2. Presenters
Tiana Kelly
2016 MU Grad, Psychology, Sociology
Attending Fairleigh Dickinson University, M.A.
Former Intern for Susquehanna Service Dogs
Volunteer, Puppy raiser/trainer for Susquehanna
Service Dogs (SSD)
Raised SSD Pinella, the first service dog raised at
Millersville, in the 2015-2016 academic year.
Brian Kirn
Puppy raiser/trainer for SSD
Currently raising SSD Martin . . .
3. Meet The Pups
SSD Martin (In-training)
Born: July 2, 2016 Litter Theme: “Birds”
Cues I can do: Sit, Down, Stay(In Progress), Get Busy, Go to bed, Stand
(In Progress)
Things I like: Shoes, Meeting new people, Walks to interesting places like
the pond, Finding new and interesting places to sleep, and training
Fun Facts About Me: My dad is currently a guide dog from the Guide Dog
Foundation
4. Meet The Pups
Born: Sept. 21, 2015 Litter Theme: “From the Vineyards”
Cues I can do: sit, stay, down, leave it, come, visit, lap, go to bed, stand,
play retrieve, get busy (verbal and nonverbal), okay, kennel, off, easy, go on
through, paw
Things I like: belly rubs, peanut butter, playing with other dogs, greeting
children, playing tug, walks and hikes, chewing on my bones after a long
day!
Fun Facts About Me: I was the first ever SSD puppy to be raised in a
college residence hall AND first puppy to ever be raised at MU!
SSD Pinella (Released )
5. (SSD) Service Dogs In-Training at Millersville
SSD Pinella
(released)
SSD Martin
SSD Eagle
SSD Jafar
SSD Helix
6. What is a Service Dog?
A service dog is professionally trained to do work
or perform cues that enhance their partner’s life,
assisting them to be more independent. The
tasks performed should benefit an individual
with a disability, including a physical, sensory,
psychiatric, intellectual, or other mental disability.
The service dog should meet the definition of
“service animal” under the Americans with
Disabilities Act (ADA).
7. How can a Service Dog Help Someone Live
More Independently?
Open and close doors
Retrieve items (keys, credit cards, remotes, soup cans, loose change, a
telephone, etc.)
Pull a manual wheelchair
Balance work
Turn light switches on and off
Respond to different sounds (fire alarms, doorbell, oven timer, alarm clock,
telephone, person’s name)
Provide companionship
Alert to symptoms of anxiety
Blocking
Provide pressure on lap (calming effect; ASD, PTSD)
Seizure response (NOT Alert)
Etc.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pilivUXoFf0
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kQHX56QWoSc
SSD Sabor experiencing
new sights and surfaces!
8. Who is Susquehanna Service Dogs?
Nonprofit organization located in Grantville, PA
Fully accredited member of Assistance Dogs International
Founded in 1993; 223 service dog teams as of Oct. ‘13
Trains and provides service dogs to assist children and adults
with mental and/or physical disabilities to become more
independent.
SSD Hotrod
demonstrating “down.”
9. Who Can Service Dogs Assist?
Men, women, & children of all ages:
Spinal cord injuries
Children testifying in Court
Cerebral Palsy
Autism Spectrum Disorder
Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder
Veterans
Muscular Dystrophy
Arthritis
Diabetes
Polio
Stroke
Balance Issues
Hearing Impairments
Etc.
SSD Jubilee works as an in-
home companion dog!
SSD Tadpole, a certified working dog,
demonstrates his ability to tolerate silly
hats and birthday bows!
10. Some Examples of Service Dogs
Facility (Courts, schools)
Companion
CIA
Balance
Hearing
Psychiatric
In-home (no public access)
[Career change dogs]
SSD Maya just began
working at Lampeter-
Strasburg School!
SSD Fahrenheit & SSD Buster
work at York Co. Courthouse!
SSD Luna works as
an in-home
companion dog!
SSD Aunt Nancy and Thor
are working dogs for the
CIA! !
11. What Does it Take for a Dog to
Become a Service Dog?
Low Maintenance (Labradors)
Excellent manners, basic obedience, good social behavior, respond to verbal and
nonverbal cues
Temperament Tests (calm, patient, low prey drive, etc.)
Evaluations (Class evals., one year evals.)
Public Outings, Public Access Tests
Advanced Training
Meet the Dogs
Team Training
SSD Kiwi demonstrates basic
obedience, great social
behavior, and excellent
attention on her handler!
12. Service Dog Etiquette
Refrain from petting (you should always
ask permission before petting ANY dog!)
Refrain from feeding (Service dogs get
plenty of treats from their handlers )
Do not distract a working dog or their partner
Talk to the HUMAN partner (please, let the dog focus on his/her
handler!)
Do not ask the individual “What is wrong with you?” (Federal law
protects the privacy of these individuals)
Recognize that, under ADA, a service dog does not need to wear a
vest in public!
SSD Izzy (in-training) pictured
with his handler, Doug!
