"HOW DID PATRIOT GET HIS NAME"

"What's In A Name"

Many times I've been ask how Patriot got his name....was he named for the Boston Patriots football team, is usually the first question I'm ask. 
No...I tell them, Patriot was named for a returning Iraqi war veteran, a real live hero...a Patriot!  

Michael Jernigan & his guide dog Brittani

 Michael's mother named Patriot in honor of her son.  

 

Patriot and I had the pleasure of meeting Michael this past year, when he was the guest speaker for The Villages Walkathon Kick Off event. What a motivational speaker he is!!!

 

"Our first meeting"

 

"Patriot"





 



 

"PATRIOT ...PLAYS SHOW AND TELL"

 

Patriot is enjoying his career change from a working Guide Dog to an Ambassador Dog for Southeastern Guide Dogs.  He plays the "Show & Tell Dog" at the Presentations for Southeastern Guide Dogs, he is definitely the best visual aid I have! 

Patriot has perfected the art of schmoozing!!!

 Handsome As Ever

As you can see he is healthy and  thriving and such a good boy! 

 

 Patriot will occasionally attend the Tri-County Puppy Raisers obedience class, he loves playing "catch me if you can" with the puppies in training   :)

More adventures to come! 

 

 



"MEMORIAL DAY"

 Patriot 1Z10 an Ambassador Dog for Southeastern Guide Dogs, attended Memorial Day Services in The Villages, while wearing his patriotic red, white and blue collar, in honor of those who gave their all.

"OUT OF RETIREMENT"

Ambassador Dog Patriot

 

After being medically cleared, Patriot officially came out of retirement and began working (part-time) for his favorite organization "Southeastern Guide Dogs"  On March 13, Jen Gerrity Trainer for Southeastern, evaluated and administered the CGC (AKC"s Canine Good Citizen) test. Patriot passed first time around.."Good Dog"

In his first official outing, Patriot represented Southeastern Guide Dogs at The Book Worms Book Club meeting, there were 95 members in attendance. Patriot loved all of the attention, he did well in a crowd and was not bothered by the applause. I must say he looked handsome in his Ambassador coat, in fact I saw him prancing a couple time!

I think he likes this part-time job!



PATRIOT - "RFF"

Patriot 1Z10 returned "RFF" Returned From Field to Southeastern Guide Dogs due to a medical issue.  After treatment, Patriot being the smart dog that he is, decided he was ready for retirement from guide dog work.

 

Where you ask would a guide dog retire to? A retirement community of course!  What better one than "The Villages" Florida....well known for its retirees and their love of dogs.

 

 

Patriot has been welcomed with open arms, especially by his family, also now known as his "Forever Home."  After a few weeks of R&R his status may be changed to semi-retired...if he so chooses!

 

Welcome home Patriot!

 

"PATRIOT'S 2nd BIRTHDAY"

Monday, October 29th is Patriot's

2nd Birthday

Happy Birthday..Big Boy!!!

 

"GUIDE DOG PARODY"

Congratulations Graduating Class #213

JoAnn & guide Hal, Trainer Jonathan, Tracey & guide Rod, Linda & guide Travis, Trainer Karen, Ted & guide Patriot, David & guide Clancy, Trainer Alice, Michael & guide Addy, Dee & guide Suzy, Trainer Chrissy, and Lee & guide J.P.

 

Watch the Graduating Class on Youtube...It is awesome! It's performed by the trainers, starring Class #213 

 

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qr0-WVmyX9E&sns=em



"PATRIOT'S GRADUATION"

 

 I started this blog so Patriot's "Forever Person"would know all about his life, places that he's been, and things that he's done. I've decided to retire this blog and leave it strictly as Patriot's blog!  

We brought Patriot home

 when he was 9 weeks old. 

 

We returned Patriot back to the

school when he was 15 months old.

 

On Saturday, September 15th we were invited back for "Puppy Raiser's Day at Southeastern Guide Dogs campus in Palmetto, Florida.  .... our sweet boy is graduating as a Guide Dog in the Class#213, Aug/Sept 2012

 

We were introduced to Patriot's "Forever Person" Ted McDaniels of Atlanta, Georgia.  It was a wonderful experience watching as Patriot led Ted along "Freedoms Walk"...We were able to spend time with both of them, and truly were overjoyed with the two of them being matched!

