Comments (0)

By jnavary, January 14, 2010

The first American camera was patented by Alexander Wolcott in 1840. Since that time dogs have  consistently ranked amongst the favorite animal models for photographers. Dogs played many roles in early photography, representing mascots, war dogs, novelty photos, guardians, hunters and entertainers. Of course, some older photos portray dogs in the role with which we are most familiar – that of loyal companion.

It can be fascinating to observe the physical development of various breeds throught the years. By comparing what we see today with photographs of the same breeds taken many years ago, changes over time can be quite notable. For example, the practice of selective breeding for aesthetic purposes has increased the size of the bulldog’s head. This change in physical appearance can, unfortunately, result in health problems. For the bulldog, the modification of the head has increased the probability of problems with both breathing and giving birth.

In the first photo below you can see a thinner, smaller headed and longer legged bulldog – characteristics making him closer to the look of his ancestors who were originally bred for the “sport” of bull baiting.

I hope you enjoy this small collection of vintage dog photos as much as I did while collecting them!

Dreamworld Irish Boy (c. 1910’s-20’s)

The bulldog in this photo, Dreamworld Irish Boy, went on to win Best In Show at Westminster in 1914.

Photo Credit: U.S. Library of Congress

——————————–

Portrait of a girl with a dog. Stockholm 1865-1875

Photographer: Wilhelm Lundberg

Photo Credit: Stads Museum, Stockholm, Sweden

——————————

Buccleuch Avon (b.1885)

Buccleuch Avon was one of the founders of the modern Labrador, and he carried the “liver” gene. He is believed to be the ancestor of all chocolate Labs.

Photo Credit: U.P. Labradors

—————————————–

An Old Sea Dog - 1905

Photo Credit: U.S. Library of Congress

—————————————

Kennel master at the White House for Herbert Hoover's dogs.

Robert R. Robinson, kennel master at the White House for Herbert Hoover’s dogs, Buckeye, a German police dog; King Tut, a Belgian police dog; and Englehurst Gillette, a Gordon setter.

Photo Credit: National Photo Company / U.S. Library of Congress

————————————–

Who is cuter?

Photographer unknown – early 20th century

Photo Credit:  Vintage Portraiture on Flickr.com

—————————————–

Franklin Delano Roosevelt and his daughter, Anna, with their German Shepherd dog, "Chief of the Mohawk". May 1920 during the Seventh annual Dog Show of the Washington Kennel Club.

Photo Credit: National Photo Company / U.S. Library of Congress

————————————-

The Bath - Circa 1914

Cute photo by Harry Whittier Frees featuring a dog dressed as human appearing to give another dog a bath in a tub.

Photo Credit: Harry Whittier Frees / U.S. Library of Congress

—————————————

George Custer and his dog - 1862. Taken during the Peninsula Campaign in Virginia.

Photo Credit: Civil War glass negative collection, U.S. Library of Congress

————————————-

Helen Keller with her dog, 1904

Photo Credit: U.S. Library of Congress

———————————————————————————

DogBurg’s Daily Art Spot

Newfoundland Dog Called Lion, 1824

Framed Giclee Print

Landseer, Edwin…

36.25 in. x 30.25 in.

Buy at AllPosters.com

Comments (0)

By jnavary, January 8, 2010

Signs of Canine Illness

Owners who observe and handle their healthy dogs have a head start on recognizing early signs of illness in their pets. Those who know what a healthy pet acts, feels, and smells like can spot differences in behavior and bodies and determine whether a trip to the veterinarian is necessary.

Healthy dogs have a temperature of 101-102º F, a respiratory rate of 15-20 breaths per minute, and a heart rate of 80-120 beats per minute. They have pink mucous membranes (gums, inside of lips, tongue, inside of eyelids) and rapid capillary refill action in these areas.

They have clean-smelling ears and skin and a full haircoat. Their skin is pliant, an indication of proper hydration, and their eyes are clear and bright.

If your puppy or dog shows any of the following signs, be prepared to call your veterinarian.

•  Eyes: swelling, discharge, redness, etc.

•  Nose: running, crusting, discharge, etc.

•  Ears: discharge, debris, odor, twitching, scratching, shaking, etc.

•  Coughing, gagging, sneezing, retching, or vomiting.

•  Irregular breathing, shortness of breath, prolonged or heavy panting, etc.

