My Name Is Molly

SERVICE DOG CERTIFICATION I was originally certified by Pawsibilities Unleashed as a Service Dog to provide mobility assistance to a person in need.  I helped with balance, retrieved objects out of reach and opened & closed doors of all sorts, just for starters.   I had to learn how to fetch a metal crutch (when dropped) and a walking cane, and I did both with ease.  I got really good at doing my job and ended up becoming a “demonstration Service Dog” at Pawsibilities Unleashed.  Liz, the Master Trainer, suggested that I get some cross-training so I could demonstrate additional skills to people with different needs.   I now perform Service Dog skills for mobility assistance, diabetic alert, and seizure alert.  I show the new Service Dog recipients that anything is possible.  Sometimes they practice with me first and then with their new Service Dog.    Other times, I demonstrate a special skill that their Service Dog has not learned yet, like responding to the word “HELP!”  or picking up laundry and putting it in the basket.  HIGHLIGHTS - DIABETIC ALERT My claim to fame happened last summer, when I alerted to a dangerous blood sugar drop in a 3 year-old diabetic girl.  You see, I was demonstrating some of my skills to a family getting ready for their own Diabetic Alert Service Dog for a young girl, when I noticed something wrong with the child.  I did a 180 degree turn around to face the little girl and I “told” my owner and Liz, the Master Trainer,  that something wasn’t right. I just zeroed in on the girl’s palms and breath and made repeated eye contact with my owner and Liz.  Then, Liz immediately suggested that the mom test the little girl’s blood sugar.  It had plummeted to 40 (that’s really low!) and by the the little girl was just starting to look ill.  Fortunately, the people were able to control the situation in time to prevent a serious situation, thanks to me! 

Well, 2008 was a grand year for me, Molly the Therapy Dog.  My log book is full of therapy visits and I met lots of great people, traveled to from my home in Kentucky to Virginia, North Carolina, and South Carolina.   During the first part of the year, I did a lot of therapy work in places like schools, nursing homes, outdoor events.  During the summer and fall, I spent most of my time helping at Pawsibilities Unleashed as a demonstration Service Dog. My Diabetic Alert story:In the Pawsibilities Unleashed class, I met a 3 year old girl who was receiving her Diabetic Alert Service Dog from Pawsibilities, and I showed her family how I alert to a dangerous blood sugar low.  Actually, I was doing some drills with my owner, Kimberly, when I noticed that something wasn’t quite right with the little girl.   I made a big fuss all of a sudden and I kept looking at Kimberly and the Master Trainer, Liz Norris.  Liz said, “Mom, you need to check your daughter’s blood sugar because Molly is telling us something is wrong.” The mom said, “no, I think she’s fine” but Liz insisted.  By the time the mom did a blood sugar check about 60 seconds later, it had dropped to 40 and the little girl was looking very sickly.   I was a super star.I mostly demonstrated mobility assistance skills, such as the one that helps people get up when they fall, using me as a brace.  When Liz, the Master Trainer, needs a “show & tell” example, Kimberly gets me to demonstrate the skills, then she shows the other people how to teach their dogs the same things.  Be sure to look at my list of skills and tricks on my SKILLS page.In 2009, I am supposed to start volunteering in the school system to help a young blind girl.  I am really excited about helping people and making them smile!Cheers and slobbers,Molly the Therapy Dog 

Today, I went back to Abilities Unlimited, an adult day center for people with special needs.  Well, I knew where I was going before we even parked the car.  I was eager to get up the stairs and make my first acquaintance of the day.  

Immediately when I walked in the door, a lady greeted me with smiles and cheers.  She took a hold of my leash (Kimberly said it was okay so I believed her) and trotted off with the lady.  She said something that sounded like “heel” in a really loud voice and I figured it out pretty quickly and followed her.  Then she wanted me to “sit” and I did.  The lady didn’t speak very well but really wanted her other classmates to meet me.  She took me from person to person to say “hello.”  

After the introductions, it was my turn to do some tricks.  I let some of the people there give the commands and I tried my hardest to figure out what to do.  Kimberly gave me some hints. Thank goodness.

We spent the final 30 minutes in the downstairs occupational therapy center.  I got to do my tricks again.  I showed a man how I push the button that says, “That was easy” and he loved it.  He got to hold the button while I pushed it for him.  Cool.   This time I got to show off my flash card reading skills.  There was a young lady there who didn’t speak.  She wasn’t interested at all in what was going on until Kimberly got my flash cards out of the backpack.  Then, she came over and investigated.  I showed her how I can choose between two colors, identify George Washington and “read” the word “Sit.”  

 Whew, all that thinking wore me out and I was ready for a nap after my visit.   My buddies, Ciara and a new dog from Pawsibilities Unleashed were also there today.   I love being a Therapy Dog.