by Jacques Von Lunen , Special to The Oregonian

Saturday May 30, 2009, 7:22 PM

About 100 dogs from a puppy mill in Washington arrived at the Oregon Humane Society today.

These miniature American Eskimo dogs are part of the 371 dogs seized Wednesday at a Kennewick, Wash., puppy mill owned by Ella Stewart, 66. Benton County sheriff’s officials and local animal rescue volunteers seized the dogs from Stewart’s home and housed them at the Benton County fairgrounds.

OHS was contacted by representatives of the Humane Society of the United States and offered to take 100 of the dogs.

Three vans left Portland this morning to pick up the dogs. Temperatures were high today in Kennewick, about 93 degrees, so the team tried to get the dogs to the Portland shelter as quickly as possible. OHS animal care manager Autumn White was on site and said that about half the dogs are in bad shape with urine burns and coats matted with fecal matter. OHS had volunteer groomers on standby for Sunday and Monday to help these animals.

– Jacques Von Lunen; pets@jvonlunen.com

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As a nation, we claim to love cats and dogs. Millions of households have pets, and billions of dollars are spent yearly on pet supplies and food. But as a nation, we should take a hard, sobering look at a different annual statistic: the millions of dogs and cats given up to shelters or left to die on the streets. And the numbers tell only half the story.

Every cat or dog who dies as a result of pet overpopulation—whether humanely in a shelter or by injury, disease, or neglect—is an animal who, more often than not, would have made a wonderful companion, if given the chance. Tremendous as the problem of pet overpopulation is, it can be solved if each of us takes just one small step, starting with not allowing our animals to breed. Here’s information about this crisis and why spaying and neutering is the first step to a solution.

Visit http://www.brightlion.com/ for more information.

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Dogs have assisted humans as companions throughout history. The blind were the first to benefit from the special training of canines.  In the November 5, 1927 issue of The Saturday Evening Post Dorothy Harrison Eustis authored an article, ‘The Seeing Eye’. She wrote it after visiting a formal dog guide program for the blind in Potsdam, Germany. Eustis was impressed with the concept of guide dogs and because of her efforts formal guide dog training began in America.
 
Now the deaf population benefits from four footed furry creatures as well as people with physical disabilities like spinal cord injuries/pathologies and neurological disabilities. This now includes autism and individuals who suffer from all aspects of the autism spectrum.
 
First identified by Dr. Leo Kanner in 1943, autism is a neurological brain disorder that begins in early childhood, typically within the first three years of life, and persists throughout adulthood. Autism exhibits deficiencies in verbal and non-verbal communications and social interactions because the parts of the brain
affected are language, social interaction, and creative and abstract thinking.  Pervasive Developmental Disorder (PDD) is an umbrella term and includes Autistic Disorder, Asperser’s Disorder, Retts Disorder and Childhood Disintegrative Disorder.
 
As with all human beings, autistic individuals have their own distinct personalities but children with autism can learn and function productively with appropriate education and treatment. People with autism process and respond to information in unique ways. For instance, they might monologue on a favorite subject in spite of efforts by others to interject comments.
 
Service dogs for autism assist children in different ways.   Often the presence of a trained autism service dog has a calming effect allowing for better social skills and communication to develop. They provide a sense of security so abstract and concrete thinking can improve. Emotional outbursts occur less often and attention span increases. The main role of an autism service dog is increasing independence and autonomy for the individual.
 
Renee Premaza (a.k.a. The Jersey Dog Trainer) is a Certified Canine Behavioral Theorist.   She has volunteered her time as the trainer for the Animal Adoption Center in Lindenwold, NJ and has spoken to the volunteers at the Camden County Animal Shelter and the Cumberland County SPCA animal shelter about how to clicker train their dogs in order to successfully adopt them out to their forever homes.  She also provides dog training classes. To find out more information on the classes take a look at her web site. 
 
In 2004, Premaza was invited by Patty Dobbs Gross to train puppies in the New Jersey area for the NorthStar Foundation. NorthStar breeds Golden Retrievers as service dogs primarily for children who are autistic.  Premaza wrote chapter 16, "Puppies 101" in a book titled "The Golden Bridge."
 
