by Sioux Dallas
“Hillary, you have a big job ahead of you, but you’re going to love every minute of it.” Tim stated.
“Her name is Joy, and she’s sure living up to her name.”
“Hey, gang. Good news.” Tom said. “I, or rather, we” he bowed to Tim, “talked to Jake and John about Alex. They were willing if Alex and his parents would come to the school and talk to them. A doctor would have to submit the required medical forms and Alex would require detailed training. If everything went well, he could graduate with his own companion dog.”
Hillary’s mother had come into the room and heard the news. “Tell me about the training for these dogs. Will we need to do any of that with this dog?” The twins told her about the process from puppy handlers to school training to bonding with a chosen person.
“The volunteer who takes the puppy home for training, teaches the dog not to beg at the table, to walk willingly and quietly as well as being alert beside their person. They do all the basic training such as sit, stay, lie down, come and so on. The volunteer will take them in cars where they’ll be exposed to various noises such as kids on skates and sirens. The dog will learn to go on elevators, escalators, revolving doors and through crowds of people as well as ignoring other animals. They go into restaurants, movies and anywhere a person might want to take them. Hillary, don’t you have a cape for Joy so that people will know she’s in training?”
“I sure do.” She jumped up and ran out of the room returning with a small, red blanket with gold letters reading, “Guide dog in training.”
“That’s cute,” Trina said fastening the blanket around Joy.
“Then what happens?” Mrs. Coramex asked.
“It’s also important that the dog gets lots of time to run and play. They need to be bathed and brushed and have regular check-ups.”
“What comes under specialized training?” Mrs. Coramex was interested.
“How to pull a wheelchair, open doors, guide the person across a street, alert the person to any danger, turn on lights, pick up dropped items, pick up a ringing phone and give it to their person. Too, if a person falls, the dogs needs to stand quietly and allow the person to brace on their back to get up.”
“Are they also trained to be a guard dog?”
“Not specifically. However, as the dog bonds with the person, I’m sure they would guard.”
“Is that why Hope and Millie are at the school now?” Trina asked.
“Sure. Hope won’t need a lot of training because we have given her a lot. When she’s ready you’ll have to go stay at the school and live with her so you can get final training together.”
The following week Hillary answered the phone to hear an excited Trina. “I’m so excited, I’m not sure I even know who I am.”
“Tell me, quickly. You’re killing me with the suspense,” Hillary laughed.
“We heard from Canine Wonders and I’m to go in and live for the final training. I don’t have to attend as long as others do because my case is different.”
“Hurray! I’m so happy for you. When do you leave?”
“I’m not sure. My parents have to talk to Mr. Grissom and make plans for me to have my school work.”
“He’s a great guy. He’ll work with you. Everyone will be so happy for you.”
Later Trina told the twins that she felt blessed to have friends like them. “I can’t thank you enough. I’m going to succeed and I’ll need strong support from all my friends.”
“You’ll have all of us,” Herb told her. “You’re the important one now. Don’t forget. It’s possible you’ll outgrow the seizures or a medication can be found that will help completely. Keep strong in heart. Always remember, God is in control.”
Trina, come here, please.” Mr. Grissom called to her. “I talked to our teachers and they’re all eager to help. You’re an excellent student and it should be no trouble for you to take studies with you. When you return, you may have to take a test in some classes.”
“That’s okay. I’ll do whatever is required. Thank you so much. I’ll thank the teachers later.”
On Friday Trina went to the office and got a folder of assignments. Four boys and six girls took her to a pizza place for a get-together. “This is not good bye. It’s good luck and hurry back,” Mark raised his soft drink to toast.
“We’ll probably see you tomorrow at Canine Wonders,” Tom smiled.
Tim placed an arm across the back of her chair. “We might not be allowed to visit with you while you’re in training, but just know we’re nearby and will do what we can for you.”
Hillary was delighted when John led Millie in. “Millie, my baby, you’ve learned so much. You’re not running around like a crazy dog.”
