Bruce

BRUCE - Airedale Assistance Dog

The Clarkes contacted me in the winter of 2001-2002 to talk about purchasing a puppy to assist their 9-year-old, quadriplegic son, Michael. I told them I had never raised an assistance dog, but I have always been interested in using Airedales for therapy work. One of my bitches, "Spice"(Am/Can Ch Bristol Aires Sugar N Spice CD) followed her conformation championship with a Companion Dog (CD) obedience title; a Canine Good Citizen (CGC) certification; Therapy Dog International (TDI) certification; and a Canine Ambassador designation. As it happened Spice had been bred to "Hero" (Am/Can Ch. Bristol Aires Unsung Hero). I thought the expected pups might be good prospects for therapy work, but I did have some concerns about what would happen if the Clarke's chosen pup just didn't work out as an assistance dog for Michael. The Clarkes assured me that they've wanted an Airedale and would keep the dog for their family dog, no matter what.

Spice whelped ten puppies on February 9, 2002. I watched the puppies as they grew with the thought of the perfect puppy for this job. When the pups were 49 days old, a friend and I temperament-tested them all. They all did quite well, but there was one male puppy who stood out from the rest. He wasn't bothered by banging pans, closet doors banging, elevation, or any of the other things you do to test them. In fact, he seemed to enjoy it.

So on April 13, 2002, I drove to Harrisburg, PA. to meet the Clarkes. We placed the puppy in Michael's lap, where he sat licking Michael's face. The puppy was named "Bruce" by Michael, who was able to say RUE.

Almost immediately Bruce started in training with an instructor who came to the house to work with Michael and Bruce. Michael's mother found the instructor through the AKC website. She especially liked this instructor because she didn't tell them they needed to work with a different breed. Mrs. Clarke said, "Some weeks he is better than others. Bruce is doing well, I still have my doubts, because he is "stubborn", then he does something wonderful." They teach Bruce by giving him lots of treats and short sessions. By the time Bruce was six months old he had finished Obedience levels 1 and 2. At about 10 months of age, Bruce had learned to turn a radio on and off for Michael. Sometimes he turns it on/off at the same time. Michael thinks that's funny.

Bruce, now at ten months, goes out in public wearing his “Service In Training" vest, as shown in the picture. He has learned to walk and sit next to Michael's wheelchair. Bruce takes hand signals from Michael, who is able to move one hand, a little. Michael's parents and the instructor are working on more hand signals with Bruce. Bruce alerts to Michael's breathing problems. He is protective of Michael, and if people are too friendly to Michael, Bruce places his body in front of Michael.

Though Bruce's accomplishments at his age are impressive, Michael has also grown and learned with his dog. At first Michael seemed jealous of Bruce. After all, for 9 years Michael was the center of his family's attention, and then Bruce came to share it. But the constant teamwork has created strong bonds. Michael's mother reports that Michael is doing better in school and is moving his hand with more strength.

As for Bruce, he can still be an Airedale puppy. There are times when his response to a command is to say, "I don't understand!" and act like he was never taught it. But best of all, Michael and Bruce are buddies, facing challenges together.