Canine Support Teams - January 2008 Charity-of-the-Month

Providing the gift of independence & love… one dog at a time®

Canine Support Teams, Inc.
PO Box 891767
Temecula, CA 92589-1767

phone: 1-951-301-3625
fax: 1-951-301-3605
email: cstmain@caninesupportteams.org
web: caninesupportteams.org


ABOUT Canine Support Teams (CST)

Canine Support Teams (CST) is a California based 501 (c) 3 non-profit organization that provides specially trained dogs to people with disabilities other than blindness. (Tax ID# 33-0434821)

Service dogs are placed with people who use wheelchairs, walkers, crutches or canes. They are taught to assist their partners by pulling manual wheelchairs, turning lights on and off, pushing elevator buttons, retrieving dropped or hard to reach items, making purchases or banking transactions, opening and closing doors and drawers, barking to get help and providing stability for walking.

In addition, these dogs help to serve as an ice-breaker in public situations and provide constant companionship for their partners. Assisted Service work for individuals who can manage their dogs with help from another person, caregiver or attendant. Assisted Service have all the skills associated with Service Dogs.

Social dogs are placed with individuals, in nursing homes or in group care facilities. Interaction with dogs have been proven to have a strong, positive psychological impact.

All dogs accepted into the training program must pass rigorous health and temperament tests. These dogs are either part of the CST breeding program or are donated by private breeders. Canine Support Teams is a volunteer organization. Almost all skill, labor and help of every kind is provided by people who volunteer their time and energy.


WISH LIST

You can help CST Provide a Service Dog! Your Donation is Tax Deductible.

* Yearly graduation sponsors.
* Golf Tournament Sponsors/Players
* Electronic Fence (for training facility)
* Sponsors for dog food purchases
* You can help feed a CST dog in training for as little as $20.00 per month.
* Plastic bags, grocery/produce etc (for use in the prison program)
* Vet care
* Home Depot, Lowes, Costco, Office Depot, Staples (gift certificates)
* Cases of water
* Dog Treats
* Grooming Table
* Extra large dog crates ( for training facility)
* New Collars/Leashes (for rescue dogs trained at the Youth Correctional Facility)
* PetCo / PetsMart (gift certificates)


WHAT TO DO WHEN YOU MEET AN ASSISTANCE DOG

The role of the Assistance Dog is to assist the handler in a variety of ways. It is primarily a medical assistance aid and should be treated as such. When wanting to pet the Assistance Dog, always ask the handler first for permission. If the handler agrees, always talk to or/or pet the dog in a quiet and calm manner.

1. Do not pet, make noises, or call to the Assistance Dog.
If the dog is wearing its harness/vest/backpacks, this means it is working and should never be patted, or distracted by having its name called, be given excessive eye contact, noises made at it, or made the center of attention. These may all cause the dog to take its
concentration off the job and put the handler's safety at risk.

2. Do not feed the dog.
The Assistance Dog is fed a balanced diet by its handler. Other people should never feed the Assistance Dog. It may then learn to be on the lookout for tidbits, which will distract the dog and place the handler's safety at risk. It may also lead to obesity and health problems, possibly causing the dog's working life to be shortened.

3. Talk to the handler, and not just to the dog!
Remember to talk to the Assistance Dog handler and not only to the dog. It is very frustrating for the Assistance Dog handler when people constantly talk to the dog and not to the handler. The Assistance Dog handler has been trained in the most appropriate techniques for working or correcting the dog. Please only provide assistance if requested by the Assistance Dog handler.

If there are any further queries regarding how to behave towards a Assistance dog please do not hesitate to discuss it with the Assistance dog handler.


PRISON PUP PROGRAM

In September, 2002, four puppies entered the California Institution for Women to be nurtured and trained by selected women. CST's Prison Pup Program is the first of its kind in California. Spearheaded by Sr. Pauline Quinn, this program is similar to many that exist around the country. Sr. Pauline presented this opportunity to Warden John Dovey and Carol Roquemore, Canine Support Teams Founder, in hopes that a partnership could be formed to help inmates contribute to society and to provide more service dogs for
people in need.