‘She’s a real lady. She was just young and had not been trained,” John smiled. “She still likes to run around and play, especially with the puppies, but she’s learned when to play and when to work. While we were out on a trail she walked sedately on a leash. She even looked both ways before crossing a street, and acted like the cats, on the steps of a house, were not even there.”
John turned to the twins. “Hope is a real gem. She is a little older and settled, and you have trained her beautifully. I can hardly believe how quickly she picked up what she’s to do. She seems to read my mind.”
The days rolled by and Trina was released to take Hope home with her. John gave Trina a last ‘look-over’. “You and Hope make a great team. Don’t ever be too proud, or embarrassed, to listen when she warns you. If you’re walking on Main Street, in a large crowd, and she pushes in front of you, sit down and lean against a building. If you have a chance to go into a store, don’t be ashamed to explain your situation and ask to sit down. Business people are used to seeing our dogs and will understand.”
“I’ll remember everything, I promise. I won’t let pride get in my way.”
Herb had investigated and found a school for training miniature horses to be service animals. Early one Saturday, he took his family to visit the farm.
The owners, Gerald and Phylis Warwick, couldn’t have been nicer. David had to be held down because he thought they were just the right size for him to ride. Gerald did kindly place David on the back of one of his regular-sized horses and lead him around. He explained that the little horses were not for riding, only for taking care of people.
“Can I have one, Dad? Oh, I would love to have one,” David jumped around.
The twins reminded him that they had the dogs, and the horse would require a much bigger yard as well as being a lot of work. Furthermore the tiny horses could not hold the weight on their backs.
“When you get bigger, we’ll find a horse school and see about riding lessons for you, if you’re still interested,” Herb promised.
The family told Gerald and Phylis about the dog training business. The couple had heard about it, but didn’t know much. The twins were delighted when a blind man visited with his little gelding, named Napoleon. They appreciated the opportunity to ask how he felt about having a horse instead of a dog. He told them of the daily care needed.
The children reluctantly left, wishing they lived closer so they could be involved. Herb left a generous donation and asked for bulletins that he could share with others. They loved the pictures of the little fellows in cute sneakers. The sneakers are provided by Sabre Sneakers and by Supreme Equine Designs.
“Anna would have loved this,” Tom said. “Maybe this summer she can come with us and see for herself.”
“Can I come, too?” David demanded.
“May I come? Tim corrected him.
“Sure you can come, too.”
Chapter Forty-One
Mr. Grissom walked to the microphone. “Good morning, students. I trust everyone had a great weekend and now you’re raring to go.” He laughed at the moans and boos. “I want to introduce someone to you and tell you about her. Come, Hope.”
There was a loud gasp as the large dog trotted obediently to Mr. Grissom. “Trina, you come, too.” He clapped his hand
s. “Come, Trina.” Laughter.
Mr. Grissom explained why Trina would have Hope with her in classes. “This is a working dog and you must be careful not to interfere with her working relationship with Trina. When you see her stand in front of Trina and lean against her, or if she puts her head on Trina’s lap when she’s seated, you’ll know the dog senses a seizure. Trina must put on her helmet and sit down on the floor.”
“Why does she have to sit on the floor?” Sharon Peterson asked.
“So she’ll be down and won’t fall down and hurt herself, stupid,” Roger Watkins answered with a sneer.
“Hey, none of that. It isn’t nice to call someone a name that will hurt them. Sharon has probably not heard of service dogs. Or maybe she hasn’t met Trina and is not aware of her illness.”
“Sorry, Chief,” Roger said cockily, but Mr. Grissom ignored him,
“Just remember,” Mr. Grissom continued. “Any of you could have had an accident that left you with the same problem Trina has. Thank your lucky stars and try to be understanding and helpful.”
“How does the dog help you, Trina?” Boyd Mullins asked.
