Devoted service dog

As published in MapleLine Magazine: Nov.4, 2009

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Story and photo by Laurie Savoie

“I’m working” or “Do Not Pet / Service Dog” are becoming more common signs these days as “man’s best friend” takes that concept to new heights. Wearing a harness and jaunty vest emblazoned with the title, and in all manner of shapes and sizes, these working members of the family provide undreamed of freedom to grateful owners.

It all started with Guide Dogs for the Blind, moved on to Hearing Ear Dogs, then dogs giving safety and assistance in the home, and now providing almost any sort of assistance. Service dogs come in all shapes, sizes, breeds and mixed breeds. Search and Rescue, and Police dogs, are useful for their roles. And now, more dogs work privately, giving their owners a ‘hand up’ for lifestyle independence.

Some dogs provide strength and balance for people with stability issues or assist with wheelchair living (providing muscle power). Some aid with opening doors, reaching and fetching, turning lights off and on, locking doors, and ‘answering’ phones by bringing the phone to their owner (hurrah for cell phones)!

Some dogs have been trained to alert their person to an impending seizure, or potential insulin shocks. Some US hospitals have been using dogs on an experimental basis to identify cancerous skin lesions (by scent); the dogs’ detection accuracy rate appears higher than achieved by conventional methods.

An incredible bond develops between these gifted dogs and their partners. The reliance and trust that the owner has in the dog and the dedication the dog gives to the job (and the loving relationship with its owner) is palpable. The devotion between them is obvious, and very touching. Most of us can only imagine the incredible amount of training required and we are usually amazed that it can even be done. Imagine the empathy in the bond that makes this possible.

It’s all the more incredible that the dog saw the need himself, and volunteered. As the old saying goes: believe it or not! ‘Tavish’ is one such dog who stepped up to the plate, for his owner Aleda Bates, a long-time Victoria resident. Aleda has a rare debilitating illness that leaves her weak and with a notable lack of coordination. She knows the meaning of “use it or lose it” and has fought back against her handicaps. She keeps active in the community and at home. She has long owned and loved Pembroke Welsh Corgis and has actively shown her dogs in Obedience in Canada and the US, when able. Her dog Tavish is a Canadian show champion, and titled in Obedience.

Some time ago Tavish started to do the odd task for her. Aleda would have dropped a book or a leash, and realized that Tavish had picked up the item and brought it to her (even though she hadn’t noticed nor had asked Tavish to ‘fetch’). This piqued her interest – Tavish was watching her very carefully. Aleda then encouraged him hugely. Tavish seemed relieved that Mum had finally ‘gotten it’ that he could help. Now Tavish is accredited as a Service Dog. Attired in a bright red vest and snappy black harness, Tavish is able to go just about everywhere with Aleda, and does. MM

Laurie Savoie offers dog photography services in Sooke. ~ www.savoiefaire.com

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