Shasta Receives AKC ACE Award Nomination

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Written by K9 Partners for Patriots

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News

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August 15, 2015

Discover why flea markets may not be the best environment for service dogs.

Learn about risks, distractions, and considerations for handlers.

1. Crowded Environment: Flea markets are often bustling with crowds, which can be overwhelming for a service dog. The dog may become stressed or anxious in such a busy atmosphere.

2. Distractions: Flea markets are filled with various sights, sounds, and smells that can distract a service dog from its duties. This could potentially compromise its ability to assist its handler effectively.

3. Unpredictable Behavior of Other Animals: Other visitors to the flea market may bring their pets along, which can lead to encounters with unfamiliar animals. This may pose a risk to the safety and focus of the service dog.

4. Risk of Injury: With so many people moving around and browsing items, there’s an increased risk of accidental tripping or stepping on the service dog, which could lead to injury.

5. Exposure to Unsanitary Conditions: Flea markets may not always maintain the cleanest environment, and the service dog may come into contact with unsanitary surfaces or substances.

6. Lack of Accommodation for the Dog: Flea markets may not be equipped to handle service dogs properly, such as providing suitable resting areas, water, or relief spots for the dog.

7. Potential Stress for the Dog: A flea market’s constant stimulation and unfamiliar surroundings could cause stress or discomfort for the service dog, which may affect its overall well-being and ability to perform its tasks.

Given these factors, it’s important for service dog handlers to carefully consider whether taking their dog to a flea market is truly necessary and in the best interest of the dog’s welfare and effectiveness in assisting its handler.

AKC ACE Award Nominee and Worthy Candidate

Shasta has been nominated by one of K9 Partners for Patriots program Veterans and has received an AKC Humane Fund ACE Certificate of Recognition in acknowledgement of her nomination for the AKC ACE Award.

The AKC Humane Fund Awards For Canine Excellence (ACE)

The Awards for Canine Excellence celebrate canine heroes in appreciation for the inspiring ways in which they contribute to the lives of mankind. Each year, five loyal, hard-working dogs are commemorated for making significant contributions to an individual or their communities.

SHASTA’S STORY

Told by Mary Peter

Often times in life it is from deplorable events that our greatest blessings emerge. There were people all around that day and no one saw who tied this young dog (about 4-5 months old) by the neck to the fence at the Humane Society of the Nature Coast where I was conducting dog training classes.

I was training a dog for one of my clients when I walked past the iron fence into my training ring. There was nothing at the fence at the time. Certainly no little dog tied to it, just a lonely fence. I turned around to take the leash of another dog and there she appeared, as if out of thin air. Amazingly quiet and calm, she wasn’t whining, barking or trying to get away just sitting there, as if she knew why she had come.

As a trainer, I know this is not normal behavior for a dog that had just been abandoned. Perhaps Shasta knew, she hadn’t been abandoned, she had been delivered. Perhaps something in me knew it too because I collected her from the Humane Society the moment she became available for adoption and we began our journey together to help Veterans with PTSD and TBI.

Veterans with PTSD / TBI

I was already working with Veterans diagnosed with service related PTSD when Shasta came into my life. I began to notice something very special about Shasta when there were Veterans in her presence that began to experience anxiety. She would migrate over to them, climb up in their lap and ‘hold’ them until their anxiety subsided. Then she would get down and lay beside them. If the anxiety returned, she would repeat that same process of care.

In confirmation of loyalty to her gift, Shasta will not be persuaded to leave a Veteran in distress, not even if called by me to “come”.

As more and more Veterans entered The K9 Partners for Patriots Program, they were introduced to Shasta who would sit with them while they watched the Veteran / Dog Teams train so they would feel more comfortable. Once we paired the Veteran up with their own dog, Shasta would move to the next Veteran that needed her comfort.

Whenever Shasta sees one of “her” Veterans come into the training facility, her tail wags and she runs up to each of them. If she feels they “need” her, she will push past their own service dog to go to work for “Her Veterans”.