Why Start a "Life Challenged" Dog Club? 

by L.M. Shannon-Chaillet

© 2001

How many dog training clubs hold a 'special" dog competition for people who have been diagnosed with Down Syndrome, cerebral palsy, mental retardation, attention deficit disorder, autism, speech, hearing and emotionally disabled or are paraplegic or legally blind?

How many dog training clubs adapt the training methods or set up agility equipment to meet their disabled members' physical and mental needs?

How many dog training clubs attempt to stimulate and challenge the bodies and the minds of their members into resolving life's little canine problems?                                                                     
And how many dog training classes use obedience and agility judges' completed competition worksheets for evaluating and furthering each members' progress?

I am sure you are aware that there are few dog training classes that attempt to accomplish these goals. Yet even though organizing such a class and competition for disabled people is challenging, it can be, and indeed, has been, accomplished. I have been involved with such a program for several years, and it is because of our success that I am sharing our program outline.

I will not lie and tell you organizing and teaching a dog training class for disabled students is easy. Bringing about a means to an end and climbing prejudicial mountains on behalf of the disabled can be very frustrating at times.

The job requires a strong sense of commitment and a willingness to "go instead where there is no path." It requires good organizational skill and knowledge of canine behavior, anatomy, and veterinary care. It requires training in canine obedience and agility, as well as, knowledge of dog showing and handling.

It also requires an understanding of physical and mental disabilities, a knowledge of developmental stages of human behavior, and a knowledge (or willingness to learn) of the characteristics of many different physical and mental disabilities and the medical care required for each of these disabilities.

Above all, organizing and teaching a dog training class for disabled people requires good public relations and managerial skill. The leader(s) must be willing to delegate responsibility to various people and to honor the manner in which these people choose to do their jobs. The leader(s) must be able to assist with ideas for accomplishing a job, yet be open to suggestions from the people performing the job.

To give you a brief background, our class was formed in 1988 when Patti Dynes son expressed an interest in learning to train his puppy. When Patti searched for a class in which he could participate, she was unable to find a club in her small town of Galien, Michigan, that could accommodate a child with Down's Syndrome. Unfortunately, she was unable to find one club in the entire State of Michigan that could accommodate a child with a disability.

Determined to fill a need that was going unmet, Patti's investigations lead her to the 4-H Club of America. After completing their affiliation requirements, Patti formed the club with the specific purpose of teaching dog training to disabled people. This group is now known as Best Friends 4-H Club, a name chosen by the members themselves.

In the years the club has existed, we at Best Friends 4-H Club have developed methods of canine training that match the needs of our members. Through ongoing experimentation and modifications, we are constantly adding to our knowledge.

In our program, each student is assigned a team instructor with whom he or she will work one-on-one. The team instructor is knowledgeable (or willing to learn) about canine and canine training techniques, and is also knowledgeable (or willing to learn) about the physical or mental disability of the particular student with whom he or she is teamed.

Some students have dogs of their own, but most often their families cannot afford the extra expense and responsibility of caring for a dog. In these cases, a volunteer dog is provided for the student. The student, the dog, and the instructor form a "team of three" and work together throughout the nine week course.

With help from the Berrien County Youth Fair Dog Department in Berrien Springs, Michigan, we at Best Friends 4-H Club have even set up a yearly competition for our members. This gives our students an opportunity to show off their skills in dog handling and to take home trophies of accomplishment.

It is my hope that after reading our website, you, your friends, neighbors and allies, will be encouraged to set up your own 4-H or dog club for the disabled youth of your community. Best Friends 4-H Club has established and polished the guidelines for teaching dog obedience, anatomy good sportsmanship and agility, as well as, competition guidelines in the afore mentioned. All we ask is that you take the 4-H Motto to heart.... "To make the best better."