Nikki is a crack up...

NIKKI has had some fun times the last few weeks....here are some of the highlights:

Once again my wonderful coworkers have come up with some awesome activities for NIKKI and the kids. Since it is the Easter season we decided to have an Easter Egg hunt with NIKKI. We read the kids an egg story and then gave them some ideas on where to hide

the egg for NIKKI. We were working on the positional concepts...under, over, besides. The first class went really well. NIKKI obediently found the egg after it was hidden and promptly gave it directly to me without opening it. (We used one of those plastic eggs - just incase you were wondering.) I would give her a treat each time and the kids thought is was great that NIKKI could find the egg! The next class wasn't quite as successful. One of the kids opened the egg and NIKKI got a glimpse at the treat inside. I am not sure if the the egg was not put back completely but from that point on NIKKI decided she would rather the treat inside the egg then the one I gave her for giving the egg to me!! I must admit that I did have a yummy treat in the egg since I assumed she would use her nose to find the egg. She got pretty good at "cracking" the egg! Luckily I don't think the kids saw my panic each time she cracked open the egg...They seemed to enjoy it regardless! I will use the clicker next time!

We had another opportunity to visit a friend's daughter in the hospital. After getting permission to make an extra visit to the hospital and visiting all the other kids on the floor we got to spend about an hour with Ashley. Ashley has been sick for a few weeks and her mom was hoping that NIKKI could help get her mind off of being in the hospital.

I think it worked! NIKKI and Ashley had a wonderful time. Ashley helped NIKKI practice all her tricks...I think she especially liked when NIKKI "said her prayers"! They even played golf! Ashley would hit the ball and NIKKI would chase after it! It was a great set up...NIKKI is a great retriever it! I have included some pictures (and no jokes about my nifty smock I have to wear as a volunteer!) NIKKI was also there when the nurses had to take some vital signs and give Ashley her IV antibiotic. I think just having NIKKI there eased Ashley's anxiety with these not so fun things. The nurses were glad and even asked NIKKI to come back in a few hours when the process had to be repeated! I am sure they would just love to have a dog on the floor at all times for some of the not so fun things they must do to monitor the kids.

We only had one other thing happen that day at the hospital....Candace. For those of you who don't know, Candace is NIKKI's most favorite person in the whole world. Nobody can get NIKKI as excited as Candace. NIKKI and I were on our way out when we started talking to some ladies in the hallway. Just then I hear my name and look up to see Candace coming toward us. Immediately I realized what was about to happen. Candace walked up and NIKKI didn't recognize her at first. For one brief second I thought that maybe we were ok but it was only for one second and NIKKI recognized her! NIKKI escalated from level 0 to level 10! Needless to say we moved on very quickly. It took her several minutes to calm back down! Not sure what it is about Candace but NIKKI just loves her! The only other time she does this is when we have some down time at dog training class. She will start barking! At dog class I can get her back by giving her commands and treating her for correctly following through. I think I will carry with me some high value/really special/not used often treat so that when this occurs I can get NIKKI's attention back on me. Since she is so food motivated I think this should work. I am not sure there is a treat out there that would distract her from Candace though!!

NIKKI gets the next couple week off....we don't have any classes scheduled this week, our visit to the hospital next weekend is postponed and then the following week is spring break. Now that NIKKI knows how to crack open the plastic eggs....I am hoping that she doesn't steal the eggs out of my kid's Easter baskets! Happy Easter everyone!

Enjoy this beautiful spring!

