| Frequently Asked Questions: What special things do you do as an Assistance Dog? * I can turn on and off light switches, pick up pretty much anything from a quarter to an empty laundry basket, push buttons on both doors and walls, open the fridge and get something out and then shut it and I am learning even more fun things! What tricks do you know? * I can speak, shake, take a nap, wake up, crawl, roll a ball, carry an envelope for the envelope game,bow and I am always learning new things. How can I find out more information on Assistance Dogs? * Contact Heather for more information at: 763-786-1782 or check out the Neads webpage below! |
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| FACTOR Service Dog for Therapy |
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| I am so glad that you stopped by to visit my web page. I'll tell you a little bit about myself and what I do. I am a 2 year old Australian Shepherd. I work at Family Achievement Center in Woodbury with Heather Fisher, Occupational Therapist. I was trained as an Assistance Dog for Therapy at NEADS in Princeton, MA. I go to work each day with Heather and I go home at the end of the day with her too! At home I get to be a regular DOG for the most part but I help with things around the house too. I open and close the refrigerator, pick up clothes on the floor, help Heather take off her socks,and turn on and off light switches. I need to keep up my assistance dog skills when we are out in public too, so we go to places like Target and out to eat. I really enjoy my job and I love to be around kids and there is ALWAYS kids for me to play with at Family Achievement Center! Heather and I started Agility classes on Thursday nights and that is SO much fun! I run through tunnels, over an A-frame, go over jumps and run on the dog walk. I get to see my dog friends when I am there and we have so much fun. |
| What is an Assistance Dog for Therapy? I am an Assistance Dog and I am used to do Animal Assisted Therapy (AAT). This means that I go to work with Heather and am an integral part of her therapy practice. I am used as a motivator for the child that doesn't want to do a task that might be hard, scary or frustrating. Children can brush me to work on there range of motion and strength in their arms, clothespins can be attached to my vest for work on finger strength, zippers can also be practiced on my vest. I have been known to play dress-up to practice buttons and zippers too! I am also used to help calm children in their therapy sessions. I love to be petted and I love to give kisses. Both of these can be very calming to high energy or upset children. Heather and the therapist's at Family Achievement Center are very creative with how I can be incorporated into therapy sessions. |
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| Check out Factor Pictures! |
| Have you heard? Heather is now the MN State Representative for Neads/Dogs for Deaf and Disabled Americans |
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