“From predicting epileptic seizures to keeping allergic people from harm, service dogs help humans in amazing ways.” So appeared the recent headline on the front page of the March 9-11 edition of USA Weekend along with one special four-legged friend named Pip.
Trained by Wittenberg seniors Dana Makstaller and Lauren Hura in partnership with Xenia, Ohio-based 4 Paws for Ability, Pip, the wide-eyed Papillon, was recently placed with the Rittinger family of Savage, Minn. to help their 9-year-old diabetic daughter. Pip joined another canine in the home, a yellow Labrador retriever named Fern, who also benefited from training by former Wittenberg students Danielle Carey and Courtney Harris, both class of 2010. Fern currently assists the family’s other children, two boys ages 9 and 11, who are autistic.
Since 2009, Wittenberg students have been playing a critical role in preparing dogs for service to others, thanks to Sarah Kelly, vice president for enrollment management and dean of students.
“I read an article about the 4Paws program on CNN.com and when I learned that the program is based in Xenia, I arranged a meeting with Karen, the executive director, to discuss the possibility of starting a student handler-trainer program here,” Kelly said. “Wittenberg's program started with four dogs in the spring of 2009.
“Since then, we've trained close to 40 dogs,” Kelly added. “It has become a student-led initiative, and I serve solely as an advisor—the students do it all, and I'm really proud of the job they do.”
Because of the program’s success at Wittenberg, 4 Paws has implemented the same type of program at other area universities.
“When you consider what these service dogs need to be able to do, you can see that our campus is the perfect place to begin their training—with classrooms, sports venues, dining facilities—all the spaces and situations that the dogs will have to traverse with the child with whom they are placed,” Kelly explained. “There is also an advantage for the students in having these dogs around.”
“When students go off to school, they really miss their pet,” she said. “I hear students talk about how much they love to see the dogs on campus—to pet them and play with them. Our trainers put in hours upon hours of work with these dogs, and there are usually a lot of tears shed when it is time to return them to 4Paws. Many of our trainers go back to 4Paws to attend their dog's "graduation" ceremony and meet the families with whom the dogs are placed. That has proved to be very gratifying for our students—to be able to see the fruits of their labor.”
Since the handler-trainer program’s founding at Wittenberg, the number of students interested in participating has grown tremendously, making the selection process even more competitive.
Applications are available at the beginning of each semester, and students must be juniors or seniors who live out of the residence halls and Greek houses. Academic standing is taken into account as is the applicant’s discipline record with preference given to co-handlers.
“It is such a huge time commitment that we have found it is better to have two trainers per dog,” Kelly said. “Students who apply have to make sure their roommates agree. Additionally, students must check with professors, coaches and supervisors to make sure that it is okay to bring the dog to class, practice or an on-campus job.”
Yet, for the students, the time and effort pales in comparison to the program’s mission, which aligns with Wittenberg’s own mission of service to humanity.
“The program has truly taught me the meaning of service and giving back to those in need,” said senior Taylor Clark, a student leader in the program. “I think that having the dogs on campus brings new life to Wittenberg and continues to strengthen the bond between the campus community. Personally having participated in the 4Paws university training program for the past two years, and seeing two of my dogs 'graduate' to be placed with children and families in need, it has been the most rewarding and fulfilling experience of my life and I am forever grateful for having the opportunity.”
Written By: Karen Gerboth
Photos By: Erin Pence