Sharon

Sweet NIKKI

I just wanted to give you a quick update on NIKKI. I am happy to report that she has not had any seizures - that I have seen - since we started her on medication. All the side effects she was experiencing in the beginning have seemed to subside and she is the same old sweet girl that she has always been. She is back to work and doing very well. This past week we visited several classrooms and NIKKI did her usual great job! On Friday, she helped the kids in the preschool count - she did tricks and they counted how many times she could do them.... 5 high fives, 4 turns, 3 speaks, 2 puppy push ups and 1 rollover. Not only did they work on counting but also number recognition. And the coolest thing is - NIKKI is consistently taking commands from the kids! That makes them very happy when she listens to them! (I do have to use a few hand signals every now and then when the kids aren't too clear!) Earlier in the week she helped some special middle schoolers work on verbalizations and matching. And her usual Wednesday job of spending time in Candace's classroom is always fun....especially when Candace's assistant Flossie makes the peanut butter crackers. Today NIKKI visited the kids in the hospital. I have to admit that this still is my favorite thing to do with NIKKI. I don't know what it is but it always makes me so happy to be at the hospital. There wasn't too many kids in the hospital today (which is a good thing!) so NIKKI had an opportunity to brighten the day of a few nurses. Even the nurses can be easily impressed with just a few tricks!! NIKKI is also still going to her weekly advanced obedience class and doing well. We are working on the skills she needs to pass the Canine Good Citizen test this summer. I think at the beginning of this blog I said - just a quick note - but I seem to be rambling on! So to sum it up...I am cautiously optimistic that NIKKI's seizures are under control and that our work together can continue as we have always planned!

Sharon

Update on NIKKI

The last month as been a little tough for NIKKI. I have been reluctant to blog as I have been a little sad about what has been happening. NIKKI started to have seizures in January. I have been around for 3 of them but I don't know if she has been having more when I am not around. The seizures have lasted less than 5 minutes and she has tremors. Her eyes remain open but she seems dazed and cannot move. I have consulted with my vet all along and we finally made the decision after the third one to put her on a low dose of phenobarbital once per day. While phenobarbital is a common treatment for a fairly common problem in dogs, it is the side effects of this drug that could quite possibly impact NIKKI's ability to work. Two of the most common side effects are increase in appetite and increased lethargy. Additionally, her phenobarbital levels will need to be monitored to make sure it doesn't damage her liver. My vet decided to give her half of what he would normally give a dog her size. If she continues to have seizures he will add that additional dose. He said that typical dogs spend much of their day sleeping so that is why the larger dose is ok for them. For NIKKI she needs to be alert and ready to work several days per week. She has now been on the phenobarbital for a little over a week. It takes a week or two to build up in their system. It has definitely caused some of sleepiness and at times I think she has lost her balance. It is sort of like she makes a turn and her back end keeps going! The increased appetite was the one side effect that I most worried about. The vet indicated that some dogs become so hungry that they will steal food off the table! NIKKI is already highly food motivated and to increase this could have huge consequences when working with children! All I can imagine is her grabbing the fruit loops out of some unsuspecting child! But so far she still has her manners and will wait to be told to take the food. We have taken some precautions at home - such as blocking off the cat food - but this doesn't seem to be an issue right now. The vet did say it would take about 2 weeks for NIKKI to acclimate to the medicine and perhaps the side effects will lessen or disappear. I am hopeful that all will be well.

As far as the cause of the seizures...that is not known. We did try to link the seizures but only the first two seizure had a link and the last did not share anything with the first two. The first seizure occurred after facing a smart board in a classroom and the second after facing the computer at home. The third happened in a darken room with no computer. The only other change I have noticed in her over the last few months is a slight increase in separation anxiety. I had attributed this to us working together in our weekly obedience class and on her tricks. Now, in retrospect, I wonder if she has been having these seizures, they frighten her and she wants to be near me. I am just not sure. It is frustrating that finding the root cause is not really a goal. I would rather eliminate whatever is causing the problem than to medicate it!

On the flip side, NIKKI now has a connection to many of the students that she works with. My friend Amy says that NIKKI is a special dog working with some very special kids. Seizures are common in many of the kids I work with. Maybe there is a reason for NIKKI's seizures that has yet to be seen. As for me, this gives me a different understanding of the families and students I work with. Watching NIKKI have a seizure is heart wrenching. I can't imagine what it would be like to watch your child have a seizure.

