Service dogs provided a warm welcome Tuesday afternoon to diners at a popular restaurant at Brownwood Paddock Square.
Hope Service Dogs and their trainers were at McAlister’s Deli as part of an awareness event.
Victoria Warfel, executive director and a trainer with Hope Service Dogs, was present with her dog-in-training, Loki, a Golden Retriever. Loki is presently being trained to aid a woman who suffers from MS and brittle bones. Warfel explained that potential service dogs are screened for both health and temperament to determine suitability for the role as service dogs. She indicated that certain breeds do well as service dogs such as Labs, Golden Retrievers and Poodles.
Sue Knutson, of the Village of Osceola Hills, was there with Sam, a Golden Doodle. She said her dog’s mother was a standard Poodle and it’s sire was a Golden Doodle. The 20-year Navy veteran has worked with her dog for two years. Sam is trained to deal with both PTSD and heart arrhythmia.
Remi, a Standard Poodle, assists his handler, Jane Thomas-Bedel, in her work with special needs children. Remi went through four weeks of puppy school and five weeks of service dog training. Remi has flown 16 times to Indiana where Thomas-Bedel has clients.
Larissa Comunale was present with her dog, Finn, a blonde retriever.
Comunale explained how Hope Service Dogs works with the dog’s owners, as well as the dog, during the service dog training. Both learn together.
Hope Service Dogs Inc. can be reached at Victoria@HopeServiceDogs.org.
They welcome any dog owners to their training program and will work with potential owners to find the service dog for their needs.
