Wisconsin Academy for Graduate Service Dogs (WAGS): Promoting Independence and Quality of Life through Partnerships with Service Dogs.

WAGS Family Service Dog, Echo was born on March 16, 2006. His breeders are Amy and Rick Krumenauer of Decorah Goldens located in Oshkosh, WI. Echo was just a little ball of fur when he started his training with WAGS on May 11, 2006. He was one of four young puppies in our program at that time, joining Elliott, Enzo and Ezra. WAGS, like many other Service Dog organizations, names our dogs alphabetically every six months – January thru June is one letter; July through December is the next letter.

     Echo began his training in Elmbrook, WI with WAGS Volunteer Puppy Raiser Peggy Lindholm, her husband Gary and their pet dog Emma. WAGS has been blessed with three puppies from Emma – Dylan, Dexter and Ian.

     Echo received wonderful care and training – as well as the skill to kayak. People sometimes ask, “Doesn’t your WAGS puppy ever get to play?” We understand that they only see the puppy when he’s working/training. Most people never get to see the moment we arrive back home in the puppy’s known, loving environment. So, the answer is ABSOLUTELY, these puppies definitely get to play.  WAGS Puppy Raisers do not allow bad behavior even during play – rushing out doors, climbing all over us or others when we are on the floor, playing rough with other puppies or dogs or playing keep away.  We have to pay particular attention to this when we consider that these puppies are hopefully going to grow into Service Dogs, Home Helpmates or Therapy Dogs and live or work with people who may not have the physical ability to prevent behaviors that could injure the dog or themselves. For example, when a person with a physical disability is on the floor and the dog runs over to them, they want the dog to stand, sit or lie beside of them as opposed to flinging its’ body onto theirs in play. When the person opens their front door using the electronic button on their wheelchair, they want their dog to stay inside the house until it’s safe to go outside. And, when they ask the dog to retrieve something, they want the dog to bring it to them, not play keep away.

     And, haven already raised and trained WAGS puppy Cajun, Peggy knew the value of good behavior as well as skills. As a result of good breeding, WAGS belief in early puppy education and Peggy’s abilities as a trainer, by the time Echo was six months old, he knew all his basic skills, had great retrieving, tug (for opening doors) and “nose it” (for closing doors) skills and was a joy to be with in public and at home.

     As Echo was growing up, other WAGS dogs were being placed with their “person” – someone who needed the skills of a Service Dog. That left a space for Echo to move and continue his training – not to mention the opportunity to go to completely different places. Echo moved to Fitchburg, WI with Volunteer Puppy Raiser Mike Croft and attended classes at MATC with Mike. He now lived with Mike and Sonjia, their pet dog Lacy and three mules. But, it wasn’t long before we realized that, based on where Echo was going to be placed, it would be better if he lived with a Volunteer Puppy Raiser who had children and was involved in several children’s activities. Echo moved just a few miles away to live with Volunteer Puppy Raiser Monica Messina, her husband Ernesto and their three children Isabella, Elena and Stefano. Monica continued Echo’s training, taking him to children’s theatre, practicing safe loading, riding and unloading from City of Madison Metro Transit busses. Monica remembers Echo as being a very calm puppy. “You would have thought that nothing could get him going - he would just lie there like a Buddha - until you said the word "Frisbee”. It was so much fun for us -- we humans would cheer and cheer for him to catch it in time, and after he caught it, he would trot back to us, head and tail held high, to return the Frisbee and do it again and again!” Yep, service dogs-in-training definitely get to play! They HAVE to, they’re DOGS!

     On July 10, 2007 we began Family Service Dog Team Training with Leah Sinclair and Echo and Leah’s mom, Lori. Since Leah was only 12 years old, Team Training involved training both of Leah’s parents as primary handlers of Echo. Leah and her family live in Darlington, WI and traveled to WAGS for the initial training sessions. We started our training at the WAGS facility with the usual fanfare of greetings and then settled into a morning of information on federal/state laws for service animals, dog psychology and care as well as hands-on training. It wasn’t long before Leah and Echo met eye to eye – when Leah sat on the floor of the WAGS facility with Echo. Leah’s motor, verbal and memory skills were about to improve because of Echo. Like dogs in R.E.A.D. programs, Echo’s patience would prove to be invaluable. His ability to simply stand for Leah to pet him and respond when the word wasn’t exactly what he was used to hearing would mean that she could take her time.

