It was a windy, overcast Wednesday morningbut warm enough to wear short sleeves. I rode with my mom to the Little Rock airport, buzzing with excitement the entire drive. I had to skip my classes to make the trip, but I wasnt even thinking about what Id have to make up later. I was given his flight tracking number and I anxiously watched as the plane departed California and approached the Clinton National Airport. I was told his name beforehand, but nothing elsenot even a picture. The plane landed and we made our way inside to get my package. I peered over the cargo loading zone to see a crate that looked empty, until suddenly, a sweet little puppy head popped up with wide, brown eyes. And that was the moment Gibson changed my life.
Im a volunteer puppy raiser for Canine Companions for Independence (CCI), which is a nonprofit organization that provides highly trained companion dogs to people with disabilities. CCI raises and trains service, assistance, hearing, and facility dogs, each with their own role in a persons life. I found CCI when I was seeking an opportunity to integrate working dogs into a thesis project, and Im so glad that I did. Ive seen firsthand the impact that a CCI dog can have on someones life and Im proud to be a small part of this organization.
My job as a puppy raiser is to love, raise, train, and socialize Gibson so that he will have the best chance possible at becoming a service dog. The quality of my work will directly influence whether hes able to change the life someone else. Besides the usual puppy care and potty training, I also trim his nails, brush his teeth, and clean his ears every week. I attend regular training sessions with a professional dog trainer, who helps me teach Gibson his 30 commands. I spend time each day reinforcing those commands so that theyre nearly perfect when he returns to CCI. I also take him on public outings to practice his behavior in various settings, which I would say is the most important part of my job.
Gibson is a little over a year old now and his outings are increasingly becoming a regular part of my life. I bring Gibson with me every chance that I getto the grocery store, restaurants, classes, movie theaters, and even to the voting booth last week. People in public usually respond well and understand that hes training, but of course Ive had lots of staring, rude remarks, and even people turning me away from their business. However, he gets a little better each time I take him with me because he becomes more and more familiar with different situations. Sometimes well stand up to leave from a restaurant and Ill hear people say they didnt even realize a dog was under our tablewhich is the biggest compliment somebody could give us, since it took a ton of work to get him to that point.
Raising Gibson for my thesis project has been one of the most rewarding experiences of my life, but not without hard work. Because my work with Gibson is mostly fun, I forget how much time and energy I put into this project. I track the time Ive spent using an app on my phone, and as of last week, Ive spent a little over 815 hours on my thesisand it continues to grow each day. However, Ive been lucky that my role as puppy raiser doesnt ever feel like real work.
Next August, Ill return to California with Gibson to participate in his puppy graduation ceremony. From there, CCI analyzes his behavior in order to place him in the program that best fits his personality. Finally, they will pair Gibson with a person with a disability and they will complete formal training together, tailoring commands to the individuals needs.
Although the thought of letting him go hurts deeply, knowing that hell have a positive impact on someone elses life makes it worth the heartbreak. I love watching him grow up and seeing the progress for which weve both worked so hard. Hes unbelievably smart, patient, sweet, and playfuland I love him like my own. Gibson has brought so much joy and laughter in the short twelve months hes been in my life; hes the best kind of study break and its impossible to feel stressed when Im around him. Even though he isnt mine to keep, Ill never forget the impact hes had on my lifeall this time I thought I was raising him to change someone elses life and it turns out hes changed mine along the way.
If you would like to keep up with our adventures, I post weekly on mydogismyhomework.tumblr.com.