But I must, must, must end this blog on a happier note! NIKKI did work this week. As you would suspect I am watching NIKKI very closely. I don't know if she is different or if I am watching so closely that I am seeing things that have always been there and I wasn't paying attention!! After the first seizure I switched NIKKI from Fruit Loops to Cheerios. After all, I justified in my mind, I wouldn't give my children all that sugar! (We use a lot of treats when in the classroom.) What I noticed this week was that she really was not excited to do her tricks. I would have to ask her to do something twice and she really wasn't listening to the kids. Of course I immediately attributed this to the seizure medication....but then I had an idea. I did have some apple flavored treats in my pocket. Once I brought these out - there was the old NIKKI! Ears perked up, eyes widened and she was right on with her tricks. I guess the Cheerios have no value to her and quite frankly I can't blame her! Without sugar, Cheerios taste like cardboard. Lesson learned...I must use high value treats with my food motivated dog! Yesterday I let the kids give her the cereal and I gave her a really smelly dog treat and she did great!

I am now optimistic that NIKKI will adjust to the medication and she will be able to continue to work. She really does make a difference with the students and I feel we were really just getting started! I will keep you posted..... : )

Sharon

NIKKI's Magic Leash

NIKKI is rapidly becoming the best physical therapist assistant around! Again today she helped a very reluctant preschooler become more proficient on the playground. The very timid 4 year old does not really care for the playground. Lindsey, her physical therapist, tells me that this little girl typically tries to find every excuse in the book as to why she can’t go on the playground. Today NIKKI was brought in to see if she could coax the 4 year old to do a little more. Lindsey used NIKKI as a motivator, asking the little girl “What do you want to show NIKKI next?” This sweet little girl climbed steps (reciprocally!), ladders and pulled up onto a very high step. Lindsey reported that the improved mobility on the playground that we saw today was not typical. Sliding down the slide was also made easier when NIKKI’s leash is available for holding (instead of a hand). When nothing else works…try the magic leash.

For NIKKI’s next act, she gets the award for the dog with the most patience. We took the NIKKI Gets Dressed activity from last week and dressed NIKKI instead. The educational activity working on concepts such as color, sequencing and the use of augmentative communication devices was a hit. Words can’t describe this activity so let me just post the picture of NIKKI “dressed” and ready to go out to play in the "snow". I know, I know, she looks like she is about to go to the Eiffel Tower instead of out to play in the snow. But she was a good sport and the kids loved it! Au Revoir! Sharon

Thanks for the Golden Retriever Day....

“Thanks for the golden retriever day”…these are the words of Sam as we finished our session today. He is the little guy I wrote about in the blog titled “Golden Trader”. NIKKI and I visited Sam again today to continue work on the playground. Nancy, Sam’s physical therapist, tells me that since NIKKI’s last visit when we worked on the playground Sam has maintained the skills that he demonstrated with NIKKI. Nancy also tells me that when Sam is walking in line with his class his teacher will occasionally remind him to walk like he did when he had NIKKI and her leash. Apparently this little reminder helps him to increase his speed and keep up with the class. On the playground Sam no longer needs to hold on to Nancy or other adult to climb the ladders and slide down the slide. Nancy said that it seems that once he realized that he could do these things with just NIKKI’s leash he started to do more. So today Sam maneuvered the uneven terrain of the playground and the equipment with just a little verbal prompting. He was happy to have NIKKI watch from the bottom of the slide or ladder. Since NIKKI seems to be such a motivator for Sam, Nancy wanted to work on the bus steps again. She wanted Sam to use just one hand on the banister to come down the steps. Since holding the dog and leash are difficult in the tight space, we gave Sam one of NIKKI’s “favorite” treats to hold in his left hand while using the banister with the right. He then could give her the treat when he was off the steps. The top step was the hardest but the last 3 he did really well and with just one hand on the banister. It was really neat to see the improvement that Sam has made on the playground and with walking in line with his class. Perhaps NIKKI gave him just the little confidence he needed to be more independent.

I have to tell you that I work with some really awesome people that totally support what I am doing with NIKKI. Amy is a speech therapist and assistive technology specialist. She has created many of the educational activities that we have been using this school year. She has developed a social story to teach the students in a special education classroom how to approach a dog. She has developed several activities that focus on the educational and speech goals of the students that NIKKI visits that don’t have the need for physical therapy. Today, along with Julie, a speech therapist who is also very supportive of NIKKI, we worked on prepositional concepts – like over, under, beside and inside. Amy read a story about clothing items that we wear in the winter (in the format similar to Brown Bear Brown Bear). The kids hid the Cheerio in/under/beside the clothing item and Julie prompted the students to use an augmentative communication device or their voice to command NIKKI to “find it”. Once NIKKI found the Cheerio, Julie prompted the students to say where NIKKI had found the Cheerio (under the sweater, inside the shoe). It’s a wonderful and fun way to learn those needed concepts.

