Service and Therapy Newfs

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SarahZ

New member
I don't have any good stories about Moe, although I swear that he would alert to when Andy's blood sugar dropped. Andy doesn't believe me for some reason. Moe hasn't done it in a while, but if he does I'm going to make Andy check his sugar to prove it. Ha!
Anyway, the very first newf I ever met in person was a seizure alert dog. I already knew I wanted a newf by then. This couple was walking in the mall and stopped at bench. I think they were from New Jersey and the newf's name was Emily. I went over and chatted them up, and got to meet her. She was a total love bug and rolled over for some tummy rubs. I saw them a few times after that and heard that they got a puppy to train before Emily retired from her duties.
I love these stories too...
 
2Paws

2Paws

New member
I love stories like this and reading them just cements my feelings about this magnificant breed. They are magical.

While Henry, Glory and I were at the Penn Ohio water test a couple of years ago, there was a group of young teen boys with some adult supervisors that were visiting. These kids were from the inner city of Philadelphia and had various emotional challenges.

One of the adults came over and asked if I could bring my dog over for the kids. I had Glory with me and told them I would get Henry and bring him over. Glory is wonderful with adults and trustworthy with kids but she stresses out around the unpredictability of kids. I knew Henry could handle the kids.

All but one of the boys enjoyed loving on Henry and having their picture taken with him. It was obvious this one boy was terrified of Henry. He didn't even want Henry looking at him. One of the counselors tried to convince the boy to come over to have his picture taken. He wanted no part of it and adamently stated that fact. He kept his distance while watching the other boys petting Henry, getting kisses and getting their picture taken. He finally came over and said, "Ok, I'll have my picture taken but I don't want that dog touching me or looking at me."

I put Henry into a sit. He positioned himself so his back was to the boy. The boy sat with his back to Henry. You could tell this took great effort. Henry didn't move, didn't even turn his head to look at the boy. Everybody was complimenting this boy on how brave he was being, even the other boys. The cameras started clicking and after a brief time, this boy tentatively reached out behind him and gingerly touched Henry's back. Henry sat perfectly still.

You would have to know Henry to understand why this was so incredible. Henry loves attention, loves to be petted and loves to give kisses. For him to sit this still and not make eye contact with this boy was beyond me. I was keeping an eye on him and he wasn't stressed the least bit. He had this look on his face that told me he knew what he was doing.

The boy began petting Henry's back more confidently and you could see him start to relax a bit. The whole time Henry never changed his position. Even the counselors commented on how well Henry was reading this boy. I have no idea what happened to this young man to instill this incredible fear of dogs but I hope this experience gave him a positive start towards trusting dogs again.

Henry earned his WRD at that water test which was a very proud moment for me but his intuitiveness with his behavior towards that young teenage boy was the highlight of the week-end.

I was told once at a water training seminar that this breed has the ability of telepathy. I've always believed that and reading threads like this just instills that belief.
 
Windancer

Windancer

New member
I absolutely believe they have telepathy..! I have proven it over and over to myself with my newfs over the years. I so enjoy this thread...This is what these dogs ARE..and this is what this list is about !
 
blstarke

blstarke

New member
Windancer said:
JUdy...on the Heleigh Cummings...that never did get solved, did it? and Taft..I thought I knew who she was just from her facial expression...
Click to expand...
No, they never solved the case but Gunny alerted to several areas.
I have seen her 3 times alive in Interlachen though.
I have stayed low on the case now since I received a warning phone call the other day. Someone actually has written a book on it.
www.writeintoaction.com
 
sendchocolate

sendchocolate

New member
blstarke said:
No, they never solved the case but Gunny alerted to several areas.
I have seen her 3 times alive in Interlachen though.
I have stayed low on the case now since I received a warning phone call the other day. Someone actually has written a book on it.
www.writeintoaction.com
Click to expand...
Judy, that's tragic. Is she ok?? Where is she? And why won't they go and get her? Why aren't more people screaming about this?
 
M

Marikay

New member
blstarke said:
No, they never solved the case but Gunny alerted to several areas.
I have seen her 3 times alive in Interlachen though.
I have stayed low on the case now since I received a warning phone call the other day. Someone actually has written a book on it.
www.writeintoaction.com
Click to expand...


If you have actually seen this child or have any information you have an obligation to contact the FBI!
 
CMDRTED

CMDRTED

New member
I'm currently trying to get Ethel into the VA here. It's apparently not a hard process, but it is a pain.
 
BluwaterNewfs

BluwaterNewfs

New member
It took my husband and I 8 months to get approved to do visits at the VA. The VA'a process is painfully slow and they won't do multiple steps at 1 time. And then they loose the paper work and steps must be done again. Finally got our ID badges and then it took over a month before they decided which unit of the facility they wanted us to visit. The VA here has the clinic, hospital, nursing home, and several psychiatric units just to name a few. The VA here requires the dogs be certified with TDI. We have 3 of dogs certified for TDI with each of us as a handler. We rotate which dogs we take. We will certify the young ones when they are old enough.
 