 

Ted &Patriot

 

What a great team they make, we knew when we left the campus that day.......that we would meet again!

Our family just got bigger :)



 

Congratulations and enjoy your new life together!!!

"HIS MIDDLE NAME IS HAPPY"

Patriot is now in his final polishing stage at Southeastern Guide Dogs, and Oh how he shines :)  He is now waiting for the match with his "Forever Person."

Patriot's latest training report:

Patriot is such a happy dog.  While some dogs seem to take a while to bond, Patriot seems overjoyed to accept love from anyone at anytime. His work is impressive, although other dogs do sometime distract him from the task at hand (in a happy excited way) I have really enjoyed getting to know him this past month.

Patriot's trainer is so right, he is a happy dog, he even wags his tail while sleeping!  In his latest training report, the trainer says:

"he's overjoyed to receive love from anyone," this is true! He also is overjoyed to give love to anyone.

  Patriot exudes love!

What a wonderful companion he'll be to his "Forever Person."

"AN AWESOME DOG'

Patriots latest IFT report

COMMENTS from his trainer:

Patriot is always ready to go to work.  He is getting better with his aversion to underfootings and will work over them now.  He knows his job and aims to please.  We went to Tampa this month and he was excellent, although he decided he'd been serious long enough and got the "sillies" when we stopped to rest!

 "Patriot working in Tampa"

I wonder if the "sillies" that the trainer is referring to are equivalent to his "butt tucking routine" he performed to the delight of family and friends....It sounds like he's close to being matched, someone's  going to receive "AN AWESOME DOG"

"We miss that sweet boy"

It's been 4 months since we returned Patriot back to Southeastern Guide Dogs for his formal training.  We cannot express our gratitude to Southeastern Guide Dogs for all of the updates and photos of Patriot.  They have been there the whole way to anwser our questions and guide us through the process.   Can you tell, that we are first time raisers? :) 

"Patriot 1Z10".....So Regal!

"Patriot 1Z10" formal harness photo

Patriot's latest trainers evaluation:

 Patriot still does not like walking through puddles...in otherwords, he's a puddle jumper ...

TRAINER COMMENTS: Patriot is a happy, sweet dog.  We are still  working on our underfooting issues as well as concern over puddles, but we are having fun freelancing and exploring new territory.  He is doing a great job and we are having lots of fun getting new places together.   "I love this trainer!"

Patriot 1Z10 has his own brick in Southeastern Guide Dogs Freedom Courtyard.

We thought it only appropriate to honor him for his upcoming service in guiding his "Forever Person" along Freedom Courtyard, and then as a team along lifes path.

"What an Awesome Dog!"

















'PATRIOT ASKS FOR YOUR HELP"

Southeastern Guide Dogs Inc. relies 100% on private donations, receives no government funding and doesn't charge their students a dime for their services!  Along with "Patriot" we ask that you PLEASE help us support this great cause by going to:

http://www.sitstaygive.org/patriot

or by donating directly by mail, in Patriots name to:

Southeastern Guide Dogs
Walkathon Fundraiser/Patriot

4210 77th Street East

Palmetto, FL  34221

Patriot thanks you for supporting his cause!!

"PATRIOT UPDATE"

On December 10, 2011 we returned Patriot to the Southeastern Guide Dogs Inc. school for his formal harness training.

The IFT program that the school had for the Puppy Raisers was wonderful, the speakers were informative and it made the transition of leaving Patriot with them much easier. 

I am impressed with the continued contact from the school, giving us updates on Patriot's well being and accomplishments!  For one year, Patriot was a major part of our lives, it is nice to know that the school understands and appreciates that! 

It has been a month since Patriot returned to the SEGDI for his formal harness training.  I think it goes without saying that we shed a few tears when he left us.  Now, we are at the point that we can smile sweetly when we think of him, no more tears... just best wishes for his new life.  By the way I recently found his stash of milkbones that he had hidden away...  :)  it made me smile!

Today we received word that Patriot has passed his physical, his hip x-rays were "EXCELLENT" and his elbows good.  He will continue on as a Breeder Candidate for the next month being observed for his temperament and overall ability.  We wish him well.... where ever this new life takes him! One thing for sure, a part of our hearts go with him!!! 

