Embracing a New Family Member
Life has a way of surprising us at every turn, often leading us to unexpected yet fulfilling paths. This was precisely the case when my wife Alicia introduced me to the Canines For Heroes program through her friend Julie at Top Tier K9. What began as a casual conversation quickly transformed into a life-changing decision to welcome a service dog into our family. This journey not only enriched our lives but also taught us invaluable lessons about companionship, training, and the unique bond between humans and their canine partners.
The idea of having a service dog had never crossed my mind until Alicia spoke about it with such enthusiasm after learning more from Julie. Her excitement was contagious, and soon enough, I found myself exploring the benefits that a service dog could bring into our lives. The Canines For Heroes program stood out due to its dedication to training dogs specifically for veterans and first responders who face physical or emotional challenges in their daily routines. As someone who traveled frequently for work and had young children at home, the thought of having an expertly trained companion became increasingly appealing.
Our journey began with thorough research and several conversations with representatives from Canines For Heroes. We learned about their meticulous selection process where each dog’s breeding, training and temperament is evaluated to ensure they are suited for service work: The Foundation Dog. This reassured us that we were making the right choice not just for ourselves but also for the welfare of the dog we would soon welcome into our family. We attended online TopTierK9 training followed by in-person training workshops which equipped us with essential knowledge on how to interact effectively with our service dog.
I love learning and the my military experince has transfered well into a professional role. The learning and training phase was both enlightening and transformative at Top Tier. Not only did it prepare us for handling responsibilities associated with owning a service dog, but it also improved how we managed our existing pet—a feisty miniature teacup pinscher! Each session taught us techniques on positive reinforcement, commands specific to aiding individuals with PTSD, as well as maintaining the health and wellbeing of these intelligent creatures. Witnessing firsthand how these highly skilled dogs respond during drills increased my respect tenfold towards trainers like those at Top Tier K9 who dedicate their lives towards this cause.
Upon meeting Bella—our future furry partner—the connection was instantaneous; she exuded warmth while maintaining poise beyond her age. Her gentle demeanor made integrating her within household dynamics amazingly smooth even. Alicia’s commitment as secondary handler ensurs continuity care for when my trips don’t allow my service dog. Most of all, I have already felt a change in my outlook and perspective.
As I reflect upon this incredible journey with Bella through Canines For Heroes’ remarkable program –facilitated with Top Tier K9’s exceptional guidance , I am filled immense gratitude. Sometimes the best surprises come when we least expect them. Tom