Stiggy’s Dogs were taking Bella, Stig, Gibbs and Hershey through the test.  Because there is such a gray area for Service Dogs, it is an even grayer area for Psychiatric Services Dogs(PSD).  Our Director of Training, Donna Fournier , has set  a pathway of guidelines for us to pioneer these standards: Canine Good Citizen Test, 120 total training hours:-90 hours Basic obedience plus  30 socialization and task training, Psychiatric Service Dogs Access Test before Deployment. Then ongoing weekly training with Veteran for first 6 months and lifetime training after.

Canine Good Citizen is an industry standard set from the American Kennel Club(AKC). This test shows your dog is ready to be in public. Your dog can walk well on a loose leash through a crowd, can be a neutral dog when meeting a stranger, then a stranger with another dog, be left alone for a stranger while you leave the room for three (long) minutes! Your dog can ‘stay’,’ come’ and ‘lay down’, (all on command) and while the owner walks away and back.

Hershey was being taken through with his Veteran, Terran Frye. Terran has spent every day here, at The barracks, working with Hershey, not just preparing her for this test, but working with Hershey on tasks, Socializing her, and even a trip to his Dr, appointment. They both have grown leaps and bounds in these past weeks. I have been so proud to be a part of this transition. Hershey and Terran walked through the entire test with ease, Hershey following Terran side by side. When it came to the “down” command for Terran and Hershey, she wouldn’t do it. Terran asked the allowed twice, she would not lay down.  Of course for the hardest part of the test, the separation, Hershey lay right down and even crossed her paws! You are allowed to retest on part of the test, they tried. Hershey will lie down in the housing area, but not in the testing area. The disappointment and frustration worn on Terran’s face, was felt by us all. We have been so proud of them, and to not pass seemed wrong. I secretly wanted Donna to pass them anyway, knowing Hershey knew the command and have done it dozens of times. However, integrity with our organization is foremost, and knowing they have done this, is knowing that they will do this again when tested next time! (This week)

Stig and Gibbs passed with flying colors. Both loving to work. Stig and Gibbs both were neutral dogs for others testing, which for Stig is a huge deal. This was his downfall in the past, now he was a superstar! Gibbs was so good, he even fell asleep on the floor during the 3 minute separation test!

Bella passed also, she did have to retake one part, listening to the ‘come’ command. There were a lot of distractions in the front of the house, people coming in, another dog coming to test. All making is difficulty for Bella. However, with her Bella goodness, she overcame all the distractions, and passed!

Thank you Pat Kaye and Jennifer Haggen for volunteering your time to help be our ‘strangers’ for the test. Thank you Jen Guthrie, ProK-9 trainer for Bella, for all the work you have done to get Bella ready for a Service Dog!

This is only the beginning for these dogs, one small tail wag towards a Stiggy’s Psychiatric Service Dog!

Ooorrah!