
                  Jan-Dan, Guard Dog of Sultans 

                       Dave Daugherty, 32 
                          P.O. Box 2162 
                        Leesburg, VA 22075 

   This article is about a dog. Not just any dog, but a dog with 
an occupation who, at the age of four, became a hero. Jan-Dan is 
an "independence dog," a dog specially trained to assist someone 
who is mobility disabled. Though I have recovered remarkably from 
surgery several years ago for a brain tumor, I have impaired 
sight, balance, and hearing and must rely heavily on a cane. 

   One of the requirements of receiving an independence dog is 
commitment to living life to its fullest in spite of a handicap. 
Jan-Dan allows me to do just that! 

   First, a little background. Jan-Dan is an Akbash. Her name, 
Hindu for "sincere one," is pronounced Jon-Don. She is 
representative of a new breed of service dog for the United 
States. There are only about 800 in use today. The Akbash is 
pictured in some old Ottoman manuscripts. It is shown protecting 
the Sultan at his court or serving nomadic sheep and goat 
herdsmen on the mountain pastures, yaylas, of Turkey. They are 
still used for the latter since they show great vigilance and 
courage in fending off wolves, jackals, and other predators. 

   Regal white, large (generally 34-inches tall), strong, loyal 
and intelligent, Akbashes today are being trained as wheelchair 
and walker dogs. They can fulfill a variety of tasks. They can, 
for instance, pull the wheelchair of their human partner up ramps 
and over curbs. In this maneuver, called "popping" a curb, the 
person places the front wheels of his or her wheelchair over the 
top of the curb. Then the service dog, which has a strong strap 
fixed to a secure chest harness, pulls the chair up and over the 
curb. 

   Other services include standing and bracing, thus enabling the 
dog's partner to change from wheelchair to another chair, car, or 
bed. In the event of a fall, the dog assists the person to get 
up. In addition, dogs like Jan-Dan can retrieve articles, turn 
lights on and off, open swinging doors, pick up telephones, and 
carry packages in their specially constructed back packs. 

   Independence dogs also assist partners afflicted by cerebral 
palsy, multiple sclerosis, muscular dystrophy, or any other 
mobility handicap. By leaning on the dog's specially designed 
harness, the person often can do without crutches or canes. 
Managing stairs, curbs, and chairs becomes a "piece of cake" when 
an independence dog is there! 

   Jan-Dan was trained by Independence Dogs, Inc., an 
organization founded by M. Jean King who knows the problems of 
the mobility impaired since she is also in a wheelchair. Her 
first Akbash (Shantih, meaning "peace") gave her ease of movement 
as well as peace of mind. Service dogs, after all, not only give 
physical assistance but also the type of non-judgmental love, 
loyalty, and understanding that can be obtained only from a dog. 
Independence Dogs, Inc. (whose motto is "Love and Liberty") is a 
not-for-profit organization which matches the exact dog to each 
person's specific requirements. The cost? How does $150 sound? 
This low charge is all the more impressive when you consider it 
takes six to eight months to train an Akbash at an average cost 
of $8,000 to $10,000 each! 

   As to the methods employed, Jean King says: "We use as much 
love and patience and as little discipline as possible. Our dogs 
work because they want to and are proud of what they are doing 
not because they are afraid not to! Our dogs are trained to be 
intelligent 'thinking' partners in a team - they do not work for 
us; they work with us! They are not trained robots but partners-
in-living." 

   There are at least three other service dog training centers in 
the United States: Santa Rosa, California; Tucson, Arizona; and 
Saint Louis, Missouri. Jan-Dan, however, came to me from Chadds 
Ford, Pennsylvania, and in a rather roundabout way. She had been 
a wheelchair dog for Debbie DeCoster, a disabled veteran in Iowa 
with spinal injuries and multiple sclerosis. With Jan-Dan's 
assistance, Debbie could run her exotic animal business (rabbits, 
chickens, and ducks), go to animal auctions, care for her 
charges, etc. Debbie says, "Jan-Dan made my life what I never 
dreamed it could be. She made me a person again!" 

   On more than one occasion, Jan-Dan saved her life and even 
that of Debbie's husband. Once, for instance, Debbie slipped on 
the ice while leaving her car and was trapped under the vehicle. 
Jan-Dan pulled her out and then supported her until she was in 
control of the situation. Similarly, when Debbie's husband, Joe, 
fell and was knocked unconscious during an ice storm with a minus 
40 degrees wind chill, Jan-Dan pawed and nuzzled him awake and 
braced Joe until he could get to his feet. 

   Jan-Dan, however, was seriously injured during one incident. 
Debbie was trying to descend some stairs with Jan-Dan's help when 
her legs gave out completely. Rather than drag Jan-Dan down with 
her, she let go of the dog's harness. Jan-Dan immediately threw 
herself in front of Debbie, breaking her fall to the hardwood 
floor below. Then, despite her dislocated leg and torn shoulder 
ligaments, Jan-Dan helped Debbie crawl back up the stairs. 

   Jan-Dan's injuries healed, but she could no longer fulfill the 
strenuous work of a wheelchair dog. For some time now, I have 
been privileged to be Jan-Dan's partner. Her help and 
companionship are wonderful. She knows left from right, gives me 
security and support everywhere, curls up near me the moment I 
settle down, and is up and ready to assist the moment I begin to 
rise. She has attended so many Masonic meetings with me that some 
Brethren have talked about making her "a Mason at sight!" 

   Whether Jan-Dan becomes a Mason or not, you can be sure she 
will always be a "Brother" to me! 

Editor's Note: For more information on service canines, 
interested parties may write or call Independence Dogs, Inc., 146 
State Line Road, Chadds Ford, PA 19317 (215) 358-2723. 

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Dave Daugherty was educated as an economist and statistician, 
writes extensively for Masonic publications, serves as a local 
liaison to the National Organization on Disability, and is the 
Founder and President of the Board for the Loudoun County 
Transportation Association. 