There are numerous organizations which provide training for service dogs.  The Autism Service Dogs of America (ASDA) located in Oregon is a non-profit, community based organization that provides uniquely trained service dogs to children living with autism and their families.
 
NorthStar is based in Connecticut and has been training dogs to work with autistic individuals for the past ten years.  Many shelter dogs are rescued to become autism service dogs.
 
 

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Second Chance is an innovative shelter that works hard to get at the root of animal suffering. We are a no-kill shelter, we do not euthanize for space. We use both our physical shelter as well as foster homes to provide the best possible care for pets.

We provide a comprehensive after adoption package that makes the adoption of a new companion a llifelong enjoyment. We are run by a mostly volunteer base with only a small staff. This ensures that every dollar possible goes directly to the pets. Second Chance has extensive low cost and free spay/neuter programs that provides assistance to needy pets to get pet overpopulation under control.

Our programs are making a difference! Our educational outreach program helps schools and youth groups learn proper pet care, pet safety, and the importance of spay/neuter.

We are in desperate need of a makeover so that we can take in more pets and provide the best environment possible to support our many programs. We appreciate all your help! OUR MISSION TO provide temporary shelter to stray, abandoned, and surrendered animals for the purpose of finding permanent suitable new homes.

TO provide assistance and information to others whose purposes are consistent with the purpose of Second Chance Animal Shelter, Inc. TO provide assistance and financial aid to prevent overpopulation through spaying and neutering programs.

More… What sets our shelter apart is that we take the time with every pet to find the right home and create happy endings. One of our stories even won the 2007 Pedigree Best Rescue Story. There are stories every day that touch our hearts. Below is one of them:

The Rescue of Dante and Blackie This is a story of trauma and suffering for two little Yorkiepoo’s that came into this world 4 years ago as wide-eyed pups. Filled with the energy and love, they hoped to begin a life of fun and love. Instead, they suffered through years of neglect and deprivation. No romping, no playing, no fun with other dogs or humans. Their neglect mounted day after day to the point they were nearly motionless under the weight of years of matted fur and other unspeakable things. They were basically unable to walk, go outside to pee or poop, and certainly not able to enjoy the company of each other. We are not really sure how they were even able to eat or drink. They continued to exist only because their little hearts kept beating.

Two courageous young men, who become aware of what these unfortunate animals had endured, finally came to their aid. When they carried them into the shelter and laid them on the floor, we could not identify what they were or where their heads were. It took several minutes of probing the years of matting and other unmentionable debris before we could find their nose, mouth and eyes. We checked for signs of life. It was clear that this was an emergency situation. Within minutes, they were rushed to the vets.

After hours of work, 27 pounds of weight was removed from their little frames. Some with shears, some with a scalpel. Legs freed, eyes now able to see, ears able to hear and noses ready to smell the world, they were finally free. Scared and trembling they began to experience the world.

Surrounded by loving, caring, and in most cases teary-eyed humans, they were now able to stand and even take some wobbly steps. They were placed in a foster home to begin their journey back to being happy healthy trusting dogs ready for adoption. Below is one of the many emails that we received from their adoptive families.

The Happy Ending: Hi Second Chance, Haven’t written in a while because I’ve been so busy protecting Mommy and keeping her happy. I have to check out everyone who walks by or comes into our house and announce them very loudly, but then I go lie down at Mommy’s feet to see that she’s safe. That keeps me very busy.

I have found two things that I just don’t like: one is something called "thunder"-I have found a puff that Mommy keeps near her bed in case she gets cool at night that I curl up in until the noise goes away. Boy, I really shake when that’s going on! The other is something called "fireworks". They’re not quite as bad as thunder, but I don’t like them, either.

I’m getting awfully smart..I’ve figured out that when Mommy puts those braces on, that means she’s going out and leaving me alone. So, yesterday when she was getting ready for church, I emptied her pocketbook all over the floor! Yup, keys, makeup, everything! I don’t think she was very happy, but it kept her home a little longer. Now she keeps it zipped so I can’t pull that trick again. It was almost as much fun as emptying her waste basket! But, she keeps that empty now, too, so will have to find something else to keep me busy. Maybe I should try some of the toys she keeps on my blanket. I don’t know what to do with them, but maybe someday…

Hugs,Dante To see the full story and others, go to our website : http://www.secondchanceanimals.org/ Information provided by the owner

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