•  Intestinal activity
- Color and consistency of bowel movement
- Frequency of defecation
- Bloody stool
- Evidence of parasites, etc

•  Change in amout of food intake

•  Change in body weight

•  Change in water intake

•  Urine
-  Color
-  Frequency
-  Amount
-  Straining
-  Dribbling, etc.

•  Odor
-  Mouth?
-  Skin?
-  Ears?
-  Other?

•  Coat & skin
-  Wounds
-  Tumors
-  Hair loss
-  Dander
-  Color change
-  Biting
-  Scratching
-  Bite marks
-  Evidence of parasites
-  Licking, etc.

•  Behavior
-  Depression
-  Anxiety,
-  Fatigue
-  Lethargy
-  Sleepiness
-  Trembling
-  Stumbling
-  Falling, etc.

Noticing signs is half the battle; keeping a record helps the veterinarian make a diagnosis. Be sure to note when the symptom first appeared, and whether it has been intermittent, continuous, increasing in frequency, getting better, or getting worse before calling the veterinarian.

———————————————————————————

DogBurg’s Daily Art Spot

Two St. Bernard Rescue Dogs in the Alpine Snow

Framed Giclee Print

31.25 in. x 23.25 in.

Buy at AllPosters.com

Comments (0)

By jnavary, December 5, 2009

Your dog provides you with love and attention, and you want to do the same. But how?

First off, all dogs love some kind of exercise. Dogs need to burn off extra energy, and they enjoy spending time with you. The typical walk is fine, but sometimes your best friend may get tired of that and be looking for something else. After you’re both tired of the morning walk and the typical fetch games, start looking for some other ideas to keep you both occupied.

1. Train your dog to do something. If he doesn’t know the usual commands like sit, stay and speak, then that’s a good place to start. Use a food treat that your dog likes and reward him as he does the behavior. You may have to begin by rewarding behavior that’s close to what you want, and then gradually reward only behavior that’s closer and closer to what you’re looking for. If your dog is ready to learn something more challenging, then try teaching him to catch a ball or roll over. The physical exercise and mental challenge will be good for him and entertaining for you.

2. Freeze a block of water with a treat inside. Most dogs enjoy licking and playing with ice, and he’ll soon learn that there’s something even better inside to work for. This can keep him busy for quite some time, but can be messy.

3. Teach your dog to play hide and seek with a favorite toy. First, spend some time teaching your dog the name of the toy, and reward him when he brings it to you. This may take some time to get right, but be patient. Most dogs can do this if given the time. When your dog reliably brings the toy to you when asked, begin hiding the item and encouraging the dog to look for it. Walk around the house and ìhelpî your dog search. He’ll enjoy the challenge and excitement of finding where his toy is next.

4. Take your dog out for the day. Whether it’s to the park, a forest, for a swim, etc., getting away from home can be as important for your dog as for you. Be sure to keep him safely on a leash, and supervise him. Even if he knows his commands, the excitement of being in a new area can cause many dogs to ignore their owners, often endangering themselves. If you’re not the outdoors type, then take your dog shopping at a local pet store. To reduce his excitability, walk him a bit first before entering the store to burn off some energy.

5. Play a game of Which hand Put a treat in one hand, but don’t let the dog see you do it. Then, encourage the dog to sniff both hands and reward him when he chooses the right hand. With practice, you can even teach your dog to pat or lick the hand that holds the treat.

With a little creativity, you can spend quality time with your dog and encourage him to exercise both his body and mind. It will make you both happier

Comments (0)

By jnavary, November 30, 2009

I Read To Dogs

Written by Amy Abern
Photos by Christin Steinbruch, Bev Thompson and Patti Shea

Reading to dogs. And cats. And rabbits. Sure, that’s normal, if you happened to fall down the rabbit hole with Alice, right?

Actually, it’s not so odd. The Best Friends Humane Education department launched the “I Read to Animals” program, an educational initiative created for children to read to dogs, rabbits, cats … even desert tortoises. Since its inception a few months ago, Best Friends has presented “I Read to Animals” in Nevada, Arizona, Utah and most recently, New York.

Humane Ed Program specialist Kim Dalton, Best Friends’ education ambassador Bev Thompson and Best Friends’ volunteer Audrey Hendler offered two “I Read to Animals” programs to many eager, dog-loving children at the Children’s Museum of Manhattan. The youngsters sat down, one at a time, to read to three large mastiffs from the Sean Casey Animal Rescue and three smaller dogs from the Good Dog Foundation. Occasionally, they’d stop to make sure the dogs understood the plot line. Actually, it was just an excuse to spend a little time petting the dogs, rubbing their bellies and soliciting friendly licks on the hand.