Patriot is an exceptional dog, in every way....this we knew from the very beginning.  We are so very proud of him!!!!



"THE LAST WEEK"

The last month has been very busy, we were on vacation for a couple weeks and that was a good thing!  Patriot finally got to meet family and friends that had been following him on the blog, he enjoyed all the attention and was an ordinary dog for two precious weeks.

Back to home and reality, Patriot went to the Vet for his final booster shot and on November 19th completed his final obedience test.  He is now ready for his December 10th "IFT" (In For Training) date.  I'm certainly not! He has put a paw print on my heart that is enormous,  he will truly be missed when he leaves us. 

 I have always kept my focus on the end results, there is no doubt in my mind that he will be a loyal and faithful companion to his "Forever Person!"

I would like to share some of my favorite photos of this magnificent dog!

In memory of "Kelsey" another loyal and faithful companion, that left her loved ones yesterday, only to meet later at the "Rainbow Bridge"

Kelsey DeFord

"PATRIOT'S FIRST BIRTHDAY:

Patriot is one year old today, he weighed in at 81 pounds and measured 24 inches at the shoulder.

Patriot received a birthday card from the School along with his letter from Southeastern Guide Dog School to report on December 10, 2011 to Guide Dog U as part of the freshman class.  He will begin his formal harness training at that time.

Patriot has become a big part of our family! Our focus has always been  on the end results and we know he is going to be a wonderful dog for his forever person.  It is a bittersweet time for us!


Back seat driver





Where has October gone? We've been busy with outings, obedience classes, and just out experiencing new things.  Here are some of our photos taken this month.



obedience class



Practice, Practice, Practice



Good experience! He did well!



Dinner with the Golf League



Thursday is Golf day



I was asked by some in our golf group to teach Patriot to retrieve golf balls that had gone out of bounds.  I passed on that idea :)

For the next 42 days,we are going to relish every moment we spend with our sweet boy.  He is so sweet, he even wags his tail while he sleeps...how special is that! 

"Good dog....pat pat"

"A DAY AT THE BEACH"

Patriots obedience class was held at Smyrna Dunes Park, It was his first visit to the ocean.  He walked into the water with little coaxing, when the water reached his belly, he stopped and stood motionless.

Patriot, Quincy and Shirley

After several minutes of watching the other dogs, Patriot took off jumping, running and having a good old time!

Patriot making waves!

He went out far enough that he was swimming, or should I say dog paddling.  I think a good time was had by all the dogs!  Had I known what I know now I would have worn a bathing suit :)

Of course there was rolling in the sand, chasing the waves and more rolling in the sand.  What a day!



            Yaz & Ron, Rusty & Suzanne,

                      Patriot and Bonnie

There's nothing like a two hour car ride with a wet dog.  Patriot, smelling a little fishy, received a bath as soon as we arrived home. 

Two days after his ocean exposure, I took Patriot to a nearby lake to see what his reaction would be.  He was in harness, and thank goodness,  did not make a break for the water. He was content to watch the model boat races and the nearby birds.







          We worked on bird distractions. He did well!



The birds were not too pleased
with him, but I was!


"GOOD DOG" .....pat pat





"HARNESS TIME"

Patriot is now in harness, I don't know if it's a coincidence but, he seems to be doing much better on the leash.  It never fails whenever I pay him a public compliment, his Dr. Jekyll soon makes an appearance, hopefully it won't be at our golf league's dinner :) all kidding aside, he's doing pretty good!


Patriot in harness



 The"find it" commands are some of the latest commands we're working on. 



"Find the door"



"Find the chair"



Recently I've noticed that Patriot is performing the command under/down without being told, I'm not sure that this is a good thing.  Need to ask my "AC" (area coordinator.)

"Patriot doing an under/down"

 The under/down is the command given to the dog to go under the table, lie down and stay while you're eating.  Patriot can be in another room and if I even sit at the kitchen counter he will come and automatically perform an under/down. Hmmmmm, I wish I could get him to be that conscientious about leash management.....but, we're a work in progress!  "Good dog.....pat pat"