The Good Life – September-October 2018

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LOCAL HERO | PATRIOT ASSISTANCE DOGS “I already knew the public access portion and the training,” she said. “It’s just a matter of teaching the dogs and giving them permission to respond to things they are already sensing.” In 2011, Patriot Assistance Dogs placed its first two dogs in December, with them earning their official service dog certification by the spring of 2012. PAD officially earned its 501(c)3 status in 2013. Since then, Patriot Assistance Dogs has trained 154 certified teams, which include the dog and its handler. A second chance Wiedewitsch explained that the PAD program offers dogs a second chance at a better life. Her kennel rents space to The Marshmallow Foundation which has pound contracts with several local cities. Cassi Ohman, the pound manager in Detroit Lakes, screens unclaimed animals to ascertain if they’d be a good fit for PAD. “She’s very good at scouting dogs for us,” she says. Another contact in Nebraska with Second Chance Pups keeps an eye out for ideal dogs for PAD. “We’ve had a dozen or more dogs from that (Nebraska) program,” she says. In addition, she works with the Marshmallow Foundation for the same reason - well behaved dogs that could live a better life. “That’s part of the magic of Patriot Assistance Dogs -- between 70 and 80 percent of dogs we use as service dogs come from city pounds, reservation roundups, and surrenders.” Wiedewitsch says the remaining dogs come from reputable breeders. Training and temperament Wiedewitsch said the ideal dog for the program is about a year old – puppies take too long to mature. Dogs older than four or five years can be set in some bad habits and won’t be able to serve quite as long. Once a dog is a program prospect, a complete medical workup evaluates the animal’s overall health. More important than its medical history is the dog’s temperament. “Many of the dogs that come through a rescue organization realize this is my chance at a better life; they don’t like scavenging or sleeping outside,” she explained. “We look for dogs that would rather be with people than > 32 / THE GOOD LIFE / urbantoadmedia.com
LINDA WIEDEWITSCH “I just love dogs, and I enjoy helping people learn about their dogs and how to handle their dogs.” – Linda Wiedewitsch, Patriot Assistance Dogs trainer >other dogs. When we look for those characteristics, things have turned out well.” In addition, the dog has to learn to be obedient in public and be tolerant of all the chaos associated with it. Wiedewitsch says part of the program involves training the dogs with firefighters, EMS personnel, ambulances, bus trips, and community events; it’s all part of understanding how the dog will behave when serving its human. Once the dog passes the medical and temperament test, the animal trains 6 to 9 months before meeting a veteran. urbantoadmedia.com / THE GOOD LIFE / 33
Page 1 and 2: SEPTEMBER-OCTOBER 2018 HAVING A BEE
Page 3 and 4: urbantoadmedia.com / THE GOOD LIFE
Page 5 and 6: PUBLISHED BY Urban Toad Media LLP w
Page 7 and 8: When riding these paths you can see
Page 9 and 10: out, not only to help, but the face
Page 11 and 12: MARK BJORNSTAD Hometown: Fargo Day
Page 13 and 14: What does living the good life mean
Page 15 and 16: "Volunteering, studying abroad and
Page 17 and 18: small. It is the right size. It is
Page 19 and 20: Wil Dort From Haiti to Haircuts WRI
Page 21 and 22: As it turns out, two years prior hi
Page 23 and 24: One guy said, 'Yeah, everybody in h
Page 25 and 26: The Good Life caught up with the li
Page 27 and 28: Belling is open for commissions of
Page 29 and 30: of grass seed, fertilizer, and mulc
Page 31: “This organization is about rescu
Page 35: time employees who train, manage ad

The Good Life – September-October 2018

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