Rita London, director of programs of the Children’s Museum of Manhattan comments, “The event was very sweet. I was impressed that, for the most part, the children weren’t afraid of the dogs and picked up books to read to them as if that was a normal activity.”

Thompson agrees. “They really felt they were getting through to the dogs,” says Thompson. “A couple of kids were disappointed because they didn’t have time to finish the stories they were reading, but other than that, the programs seemed to be a big hit with the kids and the dogs.”

The presentation was also a big hit with the parents. Dalton spent some time talking with the moms and dads to find out why they brought their children to this program. It was no surprise to learn that many of them came simply because the family loved dogs, but that wasn’t the only reason.

Reading is fun.

One father brought both his children to the event because they love dogs but are allergic, so they can’t have any dogs living with them. He said at least “I Read to Animals” allowed them the opportunity to be with dogs for a brief time.

Another family from Holland brought their son to see the dogs, certainly, but also to help him with reading in English. During his time with the dog, the child experienced difficulty in reading, but never quit, probably because he knew he’d have to give up his time petting the dog.

Dalton said one of the younger participants created his own picture booklet “I Love Dogs and Cats.”

“As an elementary educator for 16 years, it was heartwarming to see the impact of the ‘I Read to Animals’ program for this particular child,” says Dalton. “He wrote it with colorful crayons in his enthusiastic child-like handwriting. It was such a joyful experience because the father was so touched by his son’s accomplishments. I’m hoping the dad will e-mail a copy of the book to me.”

While there are several “read to animals” programs around the country, Best Friends adds an educational element to its version with one of several PowerPoint presentations focusing on a variety of animal welfare issues. Each one ties into Best Friends’ overall goal of living in a time when there are No More Homeless Pets. Dalton says the presentation combined with the activities make a perfect fit to teach kindness and compassion toward animals while, at the same time, gives the children a chance to practice those lessons with real live animals and trained pet teams on site.

“‘I Read to Animals’ not only encourages compassion and kindness toward animals in a safe and supportive environment, but also builds a respect for animals,” says Dalton. “In addition, the program encourages language and reading skills and helps increase children’s self esteem and confidence. Children have the opportunity to read to animals in a relaxed, nonjudgmental, encouraging environment.”

Each presentation is a little different, depending on the audience. For instance, the one used in New York centered on animal adoption. As New York is a large metropolitan city with several animal shelters, it made sense to bring home the message to adopt, not buy.

One of the upcoming planned “I Read to Animals” will be presented to children living on the Navajo and Hopi Indian reservations. Their life experiences couldn’t be any more different from those of children living on the upper west side of New York City. But the fundamental idea that we can create a better world through kindness to animals can be taught in a variety of ways; and that lesson lives at the core of every “I Read to Animals” presentation.

“We are committed to encouraging children across the nation and across cultures to join us in our goal of living in a time when there are No More Homeless Pets,” says Dalton. “With programs like ‘I Read to Animals,’ we are shaping the mindsets of these wonderful young people to think of animals with compassion and kindness. And that’s a great place to start.”

There’s something for me, too.

The concept and curriculum of “I Read to Animals” were developed through the Best Friends Humane Education department. The program not only serves as a learning tool for children, but it also gives our loyal Best Friends’ members an opportunity to do what we keep hearing they want to do: become more involved with Best Friends.

Think about it: If a classroom teacher, librarian or volunteer in Pennsylvania wants to host an “I Read to Animals” event, we need a Best Friends’ education ambassador in Pennsylvania to take on the program. So far, several people from all over the country have signed up for the opportunity to participate. All it takes is a little training through a webinar and $42 to cover the cost of a background check.

To sign up as a Best Friends’ education ambassador to bring “I Read to the Animals” to your area, click here, e-mail kimd@bestfriends.org or phone 435-644-2001 Ext. 4632.

As part of Best Friends’ 25th anniversary in 2009, our goal is to double our membership, so we can double our efforts to bring about a time when all companion animals have a forever home. What can you do to help? Give the Gift of a Best Friends membership to family and friends.

———————————————————————————

DogBurg’s Daily Art Spot

Sweet Dreams

Framed Art Print

Bunka, Sekai

37.5 in. x 13.25 in.

Buy at AllPosters.com

Comments (0)

By jnavary, November 13, 2009

Nellie McKay is a critically acclaimed singer-songwriter and an animal advocate. The Dog Song is from her first album, “Get Away From Me”.

