Ep.31: Macy (my Helping Paws service dog with Dawn, Brian, & Eileen)
In 2015, my family applied to Helping Paws to get me a service dog. I am so blessed that they had confidence in the organization and myself to find an excellent match that would greatly impact my recovery after cancer and my ever changing independence. Eileen started helping paws 35 years ago and it was from that very moment on that God started working in the Cherwinka's life and mine. Since those many years ago, Helping Paws and it's incredible foster families are changing lives across the united states and encouraging a life of joy, companionship, and independence to those who need it most. Come hang out with these special guests and hear about how Macy has helped me....AND all about the immense gift Dawn and Brian have given me. I am so grateful to this organization. I am very proud of this episode.
Be sure to visit www.helpingpaws.org to check out the organization, volunteer opportunities, make a donation, apply to be a foster trainer, or apply to get a dog. Call 952-988-9359 to speak with them directly.
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Visit Helping Paws’ website HERE.
In March of 2021, Dawn started her very own dog training and breeding business called Sunset Companion Doodles located in Faribault, MN.
Be sure to checkout her website and contact her today for a wonderful pooch of your own.
Visit Sunset Companion Doodles HERE.
And read my review:
“Back in 2012, Dawn volunteered her valuable time, love, and expertise to Helping Paws of Hopkins MN by committing to train a (service dog) golden retriever puppy named Macy. At the time, I was a perfectly normal, healthy, and independent 22 year old unaware of how this immense gift would impact my life just 3 short years later.
Helping Paws breeds and places trained service dogs with individuals who are disabled, and in my case, needing physical help to sustain a confident and independent lifestyle for a very low price. In 2014, I was diagnosed with a spinal tumor and in order to live without cancer I would need to give up my ability to walk and be a wheelchair user 24/7.
In 2015, Dawn’s beloved Macy who had been raised carefully and trained thoroughly to do her very best work chose ME out of a group of people needing a furry copilot. When my life seemingly crumbled and was flipped upside down, Macy helped me sort all of that out each day while helping me always see the good. Macy has been my biggest blessing post-cancer by allowing me to reclaim an independent lifestyle from a wheelchair. She is always by my side--on an airplane, at the grocery store, family gatherings, and even work.
Macy goes wherever I go and graces me with a gentle and completely loyal presence. She is always ready to bring me my shoes as I get dressed in my bed or crawl under the table to get me something I dropped. She can turn my lights on and off and even opens and closes doors. She loves to pick up towels, blankets, clothes, and even knows how to pull my socks off with her teeth.
She 100% manages my anxiety by just being around and being her loving self. I attribute all these amazing qualities to Dawn’s extremely hard work and careful intention to Macy and her training as a puppy. I literally cannot imagine my life without her. Now I will have a service dog my whole life because the thought of not having Macy in my life is inconceivable.
If you are seeking a good dog--Dawn can provide you with the best around. So look no further for training services. I have 100% confidence in Dawn and Sunset Companion Doodles to be exactly what you’re looking for.
I cannot thank Dawn enough. She sacrificed so very much to help a stranger.
Macy has changed my life for the better and is my best friend.”
- Tess Pfohl, Podcast Host 3.26.21
This is a great Douxo Chlorhexidine PS shampoo for your dog if it has dry flakey skin. Dawn uses this on her goldens.
If your pooch has chronic dry skin, try giving fish oils as part of their diet and talk with your veterinarian solutions!
Info about the potty training door bell Dawn recommended HERE!
Here's how to train your dog to ring a bell to go outside to potty:
Intro to the bell: Show your dog the bell. If she touches it with her nose, give her a treat. Once she is touching her nose to the bell every time you show it to her, go on to the next step. Put the bell away when you are not practicing with it.
Ringing the bell: Show her the bell and only feed her a treat when she rings the bell by touching it. Once she is ringing it every time you show it to her, go on to the next step. Put the bell away when you are not practicing with it.
Ringing the bell by the door: Hang the bell by the door that you want your dog to use to go out and show her the bell. Give her a treat when she rings it. Once she is ringing the bell by the door each time you point to it, go on to the next step. Put the bell away when you are not practicing with it.
Ringing the bell by the door to go out for a treat: Put your bell by the door. Let her watch you as you place a treat outside the door. Close the door and then point to the bell. When she rings the bell, open the door and let her get the treat. Once she rings the bell right away when you place a treat outside go on to the next step. Leave the bell in place by the door.
Real life!: Next time you think she has to potty, go with her to the door and point to the bell. When she rings it, open the door and let her potty. Reward her with a treat when she finishes. Each time you let her out to potty, ask her to ring the bell first and feed her a treat when she finishes.
Maintenance phase: Leave the bell on the door and when she rings it let her out to potty. If she starts to play or dawdle outside, bring her in. This will prevent her from ringing the bell when she sees a squirrel (or at least prevent her from learning that she can get you to let her out to play instead of just to potty)
…And the Clicker Training bracelet HERE!
The Art Of Raising A Puppy by The Monks Of New Skete
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