By Mimi Maddock Mimi@TheColumbiaStar.com

Photo contributed by PAALS These three service dogs celebrated their graduation at the Manor House at 320 Senate Street Thursday, September 18, 2008, with their trainers, new owners, and the board members of PAALS. (l- r) Aubrey will be working with Smith Pruitt, a child with autism; Yates with Stephanie Terry, a physical therapist, and Emmie with Dr. Elizabeth Riggs.

A 911 call by a German Shepherd that saved its master's life has been all over the news recently. In Columbia, however, three two- year- old labradors can also claim outstanding talents.

Aubrey, Yates, and Emmie have been in training since they were eight weeks old for PAALS (Palmetto Animal Assisted Life Services). Volunteers of the organization under the direction of executive director Jen Rogers trained these three to be service dogs in South Carolina. The dogs are trained to assist people with disabilities, however, not the blind or hearing impaired.

Service dogs need to have moderate energy, good social skills, and confidence in all environments and with all people and animals and be physically fit. So far golden retrievers and labrador retrievers have been found to make the best service dogs.

Emmie practices cutting on and off lights with trainer Emily Risha.

During training these animals are exposed to many situations. For example, Yates was taken to Workshop Theatre's Fiddler on the Roof to experience crowds.

Every part of the training is positive. The dogs are given treats for their successes and praised for their achievements. They work when needed but are also given play time and love by their trainers and companions.

Service dogs learn common commands and also commands specific to the person they are serving.

Last week the dogs graduated from training and became working dogs with their new masters. Now the pairs are practicing specific activities together.

Aubrey has been trained as a companion for Smith Pruitt, a child with autism. Aubrey leans on certain pressure points of Smith's body when it is necessary to stabilize him. He also braces himself if Smith begins running. This gives Smith's moth- er Aaron time to hold onto to Smith to keep him from running off. Aubrey picks up Smith's clothes so it does not take the child so long to dress. The dog is a friend and companion to Smith helping him with social and real life skills.

Dr. Elizabeth Riggs gives a lap command to Emmie.

Emmie is a mixed labrador. She is Dr. Elizabeth Riggs's (Windy) companion. Riggs has a disability which limits her ability to use her arms, legs, and back. Riggs walks with a cane or is in a wheelchair. Because Riggs sometimes has trouble holding onto to things, Emmie can pick up Riggs's cane, her own leash, a land phone, a cell phone, and keys. Emmie can also cut lights on and off and open doors.

When Riggs was asked what Emmie means to her, she could hardly speak for the tears. She said Emmie had given her back some independence. Her husband said Emmie had taken some of his responsibilities, and he now had time to do things he needed to do.

Yates will be the companion of Stephanie Terry, a physical therapist who works with patients who have neurological injuries. One of his duties is to brace himself so that patient can use him to stand.

Aaron and Smith Pruitt welcome Aubrey into their lives.

Jen Rogers founded PAALS. She is a graduate of a service dog trainers program at the National Education for Assistance Dog Services (NEADS). She also had experience working with children with autism in her fourth year at Rutgers University. Rogers has more than 14 years of professional experience with marine mammal training, zoo animal education, and horse therapy programs. She also has created and worked in educational programs for various special needs populations. Her vision has been to combine all of these skills in a program such as PAALS.

The national average for the cost of breeding, raising, training, certifying and placing a service dog is $20,000. The client is asked to pay one third of the cost. The rest of the $20,000 comes from donations. For more information visit www.paals.org or call (803)788-7063.

Service dog vocabulary words

pup pup name come sit watch ye easy free time wait OK Do business heel side front back stand touch under closer turn my lap off get dressed speak quiet place through go leave it have it  

Specific for Dr. Riggs

get it thank you nudge tug push cane cell keys crawl take it hold target paws
 

Catherine Graham, a volunteer trainer, gives hand signals to Grace who has been in training one year.   Aaron Pruitt congratulates Aubrey on his graduation. Stephanie Terry gives hand signals to Yates. Constantine "Gus" Manos