie.  When I came home, the same thing happened.  Echo kept jumping on me and wouldn't leave me alone and even started barking at me.  Within 30 minutes I had a seizure.


A few weeks ago I was at my friends house when I had another seizure.  I came home and as soon as I walked in the door Echo started jumping on me.  He followed me everywhere until I laid down on the couch and then he sniffed me and laid down next to me on the floor.  I didn't tell my parents, but while laying on the couch my stomach started hurting again and I got nauseated.  That was probably another seizure.


We made a family decision this evening that we will invest the time and energy into trying to train Echo to be a seizure alert/response dog.  He seems to already alert so we will need to work on other training with him. This will be a huge undertaking for us because we really do not have any experience in training. 


My mom said she would feel better when I go out if I had a seizure dog with me.  She knows that it's not always possible for my friends to go with me and a seizure dog would be peace of mind for her.


I know if anyone can do it, my family can.  I will keep you updated on our progress through this blog.


Love,
Kaitlin

Treating Service Dogs With Respect.

My mom told me of some of the challenges that people with service dogs face.  One particular story frustrated me enough to want to write about it...

Did you know that there are service dogs who have to put up with people (the general public) bullying them?  What has this world come to that some people feel it's "funny" to pick on a service dog?

Service dogs have a JOB to do and they are unable to do that job when mindless cowards are creating a distraction.  I'm talking about people jumping out at these dogs, scaring them.  Or poking them, barking at them, stomping their foot at them and even yelling at them.  Seriously?  This is what our schools allow within the confines of their 4 walls?

The particular story that I'm writing about is about a senior in high school who has epilepsy.  She takes her service dog with her because he is TRAINED to alert and respond to her seizures.  He gives her peace of mind knowing that if a seizure is going to happen, he will take care of her.  He is the reason she is able to attend school and be a normal teenager.

Yet you have these spineless bullies who feel the need to torment not only the girl, but the dog.  And the teachers DO NOTHING!  Do we need to have laws in place that protect service dogs- like a zero tolerance for dogs?

I'm only 13 years old but I know what's wrong in the world today.  Too much emphasis is placed on material things in an effort to maintain a feeling of power.  Well guess what?  I don't care about how much money you have, or the house you live in, or the clothes you wear.  Having material wealth does not make you better than anyone else and does not give you the right to bully others.

And parents... why aren't you setting a better example for your kids?  Why are you allowing them to be rude and disrepectful to others?  Why don't you STOP the behavior?  Being a parent is more than providing material things for your kids.  Being a parent means you will teach right from wrong (assuming of course that you even know what that means), it's about correcting behavior that is unacceptable, teaching that they should treat everyone equal, and teaching them to have compassion toward others.

Kids... WHY do you think it's ok to bully a service dog?  Does it make you feel superior?  Do you think it's funny?

Here's a clue- you aren't funny, you aren't even cool.  You're just ignorant.

I Resolve To...

I am like my mom, I don't typically write resolutions for the new year.  I decided to give it a go this year and see how far I get...

Kaitlin's New Year's Resolutions

1.  I will eat healthier.  Can I add that my mom is forcing me?  What's wrong with doritoes and rootbeer?

2.  I will keep my room cleaner.  (yeah right)

3.  I will devote more time to practicing my drums and keyboard.  (ear plugs anyone?)

4.  I will spend less time on my laptop.  (HAHAHAHAHA)

5.  I will remember to take my medicine without a reminder from my parents. 

6.  I will do more work with Kaitlin's Cauze- in Colorado and Florida :)