     The next meeting was similar for Leah, Echo and me but Leah’s dad, Jim was now being trained. We started in the safe and familiar environment of the WAGS facility and then moved to “pottying” and safe car loading procedures as we headed to East Towne Mall here in Madison. Echo was able to show his skill for pushing the “Press Here” button to help Jim easily navigate Leah’s wheelchair through doors. Having already had training with wheelchairs, Echo knew exactly how to “go through” ahead of them or “behind” them – depending on how the door opened and closed. This, however, was training that the “people” part of Team Training needed to prevent Echo’s paws from being pinched by a door closing or opening. Once inside, we practiced loose leash walking, getting safely on and off the elevator, going through stores and getting lunch at the Food Court. All the while, Echo was the definition of Service Dogs – he was an “unobtrusive helpmate”.

     Echo and I headed to Leah’s hometown of Darlington, WI the following week for a day of “home” training that included working with the elevator in their home as well as discussing with the family how Leah’s brother, Michael, could help get Echo lots of exercise. Leah, Echo and Lori continued their training on a field trip in Darlington starting with lunch where they practiced car loading and unloading, “under” – the place where Echo stayed while we ate - as well as all the basic commands they had learned at the WAGS facility. From there we walked up the street to the library where people asked Lori if they could pet her dog. Lori reminded them to ask Leah since it was her Service Dog. And Leah talked with them about Echo and what he would be doing for her. We ended the day practicing elevator loading and unloading at the court house. Leah was excited that Echo and I would be returning in just a couple of days for more training and for Echo’s first overnight stay. Echo and I returned to Madison and Leah headed off to play practice - Twinderella. She is involved in many activities in her school and community.

     Unfortunately, I had to call and let them know that the return trip would be delayed due to Echo having diarrhea and throwing up. Fortunately, it was just a “24 hour bug” (a partially eaten Frisbee) and we rescheduled the trip for the following week. One thing about the Service Dog business, we have to be flexible and change quickly.

     When Echo and I arrived at Leah’s home, he went over and hung out with Leah while I sat with Lori and Jim discussing Echo’s previous veterinary care, WAGS’ contract and follow-up schedule.  Michael, Leah and Echo joined us and looked at pictures of Echo when he was a young pup.  Echo had just completed “shooting” a Public Service Announcement (PSA) with John Stofflet for Channel 15 about volunteer opportunities at WAGS and the upcoming Fall Fundraiser. To this day, Leah still has total strangers come up to her who know Echo from that PSA on Channel 15.

     We spent the rest of the day training at home and then Leah, Echo and Jim continued their training with me on a field trip to the grocery store and hardware store. I left Echo in their care that day and drove alone back to Madison. Fortunately, Jim called that evening and said that Echo was doing wonderful and had already gotten lots of exercise. As part of WAGS follow-up schedule, I returned to Darlington the next week (after routine phone calls from Leah’s family giving us updates) and worked on specific training areas, another field trip to the bank and drug store, and a chance to love on Echo. Lori said that Echo loved putting his head in Leah’s lap because she petted him all the time.

     Over the following year, I would see him five more times and keep in touch with them on a monthly basis. I met them at Leah’s Girl Scout meeting in Darlington and again at Leah’s physical therapy appointment in Madison and several times in their home. We were grateful to see Leah, Echo and Lori at the WAGS Annual Fall Fundraiser in October 2007 and, six months after placement, on February 16, 2008 Leah and Echo (with Jim) passed their Public Access Test with flying colors. Echo had become an important part of their family and Leah’s life.  Echo runs with Leah’s brother, Michael and plays LOTS of Frisbee!  Just like our dogs-in-training, working WAGS dogs also get LOTS of great play time. It’s a requirement of placement that these dogs get adequate exercise. 

     I saw them at their one year anniversary in August 2008 and watched as Leah was able to remember even more commands – having Echo retrieve his Frisbee. More importantly, I watched as she had her hand on his head, loving on him. “Sometimes,” Lori said, “I have to remind her to get her fingers out of Echo’s eyes. He doesn’t even care, though.” That’s our Echo – unflappable. I took lots of pictures and sent them and an update to Echo’s Puppy Raisers and Volunteer Sitters. We may not keep these dogs in our homes all their lives, but they live forever in our hearts. We lovingly look forward to watching Echo and Leah grow up together.