ALMetro360 Magazine

determine which patient will receive a dog?” She replies, “Anyone who needs an animal sends in an application, and of course we receive hundreds of requests. Over a period of three months, we evaluate the request and during that time we make a home visit to see what kind of world the dog will live in. (Among other things we require a fenced backyard.) Most people are not aware that the animal requires a great deal of attention. It must be bathed once a week, must receive daily grooming, must be fed high quality dog food, and must be constantly reminded of its training. That is, given commands, see that they’re obeyed, and that they’re responded to quickly.” Someone points out that she still hasn’t decided who gets the prize. “Because often it’s hard to decide which of the ap- plicants has the greatest need,” she says. “There’s such a hungry market out there, and a canine army would be needed to supply every person who applies.” One final question surfaces before the group has to leave. “You’ve told us how the dog and his handler usually develop a special relationship, a bond that’s wordless but immensely strong. Based on your ex- perience, do you foresee that with artificial intelligence humans will be able to communicate better with an- imals? Maybe develop some kind of verbal or [gestural] language?” McGowin answers without hesitation. “Dogs are so infinitely sensitive to humans, and with that in- credible nose of theirs, nothing the animals do will ever surprise me.” n Find us on Facebook, Instagram and Twitter NOVEMBER 2019 45 S ERVICE D OGS A LABAMA RECENTLY HELD THEIR ANNUAL G RADUATION EVENT . The whole weekend consisted of four days of training, lectures, evaluations, and re-certifications for 31 recipients and their Service Dogs. However, the hidden and one of the most important benefits of the weekend was the fellowship of Military Veterans, families, schools, and judges sharing experiences- hardships and triumphs, struggles and victories, and mostly, all of the new possibilities they can now access! Service Dogs Alabama trainers and mentors lis- tened intently to create new tasks and ways to utilize our trained dogs to help people with dis- abilities and facilities that reach their children in sustainable ways. This year, we introduced the Military Transi- tional Assistance (MTA) Dog for military and first responder families. We expanded our facility dog program to more schools, youth facilities, court- rooms, and State Departments where stress and vicarious PTSD is prevalent. .....................................................................................................................................................................