Here are the lyrics to The Dog Song

I’m just a walkin’ my dog
Singin’ my song
Strollin’ along
Yeah it’s just me and my dog
Catchin’ some sun
We can’t go wrong

My life was lonely and blue
Yeah I was sad as a sailor
I was an angry ‘un too
Then there was you
Appeared, when I was entangled
With youth, and fear, and nerves
Jingle jangle
Vermouth and beer
Were gettin’ me mangled up

But then I looked in your eyes
And I was no more a failure
You looked so wacky and wise
And I said, lord I’m happy
’cause I’m just a walkin’ my dog
Singin’ my song
Strollin’ along
It’s just me and my dog
Catchin’ some sun
We can’t go wrong
’cause I don’t care ’bout your hatin’ and your doubt
And I don’t care what the politicians spout
If you wanna companion
Well just go right to the pound
And find yourself a hound
And make that doggie proud
’cause that’s what it’s all about

My life was tragic and sad
Yeah I was the archetypal loser
I was a pageant gone bad
Then there was you on time
And wagging your tail
In the cutest mime
And you was in jail
I said woof, be mine
And you gave a wail
And then I was no longer alone
And I was no more a boozer
We’ll make the happiest home
And I said lord I’m happy
’cause I’m just a walkin’ my dog
Singin’ my song
Strollin’ along
It’s just me and my dog
Catchin’ some sun
We can’t go wrong
’cause I don’t care ’bout your hatin’ and your doubt
And I don’t care what the politicians spout
If you need a companion
Well just go right to the pound
And find yourself a hound
And make that doggie proud
’cause that’s what it’s all about
That’s what it’s all about
That’s what it’s all abow-wow-wow-wout
That’s what it’s all about

———————————————————————————

DogBurg’s Daily Art Spot

Dog Day Afternoon I

Framed Art Print

O’Connell, Steve

14 in. x 8 in.

Buy at AllPosters.com

Comments (0)

By jnavary, October 26, 2009

Dear DogBurg Community,

I just received the following message from the American Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (ASPCA) and would like to get this the widest publicity possible. I’ll be “tweeting” on Twitter about this and ask that you do what you can to get the word out.

LUCKY

This hit home for me about six weeks ago when our beloved pooch, Lucky, disappeared. Lucky would never wander away on her own. I’ve been praying that she was not snatched by one of these “bunchers” – the lowest of the low – but have my suspicions…

Thanks,
Jim
DogBurg.com

——————————————————-

Dear Animal Advocates,

The federal Pet Safety and Protection Act would prohibit Class B Dealers and unlicensed individuals from selling dogs and cats to research laboratories.

Class B Dealers are people who collect dogs and cats to sell to the research industry. They sometimes obtain their animals through illegal or unethical means, such as by responding to “free to good home” ads in newspapers, falsifying records to keep the true origins of the animals unknown and stealing pets kept outside in yards. They also buy animals in bulk from “bunchers,” whose methods are even more questionable.

Eliminating Class B Dealers will also take away the profit motive of bunchers, providing a much-needed safety net to ensure beloved pets are not stolen or acquired under false pretenses and sold to facilities that test on animals.

What You Can Do
Visit the ASPCA Advocacy Center Online to email your U.S. senators and representative urging them to support and cosponsor the Pet Safety and Protection Act. You may use the same link to read about this legislation in greater depth.

Thank you for supporting the ASPCA and America’s animals.

———————————————————————————

DogBurg’s Daily Art Spot

Large Assortment of Dogs: Including:Hounds Setters and Spaniels

Framed Giclee Print

28.375 in. x 24 in.

Buy at AllPosters.com

Comments (0)

By jnavary, October 15, 2009

Canine vs Feline?

Almost two of every three pet owners prefer dogs, according to an online poll conducted jointly by the American Kennel Club and the Cat Fanciers Association.

Of more than 9,000 votes cast, dogs fetched 65 percent of them. The votes in the “pet preference” poll were tallied over eight weeks on the website meetthebreeds.com.

Inspired by the upcoming Meet the Breeds event, the world’s largest showcase of cats and dogs, the American Kennel Club and the Cat Fanciers’ Association  joined forces this summer to put an end to the age old debate over whether dogs or cats are more beloved.

While cats outnumber dogs by nearly 13 million among the pet-owning American public, dogs fetched 65% of the vote, with the widest margins of victory in Chicago, Seattle,  and Detroit.

