A Message from Emma's Puppy Raiser

A Message from Candy Jones, Emma's Puppy Raiser at Assistance Dogs of the West in Santa Fe

Puppy Raisers

It was a cold January afternoon when I first walked up the exterior staircase en route to the offices of Assistance Dogs of the West. The cold I experienced on the uphill climb vanished once I made my way into the inner sanctum of ADW. In a row of crates containing peaceful, almost cherubic lab and golden faces, I saw quiet inquisitive beautiful dogs with tilted heads that seemed to say “Hi, who are you”?

My previous volunteer hours had been spent with Animal Rescue organizations where the first football place in the kennel area was sure fire stimulation for a cavalcade of barks, not all of which were particularly inviting. I reveled in the contrast.

At ADW, the canine welcome was warm and peaceful. My instructor Sue gathered us together in the classroom area where she disseminated a notebook and study guide, an overview of what our puppy raiser class would consist of, and an understanding of the curriculum and ultimate goal: a successful completion of the Public Access Test which would permit us each the privilege of escorting our puppies out in public.

For the next several months I spent Thursday afternoons with my classmates, Peggy, Penny and Sue soaking up the ninety some-odd cues with which ADW dogs are proficient. As a Certified Professional Dog Trainer, I struggled with dispensing with my age-old body language, which is part of what modern day dog trainers promote…body language along with verbal cues. In the world of the disabled, arms and legs and hands and their associated abilities cannot be counted on and so assistance dogs understand English so much better than the typical canine!

I started working with Emma, a delightful, petite, athletic Golden Retriever. She came to ADW a little older as a rescue dog. Emma was unapologetic in her love for fast moving birds, but her devotion to me and her patience in trying to understand my virgin assistance dog language was appreciated. By April we had earned our wings and had passed our Public Access test. Emma moved in bringing only her vest and a beautifully crafted, braided ADW leash. She developed a close relationship with my 2-1/2 year old 143 pound Great Pyrenees Gabriel and my record producer husband Larry who became so devoted to Emma she was invited into his recording studio on numerous attentions to hang out and enjoy the musical production process. Emma and I spent hours between training sessions hiking around the high dessert of NM. Off leash, Emma’s graceful lightweight frame splashed across the wildflowers on assignment toward low flying meadowlarks and desert jays. For less natural outings, we went malling, to dinner, checked out some great movies, perused the dog sections of many a bookstore, and plodded through the impressive selection of treats in dog food establishments. Beef liver came out as the overall winner.

On Thursday nights we met with other like-minded Assistance Dogs teams and promenaded around the Santa Fe Plaza in search of musical performances, improved response to cues, and companionship. At night, Emma voluntarily offered her presence down below my bed just below my left arm. She worked her way into my home, my heart, and by my side, where she perched for several months until the call came for her forever home as a Courthouse dog in Roswell, New Mexico. Emma leaves this month for points south to help traumatized children as they make their way through the courthouse process. I have already given Emma her new Roswell name: Undefined Flying Object, as I know that given the chance that she will take to the Roswell desert in moments of true freedom flying across the landscape there.

I am honored to be of assistance to ADW assistance dogs. They have made my life richer and more meaningful.

Candy Jones