CONGRATULATIONS TO ALEXUS AND DAUGHTER TAVIE AND TAVIE’S NOW SERVICE DOG, “ANNIE”!! THEY PASSED THEIR PUBLIC ACCESS TEST (PAT).

Director and San Antonio Trainer Laurie writes:

Annie was rescued by the Cibolo Animal Shelter, and assessed by Service Dog Express. Client Alexus and her husband were looking for a seizure alert dog for their at the time 6 month old daughter, “Tavie”, who was born with a chromosomal abnormality that predisposed her to seizures. There was an absolutely instant bond between Annie and Tavie – if you saw how Annie gravitated toward Tavie and vice-versa, you would have cried. Since then, the family and I have been training both at home and in public. Annie is always protective of Tavie, follows her everywhere, and Tavie, who is developmentally far beyond her age, constantly goes to Annie with delight. We simply performed the Public Access Test at Bass Pro Shop, focusing on Annie’s abilities – I will continue to work on the seizure alerts as Tavie gets slowly weaned off her medication in the near future with their doctor’s approval. Tavie’s mother, Alexus, did the test with Annie, and her husband and Tavie were right next to her, with Tavie in a stroller. We even did elevator work, and the only thing that Annie barked at twice were the ferocious stuffed animals on the top floor! But we eventually guided Annie up to the different animals and desensitized her to them after she realized they weren’t real. We even put a treat in the stuffed monkey’s paw – and Tavie received it from the paw! Staff thought it was hilarious! Annie is a character!! But I am SO proud of this amazingly dedicated family who will do anything to help their daughter!

SCORING OF THE PUBLIC ACCESS CERTIFICATION TEST
Always=All the time
Mostly=Most of the time (more than half of time)
Sometimes=Some of the time (half or less of the time)
Never=Never demonstrated the skill
The team must score all ‘Always’ or’ Mostly’ ’ responses on the A-M-S-N parts of the test.
The team must score at least 80% “YES” answers on the “YES” “NO” portion of the test.
All questions marked by an asterisk (*) must be answered by a “YES” response.

CONTROLLED UNLOAD OUT OF VEHICLE:

Annie did not try to leave vehicle until given release command.

Annie waited in the vehicle until released.* Yes
Annie waited outside the vehicle under control. Yes
Annie remained under control while another dog was walked. Yes

APPROACHING THE BUILDING:

Relative heel position, not straining or forging.

Annie stayed in relative heel position. Always
Annie was calm around traffic.* Yes
Annie stopped when Alexus/Tavie came to a halt. Always

CONTROLLED ENTRY THROUGH A DOORWAY

Annie waited quietly at the door until commanded to enter.* Yes
Annie waited on the inside until able to return to heel position.* Yes

HEELING THROUGH THE BUILDING

Annie was within the prescribed distance of Alexus/Tavie. Always
Annie ignored the public, remaining focused on Alexus/Tavie. Always
Annie readily adjusted to speed changes. Always
Annie readily turned corners–did not have to be tugged or jerked to change direction. Always
Annie readily maneuvered through tight quarters. Always

SIX FOOT RECALL ON LEAD

Annie responded readily to the recall command–did not stray away, seek attention from others, or trudge slowly.* Yes
Annie remained under control and focused on Alexus/Tavie.* Yes
Annie came within the prescribed distance of Alexus/Tavie.* Yes
Annie came directly to Alexus/Tavie.* Yes

SITS ON COMMAND

Annie responded promptly to the command to sit. Always
Annie remained under control around food–not trying to get food and not needing repeated corrections.* Yes
Annie remained composed while the shopping cart passed–did not shy away, show signs of fear, etc.* Yes
Annie maintained a sit-stay while being petted by a stranger.* Yes

DOWNS ON COMMAND

Annie responded promptly to the command to down. Always
Annie remained under control around the food–not trying to get food and not needing repeated corrections.* Yes
Annie remained in control while the child approached – child should not taunt Annie or be overly dramatic.* Yes

NOISE DISTRACTIONS

If Annie jumps, turns, or shows a quick startle type reaction, that is fine. Annie should not show fear, aggression, or continue to be affected by the noise.

Annie remained composed during the noise distraction.* Yes

RESTAURANT

Annie is unobtrusive and out of the way of patrons and employees as much as possible.* Yes
Annie maintained proper behavior, ignoring food and being quiet.* Yes

OFF LEAD

When told to drop the leash, the team maintained control and Alexus/Tavie got the leash back in position.* Yes

DOG TAKEN BY ANOTHER PERSON

Another person can take Annie’s leash and Alexus/Tavie can move away without aggression or undue stress on the part of Annie.* Yes

CONTROLLED EXIT

Annie stayed in relative heel position. Always
Annie was calm around traffic.* Yes
Annie stopped when Alexus/Tavie came to a halt. Always

CONTROLLED LOAD INTO VEHICLE

Annie waited until commanded to enter the vehicle. Yes
Annie readily entered the vehicle upon command. Yes

TEAM RELATIONSHIP

When Annie did well, Alexus/Tavie praised Annie. Always
Annie is relaxed, confident, and friendly. Always
Alexus/Tavie kept Annie under control. Always
Alexus/Tavie was prepared with proper working materials and equipment in case of an access confrontation (laws, etc.). Yes

PASS TEST: Yes