Another wonderful person that I work with is Amelia. She is a teacher of children with autism. Amelia has developed some really awesome activities for her students and NIKKI. My favorite and one I have used over and over is the Venn diagram. A Venn diagram is two large circles that intersect in the middle and is used as an educational tool to sort items (in this case what humans can do, what dogs can do and what they both can do). Amelia developed card that depicted all of these different things and the kids sort them into the appropriate circle. She even further developed this activity for the Smart Board. Today’s activity focused on winter clothing, colors and where the clothing items belongs on the body….in this case the model of NIKKI. The students listened to a story set to a familiar song. They had to find the colored clothing item and “pin” it on the dog. This activity was awesome.

So today was a “golden retriever day”. Golden because I got to use a cool dog to help kids gain needed skills. Golden because I am so blessed to have the opportunity to work with such wonderful, creative people that truly love the students and their jobs. And golden because we made a lot of kids smile today. Just another golden retriever day.

Sharon

Reflections....

New Years Day. Always a good day for a little reflection….and sleep. It is 6:30am. Only 6 ½ hours ago that glass ball dropped. I am certain NIKKI and Watson (my black lab) were up watching that ball drop too. I guess that ball thing means nothing to them– even when I took them outside late and gave them a small treat/bribe to let me sleep in a little longer. I think it is a conspiracy. Watson – the older dog lays there, often sighing loudly as NIKKI pokes her nose in my face. I know he wants me up as much as she does but he is going to allow her to do the dirty work. So I am awake. Why not blog…..right? And since it is New Years Day, I will reflect on the past year just a bit and declare some resolutions for the New Year.

NIKKI and I became a real team this year. She and I really learned each other. We seem to sense each others needs better. She watches me more intently and I am clued into her cues. In most ways this is wonderful. She and I know each other so well I am confident that we can work in any situation. A trust has been built. But with this, a little separation anxiety has developed. To accommodate this, I plan our visits so that she can be by my side at all times or I take her home.

We have been taking some advanced obedience classes and I really think the information gained through this class has led us to be where we are today. I learned a ton about positive dog training and how to handle NIKKI without yanking a leash and firm commands (my previous method of dog handling!) I also learned how to teach NIKKI some new tricks. Tricks are really good when working with the kid’s….and adults too. It really doesn’t take much to impress people. The kids just think it is cool and most adults are amazed by the obedience….often reflecting on their own dog’s inability to do any of the things that NIKKI can do. My intention for the New Year is to teach NIKKI a few new tricks….like playing dead (a frequent request), balance a treat on her nose (this will be a challenge – NIKKI does not like this!), to find a hidden treat and to put hand signals to her tricks. (I am sure there will be more…it is just too early to think about what else we can learn!)

And I hope to increase our work as a rehabilitative assistance dog. NIKKI has proven to be a motivator for kids during their therapy sessions. I don’t think the research can prove this but it is very obvious that kids work harder when the dog is around. Every speech or physical therapist that I work with tell me how much harder the kids work when NIKKI is around. Dogs certainly have a place in a therapist’s bag of tricks when trying to help kids learn new skills. Kids talk louder and more with NIKKI. Kids walk faster and will try more with NIKKI. Kids can learn things like positional concepts when working with NIKKI. Not so normal kids become the coolest kids in the school when they have NIKKI’s leash. If we make a difference – even a small difference -then it is worth it.