Trina looked at Mr. Grissom and he nodded. She stepped to the microphone with Hope beside her. “Two nights ago Hope woke me by jumping on my bed, whining and licking my face. I was able to get out of bed and lie on the floor before the seizure started. If I had stayed on the bed, I might have fallen off and been hurt or broke bones. This beautiful, sweet animal has more common sense than a lot of people I know. I can never thank Tom and Tim Jackson enough for loaning me their dog.”
Several students whipped around to look at the twins. “Man, that’s your dog? Why are you loaning her to Trina? She’s intelligent and can help people.” Jordon Kirk exclaimed.
Tom stood and spoke loudly so he could be heard around the auditorium. “That’s why we’re loaning her to Trina. She is intelligent and is helping Trina.”
Hope, hearing Tom’s familiar voice, looked out at him and wagged her tail, but she stayed where she had been trained to stay.
“How long did it take to train her?” Marcie Ditmar asked.
“An animal can not be trained to smell chemical changes or sense changes. That’s why these dogs are so rare. They are born with the skill and we just enlarge it with training. Hope had the same basic training that any dog has. Her basic instinct is fine-tuned to sense something that’s going to happen and take care of the person. No one has been able to fully explain it.” Mr. Grissom told them.
“Will she lead a blind person?” Greg Faulkner asked.
“If she were trained to do so. Dogs are carefully chosen to do what they show an inborn sense to do. They can lead the blind, help a deaf person, pull a wheelchair and be a companion and many areas of skill.”
“Do all the dogs, uh, I mean are they all successful and good for the job?” Sheila Tritt asked.
“No. Very few fail,” Tim explained. “If they do, they’re trained to do something else. Some go to the police for specialized work or to guard a business. A rare few turn out to be just good family pets.”
“Sorry, but that’s all the time we have,” Mr. Grissom interrupted. “Thank you all for being so attentive and remember, don’t pet the dog unless Trina says you can. She is working and can not be distracted.”
That afternoon in Algebra class, Mr. Orr happened to see Hope place her head on Trina’s lap. “Trina, get your helmet on and get on the floor.” Trina quickly followed orders and sat with her back against the wall. Hope stood across Trina’s legs and leaned gently against her chest. The seizure was not as severe as some had been. Trina soon focused her eyes and was embarrassed, but her classmates cheered and told Hope what a good dog she was.
Ted Groden went to Trina and reached down to help her up. Hope growled at him and refused to let Trina get up. “Thank you, Ted, but I’ll get up as soon as my legs don’t feel like wet spaghetti,” she laughed. The class laughed with her. She used Hope’s back to pull herself up.
“Let’s get the show on the road,” Mr. Orr called for their attention. “This is the first time you’ve seen this happen. From now on I don’t expect any interruptions in class. Just go about your business and let Trina go about hers. Trina, don’t be embarrassed. You can’t help what has happened to you. Just be thankful for that great dog.”
A few nights later Tom answered the phone and gave a yell when he heard the message. As Tim ran in and asked what was happening, Tom waved his hand in the air for silence. “Thanks for calling, Jim and I am going to beat you so bad.”
“What? What?” Tim was impatient as Tom hung up.
“What’s all the racket about?” Herb and Irene came into the room.
“That was Jimmy. His uncle, the state policeman, is going to give us a driving test this weekend. Tom danced around with David and Chuckles being so excited they were under foot.
“I am now so ready for my license,” Tim agreed. “I haven’t been interested, but we’re going to college soon and I’ll want to drive.”
“Okay boys, here’s the deal.” Jimmy’s uncle, Sergeant Earl Dodd, told them. “Corporal Thurbow, down there, is going to help us. We have an imaginary street laid out with deep curves, dead ends and all kinds of obstacles. You’ll drive through the course. Be alert for Cpl. Thurbow to change what is there. You’ll have to make an instant decision. After you’ve finished, you’ll pull beside the cones and do parallel parking. Any questions? No. then who is first?”
Tim and Tom, Dan Baxter, James Horn and Jimmy Dodd looked at each other and each one stepped back. They jerked around at someone laughing out loud at them. Alex sat in a wheelchair. “Hey, guys. We’ve all mouthed off for weeks. I put myself here and can’t do what I dreamed of doing, but all of you can. Now get to it.”
