Service and assistance dog training

Barbara Lewis and assistance dogs

Barbara Lewis began working with people with disabilities and Assistance Dogs in 1993. She is the founder of A New Leash On Life, Inc., a non-profit agency that implements dog training programmes in correctional facilities, and she is the Oklahoma Regional Representative and Field Instructor for Paws With A Cause, a national non-profit agency that trains dogs for people with disabilities.

How the dogs are chosen and trained

The dogs in the prison programme are evaluated for natural traits, and their training is tailored to a specific job: therapy dog, nursing facility resident dog, assistance dog or family pet. That evaluation is the part most people underestimate — a dog that will not enjoy the work should not be asked to do it, however much it is loved at home.

Training sessions

Assistance dog training runs on Sundays at 3:00 pm, with a further session at 4:00 pm on the first and third Sundays of each month, at 622 Alameda in Norman. Instruction includes the same positive motivation foundation used in every other class, applied to the specific tasks the dog will perform.

There is no charge for Pets & People dogs or for Assistance Dogs in training.

Looking for a trained dog?

The prison training program is currently accepting applications for new homes. The training includes sit, stay, lay down, come when called, walk on a leash, wait at the door or gate, and other everyday manners. The dogs are socialised to people and to other dogs and will make great family pets.

Pictures and further information were published at www.adoptatraineddog.com and www.traineddogs.org. Those addresses are no longer online, so call 405-224-7715 and we will put you in touch with the programme.

Training your own dog as an assistance dog

Owners who intend to train their own assistance dog are welcome to join the Sunday sessions. Bring the dog, a mat, and a clear idea of the task you need — and be prepared for the training to take months rather than weeks.