The Dual Force of Magnum – Service Dog for his Owner and Therapy Dog to Others

It is a joy to receive many emails from our Barking Bulletin readers that describe all the wonderful activities that our dogs share with us, at work and at play.  One such example is a dog called Magnum and his owner, Sharon and the many varied activities that they accomplish together.  Here is their story.

My name is Sharon Cunningham, and I want to share with you a special dog ‘tail.’ I am a registered AKC CGC Evaluator, Canine Ambassador, and also the director of Minds and K9s, a nonprofit provider of resources and direct service programs related to mental health in Kansas. I am also a dog trainer and provide training for all types of people and their dogs (whether pet, show or a working dog used for service, therapy or emotional support by its handler).

I also use a service dog. His name is Magnum, and he’s a blue Toy Poodle that performs medical alert and medication reminder work for me.   He also helps me with Therapy work when I visit local VA hospitals in association with my job at Minds and K9s.  My story today is about what my dog has given back to other people, not just to me.

Magnum Empowers Me

When I’m in a grocery store or other public area that has mothers and their children together, it is not uncommon for me to overhear a child say, “Look Mom, there’s a dog in the store. Why? They’re not supposed to be here!” And more often than not, I will hear their mother reply back to them, “Yes, and he is a special dog. He is a puppy that she is teaching to help blind people. When he is all grown up, the dog will help people who are blind.”

The truth is that Magnum is all grown up, and now at seven years old, this amazing dog has given me the freedom to do things that I couldn’t have before, makes some things easier to do, and certainly helps mitigate some of my disability. I do not use a wheelchair or white cane, and I am not blind. However, many people have disabilities that are often ‘invisible’ from the outside. As we learn more about what animals are capable of doing, and in this case, canines – we have come a long way in understanding how it is they can be trained to assist people with a large variety of disabilities.

Using Arts to Help with Stress Disorders

Minds and K9s, where I work, organizes and hosts a national arts program, called ‘Using the Arts to Eliminate Stigma’. The 2007 theme is ‘What a Difference a Friend Makes!’ One of the masks entered for exhibition in ‘The Many Faces of Kansas’ was partially made with Magnum’s help. A dog mask was paired with a mask covered in camouflage fabric, with the letters PTSD (Post Traumatic Stress Disorder) on the forehead. The black hair on the top of that dog mask’s head, and the black nose is made from Magnum’s coat, of course after it was clipped off of him!

“Man’s Best Friend”

Severe trauma to the head is a condition affecting many of our wounded soldiers who have bravely served their country. While the brain heals from other physical injuries, the emotional ones are often masked until the brain is healed enough to begin processing thoughts like it used to. That is when we find many of these same soldiers exhibiting signs of PTSD.

I visit the local VA hospital in association with my job at Minds and K9s. Magnum is right there with me. So I thought it fitting that Magnum contribute to the dog mask through the use of his coat!  I entitled this exhibit, ‘Man’s Best Friend.’

Our organization, Minds and K9s, uses masks to help educate about mental health and stigma. When a person receives a diagnosis of a chronic health condition or when they are suffering from trauma, they often hide their condition from others – afraid of what might happen if people knew what was wrong with them. They end up wearing an emotional mask they’d rather not be wearing. This arts event is for everyone, to encourage participation in the arts. However for some people, ‘Using the Arts to Eliminate Stigma’ gives them the opportunity to express artistically the emotions they’ve been hiding for a long time.

Training Challenges for Service Dogs

Part of my education with people and working dogs is to help them properly address public contact and interaction with their working dog. I also point out the special concerns that owners of working animals must know. There are many times in public when it is not appropriate for people to interact with my dog. However, it is equally important that my dog also never fears strangers. A well-trained dog will never stop working for its handler (the dog version of multi-tasking).

When Magnum is working exclusively for me, he is vested. When we go on a therapy visit, he does not wear his service dog vest. I use a different collar and a different lead. None of this stops Magnum from doing what I need him to do. It does let him know that "Yes, I want you to immediately respond if another person wants you. Do pull out on the lead, do kiss them on the face if that's what they want you to do - and yes, go ahead and break the furniture rule. If (person) invites you to jump up on their bed or chair, then it is OK now to do it!”

Magnum’s Multiple Talents

We volunteer with Human Animal Bond (HAB), a volunteer pet therapy program.  As such, our visits take us to two public hospitals, several nursing homes, special-ed preschool classrooms, public school classrooms and special events related to therapy dogs/caring for your pet. Magnum works for me and with me. He is a true ambassador, representing the best-of-the-best, in sharing his unconditional love and acceptance that dogs give people such as to the men and women receiving in-patient care at the VA Eastern Kansas Health Care System, Dwight D. Eisenhower VA Medical Center, Leavenworth, KS.  

-- Sharon Cunningham

Minds and K9s, a 501(c)(3) is a nonprofit organization providing resources and direct-service programs related to mental health.

Sharon Cunningham is also a dog trainer and focuses on service dogs: Training for Teams; and a registered AKC CGC Evaluator.   See our other article about the AKC Canine Good Citizen Program (link).

To contact Sharon, or for more information about the national annual arts program, contact:
Minds and K9s, Inc., PO Box 3163, Ft. Leavenworth, KS  66027-0163, (913) 250-5433 or visit their web site http://www.mindsandk9s.org/. 

You can also reach Sharon through: http://home.kc.rr.com/trainingforteams/
Training for Teams is separate from Sharon’s work with Minds and K9s.