“Alex, there are specially built, but very expensive, cars built for the handicapped. You might not do exactly what you would like, but you’ll be surprised at what you can do with a little effort,” Anna stepped behind him and put her hands on the chair. “Let’s you and I wait over here and let these chickens do their stuff.” Anna was a pleasant surprise to the twins.
“Okay,” Tom gulped. “I’ll go first.”
Sgt. Dodd watched as Tom got in the car, clicked the seatbelt, checked all mirrors and the position of his seat. Dodd wrote on his clipboard.
“Wait,” Tom called. “You didn’t tell us at what speed we’re to drive.”
Sgt. Dodd smiled. “There are signs at various points. However, at all times, use your common sense. The road conditions may be such that a driver cannot safely drive the posted speed limit.”
Tom looked behind him to make sure it was safe for him to pull out. He turned on the signal light to show he was moving out in that direction. As he came around a curve, Cpl. Thurbow kicked some cones in front of him to represent a child running out or an obstruction of some sort. Later he piled things up to represent a wreck. Tom reacted quickly and safely. Cpl. Hooked up a fireman’s powerful water hose and suddenly turned in on the windshield to represent a storm. Tom finished the course and pulled up to park. He looked to make sure it was safe to back. He suddenly braked and looked around.
“Something wrong?” Sgt. Dodd called out.
“Yes, sir. I was looking in my right side mirror and saw a cat run behind me. I didn’t want to hit it.”
Everyone looked to see a big yellow tom cat strolling across the field. Tom finished backing in smoothly and correctly. Sgt. Wrote on his pad and then called for the next driver.
The others took their turn with Cpl. Thurbow pulling different kind of surprises and testing them.
“Gather around, fellows. As soon as I confer with Cpl. Thurbow, I’ll tell you the scores.” the boys stood nervously beside Alex’s chair and talked.
“I wanted to be with y’all so badly,” Alex moaned. “I bet I’d uh done the best. Face it. I brought this on myself. In a childish way, I guess I was trying to get at my parents for not being like yours.” He looked at the twins.
“I used to be so jealous that you could talk to your parents about anything and that they were always there for you. They might punish you for something, but they loved you and proved they cared.”
“Believe me, Alex. We do understand.” Tim put a hand on Alex’s shoulder. “I’m sorry that everyone in the world doesn’t have parents like ours.”
“Hey, pal.” Tom knelt down in front of Alex. “You said you wanted a different crowd to buddy with, why don’t you attend our Youth Bible Training with us? You won’t find anyone there that’s trying to get you into trouble.”
“I don’t know,” Alex said slowly. “I’ve never been in church.”
“You’re never too old or too late,” Tom grinned.
Anna put an arm across Alex’s shoulders. “I am so proud of you for taking the blame for your own decisions. It’s a rotten shame that you had to pay the price like this, but who knows? In the meantime, talk to younger children, and your peers, and tell them what can happen. Some youngster might need a nice big brother like you, and you can help in many ways.”
“Okay, gang, this is it.” Sgt. Dodd and Cpl Thurbow walked to the group. “Tom, since you were first, we’ll start with you. You didn’t have a chance to observe what others were doing, so you did extra well. I was impressed that you checked everything carefully before starting. Even though you had a 45 speed limit at one point, you slowed to make the curve. You checked all three mirrors before you backed and saw the cat. It could have been a child that ran out or an elderly person moving slowly. If you do as well on the written test, you’ll make a top score.”
“Jason, I realize you were nervous, but never get behind the wheel of a car unless you feel alert and good about yourself. You didn’t check mirrors or anything before you started. When the ‘child’ ran in front of you bouncing a ball, you did stop in time, but you braked so hard, you turned sideways in traffic. All in all you’re not doing badly, but you need more practice.”
“Tim, I thought I was watching Tom again. Whoever taught you two did a superb job.” Tim hugged Anna and grinned.