went through training,
now relies on new friend
Canine companion finds
a home aiding resident
Young disabled woman
went through training,
now relies on new friend
By linda denicola
Staff Writer
Andrea Adams (seated) is helped in many of her daily tasks by her mom, Margaret, and her canine companion Luann, who has been trained to respond to more than 50 commands and was provided by Canine Companions for Independence. Four years ago Andrea contracted meningitis, which led to acute respiratory distress syndrome. She went into cardiac arrest and, as a result, suffered permanent brain damage that also left her blind. See page 11.
Matched with a canine companion, disabled Freehold Borough resident Andrea Adams can look forward to more independence and a constant companion.
She was matched with Luann, a 2-year-old black Labrador/golden retriever mix who has been trained to respond to more than 50 commands.
Luann can turn light switches on and off, open and close doors and complete transactions, but one of her most important jobs will be to provide constant companionship for Andrea.
"She’s a wonderful companion for Andrea," said Andrea’s mother, Margaret, who is also a facilitator for the Canine Companions for Independence (CCI) team training.
"She goes everywhere that Andrea goes, and when Andrea is getting her cognitive therapy at home, she’s right nearby.
"These dogs know a lot of commands. She can retrieve things and pick them up and put them in Andrea’s lap. She helps Andrea take off her socks. She opens and closes the refrigerator and gets things for Andrea."
Adams said Luann is an amazing dog and described the bond between Andrea and her dog as amazing.
She explained that Luann’s presence is also helpful to her.
"She helps me feel less guilty when I have to leave Andrea alone to do things around the house," Adams said.
Andrea completed a two-week training class held at CCI’s Northeast Regional center in Farmingdale, N.Y., in November.
The Farmingdale center is one of five centers nationwide.
Each student who attends Team Training, held at each center four times a year, is paired with a fully trained working dog and is taught to work with his or her canine partner.
The training course consists of daily lectures, exams, practice and public outings.
Andrea’s mother became her daughter’s full-time caregiver four years ago when Andrea was 18.
The young woman contracted meningitis, which led to acute respiratory distress syndrome.
Andrea went into cardiac arrest and as a result suffered permanent brain damage that also left her blind.
"Her injury affected all her motor skills. She is still getting therapy. We were in Pennsylvania for seven months while Andrea got therapy. When we came home, Andrea was able to walk with assistance. Because of the spasticity, she can only feed herself if I block her elbow," Adams said.
According to Adams, Andrea is planning to attend Brookdale Community College, Lincroft, in the fall.
She has already taken one course at Brookdale, "Discovery Through Writing."
Andrea dictated her classwork to her mother or to an aide, who then typed it for her.
Andrea plans to study writing and enjoys listening to music and books on tape.
She can’t wait for the next Harry Potter book to come out, her mother said.
Adams heard about Canine Companions from her sister and then again from a therapist at Children’s Specialized Hospital in Toms River, where Andrea was hospitalized from June through September 2002.
"It’s a fabulous organization. I would recommend it to anyone. They have more dogs than applicants right now," she said.
Adams said Canine Companions are easy to spot, noting they have to wear identifying vests at all times when they are out in public.
Blind people have been assisted by guide dogs for many years now, but an increasing number of people with physical disabilities are getting help from service dogs that are trained to make up for limitations in mobility, coordination or strength. That’s where CCI comes to the rescue.
Their service dogs begin their training at approximately 14 months old, and the entire process takes six to nine months.
A dog is fully trained when it is introduced to the person who may become its partner. Training of the person in the use of a dog lasts for two very full weeks.
At the end of the training, a public graduation ceremony takes place marking the beginning of a long-term relationship between the person and the dog.
Graduates remain in touch with CCI through regular follow-up programs, workshops and reunions.
"There’s a lot of love and hard work behind all of this training," Adams said.
The organization also has a puppy raising program which provides an opportunity for volunteers to help by taking care of a puppy from 8 weeks until they are 13 to 18 months old.
According to CCI literature, puppies need lots of training and attention to develop into happy, healthy adult dogs.
The puppy raiser provides house training, teaches basic obedience skills and plays an active role in molding responsive and confident dogs.
CCI, which was founded in 1975 in Santa Rosa, Calif., is funded by charitable donations and gets no financial support from the government.
The organization reports that 82 percent of every dollar raised goes directly to program services to provide Canine Companions to people with disabilities.
For information about Canine Companions for Independence, contact the Northeast Regional Center at 1-800-572-BARK or visit the Internet Web site at www.caninecompanions.org.