Cats fared slightly better, but still beneath dogs, in Philadelphia, Houston and Baltimore. The city-by-city tallies can be found on the Meet the Breeds website.

Voters were allowed to present their arguments along with their votes. Here are some of them, according to an AKC press release.

CATS:

– Don’t hang all over you wanting attention … they don’t eat disgusting things and then try to lick your face.

– Don’t have to be walked and they don’t bark!

– Are  much easier to live with – with much less work.

Dogs on the other hand “walk around with a smile as man’s best friend and are always there for us.”

And as for a cat’s nine lives, one voter said, “Cats have to have do-over lives because they didn’t figure out how to have fun the first time around.”

Sponsored by PetPartners, Inc. a leading pet healthcare provider, Meet the Breeds will be held October 17 & 18, 2009 at the Jacob K. Javits Convention Center in New York City. The event will showcase 160 AKC registered dog breeds and 41 CFA registered cat breeds in booths individually decorated to depict each breed’s country of origin, historical purpose/function, and attributes as a family pet.

More information and tickets are available at meetthebreeds.com.

————————————————————————–

DogBurg’s Daily Art Spot

Bassett Hound Pup with Sunflowers

Framed Art Print

Stone, Lynn M.

16 in. x 13 in.

Buy at AllPosters.com

Comments (0)

By Jeff Logue, September 27, 2009

When shopping around for a dog house, you will find that the pricing options can vary significantly. Models include everything from great budget buys to elegant mansions, leaving endless options for any owner. However, if you are on a tighter budget or would like to put your own special touch and creativity into this important project, making your own dog house plans may be the best avenue to take. Therefore, let’s discover three huge advantages to building your own dog house.

Home Sweet Home

First of all, no one understands a dog better than its owner. Therefore, only you have the insights and knowledge handy to truly make this feel like home. For example, perhaps your dog is more susceptible to cooler temperatures, or maybe it prefers to have a lot of open space while sleeping. Additionally, if you have a smaller dog, it may help to build a sturdy ramp up to the front door for easier accessibility. When installing the roof, you also have the choice of making it flatter so your dog can enjoy lying on it outside. Of course, the options are endless!

Next, you can tailor the budget to fit your needs. Instead of trying to decide between the small dog house that doesn’t have quite enough head room, or a large dog house which clearly provides too much space for an extremely high price, you can build it just right. Now you are in control of making the proper measurements and purchasing the exact amount of materials needed for completion. In fact, with the proper estimates, you can know exactly how much you will spend before you even begin.

Finally, you can purchase the best materials for a fraction of the price. By creating your own dog house plans, you will be avoiding a lot of those extra retail costs. Thus, you may even decide to upgrade to a higher quality wood or install 30-year shingles for added protection. Find the materials that work best for your climate and situation, while providing a beautiful aesthetic appeal everyone will enjoy. The sky is truly the limit!

As you can see, there are many advantages to making your own dog house plans. If interested in learning more, there are various courses and other free resources online that can help guide you through the process, regardless of your skill level. Therefore, continue to do your research and homework. You may be surprised at how easy building a dog house can truly be.

Jeff Logue is co-creator and primary author of the dog house plans blog, providing the best tips and training for building your own dog houses.

Dog House Plans – Click here for more great tips and training.

DogBurg’s Daily Art Spot

Miniature Dachshund

Framed Art Print

Gibson, Judy

10 in. x 12 in.

Buy at AllPosters.com

Comments (0)

By jnavary, September 25, 2009

Today’s adoptable dog is Vendi, a beautiful young Pit Bull Terrier currently staying with PAWS (Pet Animal Welfare Society) of Norwalk, CT.

Here’s Vendi’s story:

Vendi

I came. I saw. I got drool on your pants. OK. OK. So my Latin is a little rusty! What did you expect? I’m a dog! Not just any dog mind you. I’m a GREAT dog! I know it because everyone here at PAWS tells me so every day. I have have lived with children of all ages and got along well with them all. However due to my energy and penchant for full-body wiggling it might be best if I live with children who are 7 years and up. I just don’t want to knock any little ones over! I also get along great with other dogs. I’m your good, basic family dog that loves people and you can take me just about anywhere! At just 1-1/2 years old I’m really still a puppy with lots of puppy love, kisses and fun in me! Playful, happy and silly are my middle names. I’m a Pit Bull Terrier (don’t be scared – I wouldn’t hurt a flea!), I weigh about 40 lbs (they call me a “pocket pit”), spayed female and I’m up to date on all my vaccines.

