Today's CCI Class brought "I get it" moments. It was the first class we've been to after a CCI Turn-In/Graduation Weekend. The highlight was seeing the door open and watching a brand new Skilled Companion Dog enter with her new Handler.
The Handler is in our 4-H CCI Class. He flew down to California on February 5th to find his dog and start their training together. He graduated on Saturday, and then flew home. Everyone was anticipating their arrival tonight. It was SO FUN!
The Handler and his parent's shared with us about his experience, and it was fun to see the family and their dog working together in class. You can tell the bond is still in infancy stage - they are still learning to work together - and it will be so fun to watch firsthand their bond develop stronger every week. How exciting!
The other highlight for tonight was seeing the multiple 4-H kiddos that Turned'In their dogs over the weekend and who brought home new pups. Oh, how adorable to have puppies in the group again! While it is different to see one gal with her tiny black lab pup, versus her older, experienced, trained yellow lab, she was excited like Christmas morning. No tears or sad face at class because her other puppy was returned. Just shear joy that she gets to keep raising puppies and starting over.
I get it. I get the draw to this volunteer gig. I get the magnitude of the gift we are giving to others. I get the joy of learning that the puppies bring to us.
I get it ...
I know! Sometimes it takes us awhile to realize what we're really doing even though we tell people about what we do every day. It's the best thing I think I could ever do for ONE person. When you look at it that way it makes it worth it to send them back, because it's the next step of the journey and then it makes you want to do it all over again. It's such a blessing to be part of Canine Companions!
ReplyDeleteLove this. What a special experience and hard to even put into words the gift you are giving.
ReplyDeleteWe (Deb) had Facility dog Jeb for 8 years, 2000-2008 and she used him daily around the State of Kansas and around the U.S. Jeb helped people do their O.T., was a friend to hundreds if not thousands in nursing homes, hospitals, schools, etc...
ReplyDeleteWe got to see what a special dog can do for people and after he died in 2008, we decided the best way to honor his life was to try and provide "Jebs" to as many as possible. That's why we became VPRs.
Jeb and all the other service dogs really are SPECIAL.
That is so inspiring and awesome, Mark and Deb!! I did not know that history...
ReplyDeleteI just wish we would have kept a blog for the Jebster! Course, I don't think it existed yet back in 2000 ;^)
ReplyDeleteWe still stay in contact with Jeb's PR.