CONGRATS TO MISTY AND SERVICE DOG “AXLE”

CONGRATULATIONS TO CLIENT MISTY AND HER NOW SERVICE DOG, YELLOW LABRADOR RETRIEVER, “AXLE”! THEY PASSED THEIR PUBLIC ACCESS TEST!!!!
 
Misty suffers from PTSD. She was violently assaulted while working overseas in Kuwait in 2014. She was beaten until she was unconscious, and recently had her third surgery. When she first applied for Service Dog training, Misty had just begun learning what her “triggers” were, and she is on several medications right now to help her sleep through the night and try to function “normally”. She didn’t know what was wrong with her in the beginning, and didn’t start talking to a therapist until she returned to the US last October. LOOK how far she has come!!!! Training with a Service Dog – we are SO proud of you, dear Misty!!
 
Trainer Lori writes:
 
“Today, Misty and her now Service Dog “Axle” passed the Public Access Test at the Tractor Supply in Lampasas, TX! For the restaurant portion of the test, we went next door to the El Rodeo Mexican Restaurant. I am so proud of this team! They passed with a score of 100%!”
 
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:
 
Axle did not try to leave vehicle until given release command.
 
Axle waited in the vehicle until released.* Yes
Axle waited outside the vehicle under control. Yes
Axle remained under control while another dog was walked. Yes
 
APPROACHING THE BUILDING:
 
Relative heel position, not straining or forging.
 
Axle stayed in relative heel position. Always
Axle was calm around traffic.* Yes
Axle stopped when Misty came to a halt. Always
 
CONTROLLED ENTRY THROUGH A DOORWAY
 
Axle waited quietly at the door until commanded to enter.* Yes
Axle waited on the inside until able to return to heel position.* Yes
 
HEELING THROUGH THE BUILDING
 
Axle was within the prescribed distance of Misty. Always
Axle ignored the public, remaining focused on Misty. Always
Axle readily adjusted to speed changes. Always
Axle readily turned corners–did not have to be tugged or jerked to change direction. Always
Axle readily maneuvered through tight quarters. Always
 
SIX FOOT RECALL ON LEAD
 
Axle responded readily to the recall command–did not stray away, seek attention from others, or trudge slowly.* Yes
Axle remained under control and focused on Misty.* Yes
Axle came within the prescribed distance of Misty.* Yes
Axle came directly to Misty.* Yes
 
SITS ON COMMAND
 
Axle responded promptly to the command to sit. Always
Axle remained under control around food–not trying to get food and not needing repeated corrections.* Yes
Axle remained composed while the shopping cart passed–did not shy away, show signs of fear, etc.* Yes
Axle maintained a sit-stay while being petted by a stranger.* Yes
 
DOWNS ON COMMAND
 
Axle responded promptly to the command to down. Always
Axle remained under control around the food–not trying to get food and not needing repeated corrections.* Yes
Axle remained in control while the child approached – child should not taunt Axle or be overly dramatic.* Yes
 
NOISE DISTRACTIONS
 
If Axle jumps, turns, or shows a quick startle type reaction, that is fine. Axle should not show fear, aggression, or continue to be affected by the noise.
 
Axle remained composed during the noise distraction.* Yes
 
RESTAURANT
 
Axle is unobtrusive and out of the way of patrons and employees as much as possible.* Yes
Axle maintained proper behavior, ignoring food and being quiet.* Yes
 
OFF LEAD
 
When told to drop the leash, the team maintained control and Misty got the leash back in position.* Yes
 
DOG TAKEN BY ANOTHER PERSON
 
Another person can take Axle’s leash and Misty can move away without aggression or undue stress on the part of Axle.* Yes
 
CONTROLLED EXIT
 
Axle stayed in relative heel position. Always
Axle was calm around traffic.* Yes
Axle stopped when Misty came to a halt. Always
 
CONTROLLED LOAD INTO VEHICLE
 
Axle waited until commanded to enter the vehicle. Yes
Axle readily entered the vehicle upon command. Yes
 
TEAM RELATIONSHIP
 
When Axle did well, Misty praised Axle. Always
Axle is relaxed, confident, and friendly. Always
Misty kept Axle under control. Always
Misty was prepared with proper working materials and equipment in case of an access confrontation (laws, etc.). Yes
 
PASS TEST: Yes