Russian Time Magazine

Irina Green | Volunteer Puppy Raiser

INTERESTING FACTS ABOUT VARIOUS JOBS


There are more than 50,000 professions in the world. Find out interesting facts about different trades as people share curious random facts about their jobs.


Featured Guest: Irina Green

Occupation: Electrical Engineer

Hobby: Breeding, Raising & Training Assistance Dogs for People with Disabilities. (all disabilities rather than blind) for the organization Canine Companions for Independence (CCI)
How did your hobby of training service dogs begin?

Many years ago, I had a friend of a friend who was raising and training assistance dogs for Canine Companions for Independence (CCI). I asked him to become service dogs for people with disabilities, some became service dogs, and some are still in training.

Can all dogs be trained to help people with disabilities?

I don’t think that you can train any dog too much space

What are the main skills should be trained dog that will help people with disabilities?

First, the dog has to do depends on her future owner’s needs.

Is it hard to the dog that you raised and trained?

We have each dog approximately for a year and a half, and this dog is always with us. The dog who I train, goes to help others and enhances their lives.
How has your hobby changed you?

I would say that it not only taught me how to be alive and healthy when there are many others who cannot walk, or talk, or hear, or who live in constant pain.

Are there dangerous dog breeds or is it a myth?

I am not an expert here, but I believe that there are no bad dogs, only bad owners.

What is the need for specially trained dogs?

I can tell that the demand for service dogs for people with disabilities is very high, and there is definitely not enough specially trained dogs. People wait for the dogs whom we raise and train for at least two years, some even longer. Many applications for service dogs are denied because there are not enough dogs. Therefore, we need more volunteers who would do what I am doing: raise puppies and train them, and also participate in taking care of the breeder-dogs and newborn puppies.

What would you like to change in the field where you are volunteering?

We need more volunteers and more professional service dog trainers. To be a professional dog trainer is a very skilled and difficult task; those who do such work are highly educated and very talented. At the same time, their pay is low, and because of that, not many people want to $50,000, none of the dog recipients are ever charged even a penny. Thus, the organization needs more money and more donors so that they could have more dog trainers and more service dogs

The most touching moment in your practice?

I think that the most to their new life, with the wagging tail, and doesn’t even look back at you.
INSIDER