13. Paving The Way…
MU Process
Don’t Scam the Service Dog System
Just Because You Love Being With Your Pet:
http://fusion.net/story/352592/dont-get-a-fake-service-
dog/?utm_source=facebook&utm_medium=CPC&utm_campaign=CK&utm_content=CK-FUS-TRF-PV01-FB-FBLP-
FKW-US-MED2-BO-18p-J12
A Girl and Her Service Dog Head to the Supreme Court:
http://www.npr.org/2016/10/31/499876610/a-girl-and-her-service-dog-head-to-the-supreme-
court?utm_source=facebook.com&utm_medium=social&utm_campaign=npr&utm_term=nprnews&utm_content=2057
What does all of this mean?
We have a duty and a moral obligation as future professionals to pave the way and advocate for our
future students, clients, friends, family, etc. who need or have a service dog!
Education is key!
"In the last few years, the questions and the looks I get have radically changed," Peter says.
"Now wherever I go, I see fraudulent service dogs. I have been kicked out of businesses
because employees think I'm an imposter."
-Peter, Canine Companions for Independence
Legitimate service dog vests will often have the
training organizations logo on it much like this
vest for puppies in-training!
14. How Can You Get Involved?
Become a puppy raiser or sitter!
Host or assist with a fundraiser! (bake sale, business sponsor, Walk for a
Healthy Community)
Raise awareness via community outreach (advocate, recruit puppy raisers,
make fleece tug toys, become a service dog demonstration team, request a
demonstration)
Kennel Assistance (groom dogs, etc.)
Puppy hugging (socialize 8-wk. pups through play, cuddles, and hugs!)
Assist with general administrative tasks at SSD
Internship Opportunities
And again, become a puppy raiser or sitter!!
15. What is Puppy Raising?
8 Weeks until 15-18 months:
Train on basic cues,
Socialize your puppy with many different stimuli
Take puppy into public places OFTEN
Answer questions that people have about getting
involved with SSD, what it means to train/raise, etc.
Be a reputable ambassador for SSD
Give LOTS of puppy snuggles
Commitment:
First 9 weeks: attend class weekly at SSD (Grantville)
Classes thereafter: 2x/month
Accompany puppy to vet appointments (Palmyra)
Costs Associated:
FREE to raise an SSD puppy (no vet bills)
Responsible for: food costs, toys, treats, mileage
Tax deductible
16. Who Can Become a Puppy Raiser?
How Do I Get Started?
Anyone who:
Is passionate about volunteerism
Desires to serve as an advocate for individuals with disabilities
Loves dogs, has a willingness to learn, is patient, and has the time and
dedication to devote to raising/training.
Getting Started:
Apply at: https://www.keystonehumanservices.org/susquehanna-
service-dogs/fosterFamilyApp.php
Attend a volunteer orientation class (3 hrs.)
Attend a puppy class (1 hr.)
Have a home interview conducted (30m.-1hr.)
Attend puppy pick-up class (1 hr.- 1½ hr.)
SSD Riesling training
at ZooAmerica!
17. But…How Will I Give The Puppy Up?
The best answer is: You Just Do!
Remember: You sign up to raise and train a puppy,
NOT raise, train, and keep a puppy!
You’re training these dogs to become
“professionals” who work to help deserving
individuals lead more independent lives!
These 5 SSD dogs were recently placed
with their partners and are now working
dogs!
18. How Do The Dogs Feel?
Research indicates that most dogs, (especially
labradors) love to work! They find it fun and are
eager to learn. Still don’t believe me? Try a
shaping exercise!
SSD is VERY cognizant of the fact that not all
dogs are cut out for service dog work. When this
happens, dogs may have career changes or be
released from the program entirely, becoming full-
time pets for a loving family.
Bottom Line: SSD lets every dog decide if service
work is for them. If a dog is released or has a
career change, that is not a bad thing…it simply
means the dog has plans for him/herself other
than service work.
Pinella, released around her 1st
birthday for stress, now serves as a
loveable ambassador for SSD,
educating the public about service
dogs and student raisers!
19. Perspectives From a Student Raiser
Provides structure,
Feelings of self-worth,
Felt better acclimated to the University,
Development of new perspectives,
Challenging, but THE MOST rewarding
experience I’ve ever underwent
These SSD dogs are being raised by
Dickinson College students!
These SSD dogs are being raised by
Penn State students!
SSD Pinella paved the way for
current student raisers at MU!
20. Want to Learn or See More?
Visit http://www.keystonehumanservices.org/susquehanna-service-dogs/
for more information!
Check out MU’s NEW Service and Assistance/Emotional Support Animal
Policy! http://blogs.millersville.edu/news/2016/09/28/new-service-and-
assistanceemotional-support-animal-policy/
“Like” Susquehanna Service Dogs on Facebook
“Follow” Susquehanna Service Dogs on Twitter
Contact me ANYTIME with questions :
tmkelly1@millersville.edu or tmkelly1@student.fdu.edu