Donna Shawver - Prison Pup Program Manager along with Janette Thomas -COO and Senior Instructor, hold puppy class weekly at the prison. During class they work on general obedience as well as advanced task work and training techniques with the inmates. Some of the inmates are being selected for special duties like, first aid, grooming, and mentorship based on their special talents and dedication in class.

We have grown significantly since September 2002. What began with 4 puppies and approximately 20 participants has grown into our current program of 20 dogs and 50 inmate participants.


CANINE SUPPORT TEAMS FAQ'S

How does a puppy go from birth to a recipient?
When puppies are available from CST, they are placed with volunteer puppy raisers at about eight weeks of age. In these homes they receive their vaccinations, are housebroken, taught house manners and basic obedience, and are exposed to many people and places. At about 18 to 20 months of age, the puppies are brought in for advanced testing and training. They will first undergo extensive health screening and temperament evaluations. If all the tests are passed, the intense training begins. Each dog is required to complete a minimum of six months of training. Person and dog are matched based on many criteria, including skill level, personality style, exercise needs and living situation. The new team then completes a two-week, one-on-one Team Training class.

How old is the puppy when it's received by the puppy raiser?
The puppies are given to their new families at about eight weeks of age, unless they are donated at an older age.

Where does CST get the puppies?
CST has a small breeding program. CST also has several breeders who regularly donate puppies.

Are all puppies in all litters accepted into the program?
CST carefully evaluates available puppies for health and temperament and only chooses those with the highest likelihood of being successful.

How much exercise does a puppy in training need?
Regular exercise is important. Exercise builds strength, endurance and good condition. It also helps the puppy to be calm during outings. CST does not permit Frisbee catching or "forced" exercise.

During training, what types of places are the puppies taken?
Raisers are encouraged to take their puppies anywhere they go. The purpose of the outings is to socialize the puppies to sights, sounds and smells that they may encounter while in service to a disabled person.

As a volunteer puppy raiser, what is my financial responsibility?
The same as if you owned the dog yourself. You will need to provide high quality dog food, regular veterinary visits and at least two sets of obedience classes. As a puppy raiser, you are not only contributing your time and home, but all costs in raising a puppy.

If I cannot afford the financial responsibility, can CST help?
No, unfortunately not. However, we do recommend that you seek local individual and company sponsors. Many major pet supply chains offer free dog food. Some veterinarians also offer discounts on their services for assistance dogs in training.

At what point can the puppy go out in public?
The puppy can begin to go on public outings only after he has received his rabies vaccination at about four months of age. The puppy must wear a jacket which indicates that he is a puppy in training. CST issues jackets and collars after the vaccinations are complete.

For more FAQ's, please go to CST's website http://caninesupportteams.org/FAQ.html


ELIGIBILITY

These are some of the disabilities for which CST has provided assistance dogs.If you do not see your disability listed here, please do not hesitate to call CST or email us. Also see "Assistance Dog Certification Program" for details on that alternative.

* Cerebral Palsy
* MD - Muscular Dystrophy
* Assistance
* Friedreich's Ataxia
* Lupus
* Multiple Sclerosis
* Orthopedic Disabilities
* Parkinson's
* Osteogenesis Imperfecta
* Osteoarthritis
* Post-Polio
* Spinal Cord Injury
* Certain Birth Defects


Canine Support Teams is made possible by the many people who volunteer their time, energy, money and love for the purpose of enhancing the lives of those affected by disabilities. We depend on our wonderful volunteers who provide for many of the needs of CST. Breeders contribute healthy, purebred, good-tempered puppies to keep the program going. Raisers give the puppies a home and provide for all of their food, medical and transportation needs. Raisers also train the puppies in basic obedience and proper social behavior. Sponsors contribute finances, supplies (food, medicine, etc.) as well as other needs. Your ongoing support insures Canine Support Team's ability to provide dogs at no cost to our clients.


Canine Support Teams, Inc.
PO Box 891767
Temecula, CA 92589-1767

phone: 1-951-301-3625
fax: 1-951-301-3605
email: CSTmain@caninesupportteams.org
web: caninesupportteams.org

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