So before I mislead you into thinking NIKKI is the perfect dog….let me tell you about a few of the other things I have learned about NIKKI this year. I have learned that NIKKI loves to stare at rabbits. When there is a rabbit in the yard it is a stare down until I go and chase the rabbit away. NIKKI doesn’t like to go for her daily walk. She prefers to go back to bed when the leash comes out. I insist on these daily walks. Once I find her and get her out there she is a fabulous walking companion. NIKKI likes our cat Sammy. She loves to torment this 13 year-old cat. Sammy is usually tolerant – until the other day when she got a double swat with the clawed paw. NIKKI (and Watson) love to let us know when someone is at the door, walking by the house or if a leaf blows outside. They bark in unison and feed off of one another. Luckily NIKKI knows “quiet” but Watson has yet to master that term….he responds better to the frustrated “shut up!” NIKKI is also highly food motivated. This love for food has gotten her in trouble – twice. Let’s just say that I learned how to induce vomiting this year and I think this new skill will come in handy with NIKKI in the future.

It has been a wonderful year. NIKKI is wonderful dog and through NIKKI I can give of myself. Giving of myself to others is what I believe is my purpose in this life. Stay tuned….I will try hard this year to keep this blog updated with NIKKI’s new tricks and some of the cool things she is doing with the kids. Happy New Year!

Sharon

Golden Trader

Golden Trader

Golden Trader. This is NIKKI’s breed according to Sam, a sweet 2^nd grader that NIKKI visited this week. Sam has a pretty significant medical history that causes some balance problems with gross motor skills. Sam loves NIKKI’s visits and NIKKI loves her visits with Sam. What is different about these visits is that NIKKI and Sam spend time together by walking around the school. NIKKI loves to walk and Sam loves to walk with NIKKI. Sam’s physical therapist tells me that Sam has difficulty walking in line with his class, becomes anxious on steps and curbs and needs assistance when playing on the playground equipment. On our first visit a few weeks ago, Sam held onto NIKKI’s leash and walked down the hall. To me there was nothing unusual about this walk. We walked at NIKKI’s pace and Sam walked happily beside her. When we stopped to ask which way to go, Nancy, Sam’s PT stood shaking her head. Apparently Sam had never walked that fast during their sessions. She had never seen him walk without distraction, in a straight line and at that pace. Nancy suggested that we go outside to try the curbs. Sam and NIKKI happily stepped up and down the curb without hesitation and to the surprise of Nancy. Nancy said he always needs the help of an adult when stepping down and hesitates when stepping up. The same scene occurred on the bus steps….up and down.…no problem. (NIKKI had never been on a school bus!)

This activity went so well we decided to try using NIKKI on another obstacle for Sam – the playground. The playground not only provides the uneven terrain, the variety of steps, the ladders, slides and bridges but lots of kids. Crowds pose another obstacle for Sam. He often stops and hesitates when walking among his peers. We knew that having NIKKI on the playground would draw crowds of inquisitive kids wanting to pet the dog. The session started with Sam walking in line with his class to the playground. Sam happily walked beside NIKKI and, to the surprise of his teacher, kept up with his class. On the playground, NIKKI climbed some of the steps of the playground equipment with him and watched as he slid down the lower slides. Nancy wanted to challenge Sam so we went to the ladder and the larger slide. Sam climbed the ladder under the watchful eye of NIKKI and stepped over to the platform better than he had done before. NIKKI waited at the bottom of the slide. When it became evident that Sam wanted assistance to come down the slide I handed him NIKKI’s leash and NIKKI stood with her front paws on the slide waiting for Sam. Sam slid down by himself for the first time! Nancy says he only will slide down the slide with 2 hands held. He repeated the ladder and slide several times – which is also unusual for Sam. Nancy said once is typically enough. We also walked around the playground, stepping up 6 – 12 inch steps with just a leash and close supervision. Nancy and Sam’s teacher were excited by what Sam and NIKKI did on the playground. NIKKI is his motivator to try new things and for some reason gives him confidence he did not have without her. After recess NIKKI walked Sam to his class. NIKKI gives him the confidence to walk among his peers easily and without stopping. Once we got back to his classroom, Sam leaned over, hugged NIKKI and told her “Happy holidays NIKKI.” Sweet Sam has melted my heart. Witnessing his success is a wonderful feeling. I hope that NIKKI gives Sam as much as Sam gives me. I don’t care what the AKC calls NIKKI, to me she will always be a “Golden Trader”.

Hugs to all of you and Happy Holidays!

Sharon