Carpe Diem! Seize the day and adopt me!

For additional information about Vendi and PAWS, please click on her photo.

Comments (0)

By jnavary, September 24, 2009

HICKAM AIR FORCE BASE, Hawaii – Honolulu’s weather, scenery and island lifestyle can make it easy for Hickam Air Force Base residents to forget there are servicemembers fighting on two battlefronts almost 8,000 miles away.

Kristen Ness, Hickam Community Housing resident, can’t forget the sacrifices some Soldiers, Sailors, Airmen and Marines have made because she has a large, yellow reminder always at her side.

“Finn,” short for Finnegan, is a yellow Labrador retriever puppy that Ness is training as a service dog for the Marine

Finnegan, a service dog in training, practices operating a light switch on command. His trainer, Hickam Air Force Base resident Kristen Ness, volunteers her time training service dogs to help wounded wariors. (U.S. Air Force photo/Oscar A. Hernandez)

Barracks at Marine Corps Base Hawaii, Kaneohe Bay. Hawaii Fi-Do, a non-profit service dog organization, and multiple wounded warrior organizations teamed up to get some dogs trained for injured veterans who may need their service. Ness, one of two dog behavioral specialists on the Island, was eager to volunteer her time to help the partnership.

“Wounded warriors coming home prefer a dog over a cane,” said Ness. “These are young men and women who want to be independent and productive. A service dog can help them achieve this in such ways as opening doors, flipping light switches, fetching desired objects, acting as a focal point to ride out symptoms of post-traumatic stress disorder, and providing much needed love and companionship.”

Susan Luehrs, Hawaii Fi-Do founder and executive director, said her organization is eager to help any wounded servicemember who needs assistance. Whether the request comes from the Army Wounded Warrior Program or even directly from an injured person, Hawaii Fi-Do makes the servicemember their priority.

“The service dog industry has come together to support our wounded warriors,” said Luehrs. “That could mean helping any combat veteran. This is an all-volunteer effort for us. There is no charge for any service dog for our wounded warriors.”

Training service dogs can be an expensive and time-consuming undertaking. Since wounded warriors are given their dogs for free, Luehrs counts on volunteers and donations to keep the program going. People with particular skills like Ness are indispensable. Oddly enough, Ness didn’t always know she wanted to train service dogs. She originally pursued a radiology degree but said she wasn’t happy in her work.

“I still wanted to help people, but I wasn’t sure how,” said Ness. “It came to me as I was watching the show on Animal Planet, ‘Dogs with Jobs.’ I remember the joy on a paralyzed man’s face when he was teamed with a service dog. The freedom it symbolized was amazing.”

Shortly after realizing her new passion, Ness entered a grueling program at Triple Crown Dog Academy in Texas. Upon graduation, she started her own dog training business, usually dealing with the worst behavior problems.

Ness’ expertise with training dogs fell right into line with the mission of Hawaii Fi-Do. According to their fact sheet, Hawaii Fi-Do’s service dogs “learn more than 80 commands, are temperament tested, pass strict health guidelines and must pass the standards of Assistant Dog International before being placed with a well-matched client.”

Soccer, Finnegan and Cowboy (left to right) take a break from training to pose for a photo. Kristen Ness, Hickam Air Force Base resident, is training Finnegan to become a service dog for a barracks of wounded warriors. Ness volunteers her skills with Hawaii Fi-Do, a non-profit organization that is providing service dogs to wounded warriors at no charge. Soccer and Cowboy are Ness family pets that have advanced obedience skills. (Air Force photo/Oscar A. Hernandez)

Finn, Ness’ foster dog, will probably finish his training way ahead of schedule. Ness said a typical service dog takes about two years and $20,000 to train. Finn is only 13 months old, and he is already working on the complicated service skills portion of the program. Once graduated, Finn is scheduled to be a “barracks dog.”

“Finn is really sociable; not a one-person dog,” said Ness. “He will serve, comfort and support and entire barracks of wounded warriors.”

Ness already has another wounded warrior service dog lined up once Finn moves to his new home. She said her family tends to get attached to the foster dogs, but even her 3-year-old son knows when the dogs leave, they are going to help people who really need it.

For more information about Hawaii Fi-Do, go to www.hawaiifido.org. For more information about the Army’s Wounded Warrior Program, go to https://www.aw2.army.mil/index.html.

Source: 2nd Lt. Jason Smith
 15th Airlift Wing Public Affairs