CONGRATULATIONS TO WOUNDED WARRIOR (NAVY) STEVE AND HIS NOW SERVICE DOG, GREAT DANE “ELLIE”!!!!!!!!!! THEY PASSED THEIR PUBLIC ACCESS TEST – AND ELLIE IS AN OFFICIAL RED CROSS THERAPY DOG, AS WELL!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Steve suffers from PTSD, Bipolar Disorder, anxiety, panic attacks, depression, and night terrors – but not much anymore since he’s had ELLIE!!
Laurie writes:
“What can I say? Service Dog Ellie is an absolutely perfect, on-point, sharp as a tack, loving Great Dane. Her relationship with her handler, Steve, is unbelievable. There is nothing this team can’t do! Ellie is truly a model Service Dog, and she brings so much joy to Steve and his whole family! Ellie does many extra tasks like “covers”, “deep pressure therapy”, waking Steve up from night terrors, and she goes from room to room checking on each member of the house before she lies down! Ellie had also earned her Red Cross patch, and accompanies Steve to disaster relief areas, where she provides therapy for those in distress! She is on her way to her third trip for flood victims, where she is treated like a queen at the places they stay! Here are pictures of Ellie on her first Amtrak train ride!
SCORING OF THE PUBLIC ACCESS CERTIFICATION TEST
Always=All the time
Mostly=Most of the time (more than half of time)
Sometimes=Some of the time (half or less of the time)
Never=Never demonstrated the skill
The team must score all ‘Always’ or’ Mostly’ ’ responses on the A-M-S-N parts of the test.
The team must score at least 80% “YES” answers on the “YES” “NO” portion of the test.
All questions marked by an asterisk (*) must be answered by a “YES” response.
CONTROLLED UNLOAD OUT OF VEHICLE:
Ellie did not try to leave vehicle until given release command.
Ellie waited in the vehicle until released.* Yes
Ellie waited outside the vehicle under control. Yes
Ellie remained under control while another dog was walked. Yes
APPROACHING THE BUILDING:
Relative heel position, not straining or forging.
Ellie stayed in relative heel position. Always
Ellie was calm around traffic.* Yes
Ellie stopped when Steven came to a halt. Always
CONTROLLED ENTRY THROUGH A DOORWAY
Ellie waited quietly at the door until commanded to enter.* Yes
Ellie waited on the inside until able to return to heel position.* Yes
HEELING THROUGH THE BUILDING
Ellie was within the prescribed distance of Steven. Always
Ellie ignored the public, remaining focused on Steven. Always
Ellie readily adjusted to speed changes. Always
Ellie readily turned corners–did not have to be tugged or jerked to change direction. Always
Ellie readily maneuvered through tight quarters. Always
SIX FOOT RECALL ON LEAD
Ellie responded readily to the recall command–did not stray away, seek attention from others, or trudge slowly.* Yes
Ellie remained under control and focused on Steven.* Yes
Ellie came within the prescribed distance of Steven.* Yes
Ellie came directly to Steven.* Yes
SITS ON COMMAND
Ellie responded promptly to the command to sit. Always
Ellie remained under control around food–not trying to get food and not needing repeated corrections.* Yes
Ellie remained composed while the shopping cart passed–did not shy away, show signs of fear, etc.* Yes
Ellie maintained a sit-stay while being petted by a stranger.* Yes
DOWNS ON COMMAND
Ellie responded promptly to the command to down. Always
Ellie remained under control around the food–not trying to get food and not needing repeated corrections.* Yes
Ellie remained in control while the child approached – child should not taunt Ellie or be overly dramatic.* Yes
NOISE DISTRACTIONS
If Ellie jumps, turns, or shows a quick startle type reaction, that is fine. Ellie should not show fear, aggression, or continue to be affected by the noise.
Ellie remained composed during the noise distraction.* Yes
RESTAURANT
Ellie is unobtrusive and out of the way of patrons and employees as much as possible.* Yes
Ellie maintained proper behavior, ignoring food and being quiet.* Yes
OFF LEAD
When told to drop the leash, the team maintained control and Steven got the leash back in position.* Yes
DOG TAKEN BY ANOTHER PERSON
Another person can take Ellie’s leash and Steven can move away without aggression or undue stress on the part of Ellie.* Yes
CONTROLLED EXIT
Ellie stayed in relative heel position. Always
Ellie was calm around traffic.* Yes
Ellie stopped when Steven came to a halt. Always
CONTROLLED LOAD INTO VEHICLE
Ellie waited until commanded to enter the vehicle. Yes
Ellie readily entered the vehicle upon command. Yes
TEAM RELATIONSHIP
When Ellie did well, Steven praised Ellie. Always
Ellie is relaxed, confident, and friendly. Always
Steven kept Ellie under control. Always
Steven was prepared with proper working materials and equipment in case of an access confrontation (laws, etc.). Yes
PASS TEST: Yes – 110%
