Clicker Training Blog

Last week the New York Times ran an article featuring Ann Edie and her guide miniature horse, Panda. (If you aren't familiar with this pair, don't miss the profile here at clickertraining.com, documenting how Alexandra Kurland clicker trained Panda.) I had the privilege of meeting Ann and Panda myself in 2007—and it was hard not to be impressed. From the Times article:

What’s most striking about Edie and Panda is that after the initial shock of seeing a horse walk into a cafe, or ride in a car, watching them work together makes the idea of guide miniature horses seem utterly logical. Even normal. So normal, in fact, that people often find it hard to believe that the United States government is considering a proposal that would force Edie and many others like her to stop using their service animals. But that’s precisely what’s happening, because a growing number of people believe the world of service animals has gotten out of control: first it was guide dogs for the blind; now it’s monkeys for quadriplegia and agoraphobia, guide miniature horses, a goat for muscular dystrophy, a parrot for psychosis and any number of animals for anxiety, including cats, ferrets, pigs, at least one iguana and a duck. They’re all showing up in stores and in restaurants, which is perfectly legal because the Americans With Disabilities Act (A.D.A.) requires that service animals be allowed wherever their owners want to go.

It's an interesting piece. You can read the full article here.

As Karen Pryor wrote in The Panda Game: "KPCT was fortunate to have Ann Edie and Panda as honored guests at ClickerExpo Newport in 2006. Everyone enjoyed meeting this distinguished pair. We were awed by Panda's calmness as she guided Ann during the day, through crowds and halls and past all sorts of dogs (some of which were distinctly upset at having a horse among them). People were wonderful about not trying to pet Panda as she worked, even though she is deliciously cute and furry. At the Saturday night autograph party Panda even signed her own books, Panda: A Guide Horse for Ann, with a little, inky front hoof."

You'd think I might be used to it by now. After all, as a host and a faculty member, I've been to, let's see, I think it has been THIRTEEN ClickerExpos! But, no—I'm more excited this year than ever.

KPA faculty member Carolyn Clark recently received the chain e-mail below, which you may have received yourself. The poem had been sent to Carolyn by several friends, with author unknown. Carolyn tracked down author Janine Allen, who works for Rescue Me Dog, an organization committed to promoting shelter adoption and providing education and training resources to adoptive pet owners. Carolyn and Janine discovered their mutual interests, including their shared appreciation for Karen Pryor's Don't Shoot the Dog. Many thanks to Janine for allowing us to reprint her poem here. Enjoy!

I RESCUED A HUMAN TODAY

I rescued a human today.

Her eyes met mine as she walked down the corridor peering apprehensively into the kennels. I felt her need instantly and knew I had to help her.

I wagged my tail, not too exuberantly, so she wouldn't be afraid. As she stopped at my kennel I blocked her view from a little accident I had in the back of my cage. I didn't want her to know that I hadn't been walked today. Sometimes the overworked shelter keepers get too busy and I didn't want her to think poorly of them.

As she read my kennel card I hoped that she wouldn't feel sad about my past. I only have the future to look forward to and want to make a difference in someone's life.

She got down on her knees and made little kissy sounds at me. I shoved my shoulder and side of my head up against the bars to comfort her. Gentle fingertips caressed my neck; she was desperate for companionship. A tear fell down her cheek and I raised my paw to assure her that all would be well.

Soon my kennel door opened and her smile was so bright that I instantly jumped into her arms. I would promise to keep her safe. I would promise to always be by her side. I would promise to do everything I could to see that radiant smile and sparkle in her eyes.

I was so fortunate that she came down my corridor. So many more are out there who haven't walked the corridors. So many more to be saved. At least I could save one.

I rescued a human today.

by Janine Allen, CPDT
Trainer, Rescue Me Dog
www.rescuemedog.org
toll-free 888-777-0071