Helpers, partners, friends, lifesavers

Seeing eye dogs help their mentally and physically challenged partners.
By L. CROW
VINDICATOR CORRESPONDENT
The history of training seeing eye dogs to assist the blind dates back to 1927. Since then, the use of animals to help physically or mentally challenged people has continued to expand. Animals are now used to help people with a wide range of needs, from children with autism, to people with physical challenges, or simply providing mental stimulation for nursing home residents.
There are numerous nonprofit organizations that train animals and the people that they will be helping. One of the newer ones is based very close to home. Canine Partners for Life, of Cochranville, Pa., was founded in 1989 by Darlene Sullivan in her garage with one dog.
They now have service dog teams in 17 states, but focus their efforts around a 250-mile radius of Cochranville. This organization trains dogs to assist people with various mobility impairments, ranging from muscular dystrophy, spina bifida, cerebral palsy, para- or quadriplegia, or those who have suffered strokes, polio or brain injury, to name a few. They also train seizure alert dogs, and companion dogs for both individual and group homes.
Who they help
Tara McKibben of Youngstown will soon receive a service dog from CPL. She has been speaking to area organizations in an effort to raise money for the high cost of hotel fees when she will stay near Philadelphia for the required three weeks of training.
She recently spoke at the Boardman Rotary Club, and shared a little about herself and her experience with the program. Tara, who grew up in Champion and graduated from Youngstown State University with a degree in nursing, was diagnosed with muscular sclerosis in 1984, and again in 2000.
"There is an extensive application process," she said. "I first had an interview, then two different classes to decide whether this was something I wanted to pursue, and whether the program was appropriate for my needs. I am the first person in Northeast Ohio to get a service dog from CPL."
Unlike some of the other organizations, CPL doesn't charge for the cost of the dog or the training, which amounts to over $18,000 per dog. They only charge for the cost of the specially made harness, which is $900. McKibben's greatest expense will be her lodging during the training period. After the three weeks, she and her new dog, April, a black lab, will be tested. If they pass, April will be permitted to come home with McKibben.
"This year there is a very large class of 15," McKibben continued. "We will train every day at the facility, and we will also go out on field trips, such as to a restaurant, zoo, or train ride to Philly." The training runs from June 17 to July 9.
McKibben, who often uses a wheelchair, is sometimes able to walk. She said that April will help provide balance for her while she is walking. April will also be able to open doors, pick things up, drag a laundry basket and hand McKibben laundry to fold, clear the table, and open the refrigerator door. "But she won't be able to iron," McKibben jokes.
Both April and McKibben will have a new set of responsibilities when they begin their life together. "I will be learning to really observe her for problems," she said. "Sometimes she may need chiropractic adjustments. I will be caring for her from the top down, doing things like removing tartar from her teeth and trimming her nails.
Canine qualifications
The dogs that are suitable may be mixed breeds with Labrador or Golden retriever in the mix, or pure breeds, also including border collies, some pointers and setters, poodles, and greyhounds. About 20 percent of the dogs have been rescued from shelters.
"German shepherds are usually not used because there are very few that do not have some kind of hip dysplasia," said Roberta Knauf. Knauf is a volunteer with CPL, and McKibben's liaison with the organization, accompanying her to the meetings. She also works with the Prison Puppy Raising Program. Inmates in several local correctional centers are taught how to prepare puppies that will be trained as service animals.
People may also volunteer to raise a puppy in their home. For more information about the organization, or to make a donation to CPL or help McKibben with her hotel costs, contact Knauf at (724) 962-0938, or dogguru@infonline.net, or go to www.k94life.org.