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Newfobsessed

Newfobsessed

New member
I am just reveling in all these fantastic stories. Please keep this thread going for as long as possible. This is such a magical, magnificent breed, and your great heart-touching/breaking stories just further prove it. Thank you for sharing them, and PLEASE keep them coming. They ought to be printed in a book.
 
CMDRTED

CMDRTED

New member
Ethel is a Therapy dog. Currently I'm in the process of getting her authorized for my local Veteran's Administration Hospital for visits. Oreo would make an excellect Therapy dog, but she would not pass the test because she will not stay while you leave, but two weekends ago when Heather P, and JPerelli were at Iutdoor work a young man in a wheelchair (possibly autistic) was going by where we were at. Oreo, was being loved on by several kids, saw him, and left the kids went over to the young man, and laid her head in his lap. He was thrilled, and they were bonded instantly. She was so gentle with him. That was the forst time she had been exposed to someone like that. Even Murphy, cam over was allowed him to pet him. I think he'll make a good one too.

As far as a Service Dog is concerned, I was involved with my ex-SIL once. She had obtained a Newfie Boy from a family that could not keep him. He was a BIG boy. He went to the place in Kansas, where she got her service dog from. He is currently an assistance dog for a young lady who has MS on the east coast. Apparently in addition to his walking and Bracing duties, she gives her a lot of emotional support also. Apparently she can do some light swimming, as Byron will let her swim, if he is in the water with her, and she holds onto him. What a great team. That story had a very happy ending.
 
blstarke

blstarke

New member
Marikay said:
If you have actually seen this child or have any information you have an obligation to contact the FBI!
Click to expand...
FBI has been contacted.
When I saw her last time, we actually had a license plate number and contacted PCSO. They refused to take the info and told us to call Crimestoppers. It was right after this, I received warnings.
Something wrong is happening.
 
baloobear2

baloobear2

New member
That is such an amazing story about the newf that helps the gal with MS with balance and bracing, that is what my big boy did for me:D newfies are perfect for "walker dogs" Good luck with Ethel getting into the VA, talk about a population that can use the love, man she could move mountains of pain--I just know it!:D
 
CMDRTED

CMDRTED

New member
Baloobear2 - My SIL used to have a English Mastiff (Call name Lil Monster). He was the biggest Mastiff I've ever scene (237lbs). He was very Newf-like in personality. Gentle and would help her get up if she fell, and would "Brace" for her when standing, and other activities. Unfortunately he developed Wobblers (a common desease in Mastiff's), and had to retire from Service Work. About a year after he retired the Wobblers bacome so bad he had to go to the Bridge. I miss him a lot, he was such a cool guy. She now has a English Lab (Shorter and blukier). His name is Hairy Potter. He's a cool guy too.
 
baloobear2

baloobear2

New member
That's so a good and sad story all at the same time:( Mastiffs are great dogs too and are usually gentle giants too. That is so sad about the wobblers disease. I saw a video where they treated a newf that had wobblers with a stem cell transplant--was that you that posted that too;D?

It is so hard when your service dog becomes ill or their personality changes because of pain. For me Baloo's was diagnosed with hip displasia and really started having pain and could no longer do the balancing and bracing--well he could but it was going to shorten his days and make him be in pain--not a hard choice for me to make, we retired him, he still likes to do things but initially went through a terrible depression and anxiety about where I was without him, that needed to be treated by his vet, he was crabby, wouldn't take command was withdrawn, seemed like an old cooger. I am happy to say with remedial training and an anti-depressant he is doing much much better. I however have had a broken wrist, bruised hip since not using him.. I miss him dearly but am so glad I have him in my life!!
 
merrymutts

merrymutts

New member
remember how Mollie helped Ron recover from his stroke ??? Satyed right by his bed and helped him learn to walk again...all this onkly a few months after she came home with me. Then, after Ron had his cardiac cath, both Mollie and Zander stuck by him, especially, when he was showering....they knew his leg/groin area was very sore and they wanted to make sure he wouldn't fall and hurt himself.
 
baloobear2

baloobear2

New member
Merry Mutts that is so wonderful!

When I read posts like yours, it just makes my heart swell with Newfie pride--they truly are amazing, almost like they have a ESP going on! I have what I think is a chest cold and a stuffed head today-- Baloo hopped up on the bed to say good morning but was totally enthralled with the smell of my breath, wouldn't leave me alone--I once had a doctor tell me that he could smell strep throat by the way the breath smelled, of course he still would run the strep culture but was never surprised by the results;D So I am going to watch it and if my fever starts going up I'm going to the doc..
 
Q

Queen Chi

New member
Hullo everyone :)

I've not yet gotten my little gaint (Newf puppy!) but the reason for me getting another dog (I already have one tiny Chinese Crested mix!) is so that I can train him as a therapy dog.

I have some fairly severe mental disorders, and I'll be training my newf with not only basic obedience, but spesific skills to help me with my disorders. I'll also have the help of a professional trainer, of course.

I'm planning on getting my newf certified to come everywhere with me, just like a guide dog. It will be a lot of training, but I'm really looking forward to it.

If anyone has any advice or comments on the subject, I'd be glad to hear :)
 
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