Service Dogs Offer More Than Companionship

Maj. Steven C. Sterry's service dog Montera doesn't have to do much to make a difference in her owner's life.

While the faithful 3-year-old golden retriever and Labrador mix has helped Sterry with answering door bells, alarms and other sounds the hearing impaired Vietnam veteran may have trouble hearing, just having Montera with him has improved his quality of life, said Sterry.

Having a constant canine companion can provide a human link for seniors and the disabled, who Sterry said often feel lonely or ignored by society.

“The dog can make someone actually feel like a real person again. You come back into society again,” said Sterry. “It’s just not the things the dog does for you, it’s also how the dog can help you relate to people again.”

When his wife died several years, Sterry decided to apply for a service dog through Canine Companions, a nonprofit organization that places service dogs with physically disabled individuals. Based in Santa Rosa, Calif., the organization is the largest nonprofit provider of assistance dogs and has placed 3,400 service dogs with new owners over the past 34 years.

“People are just drawn to Montera,” Sterry, 68, told a group at the La Fetra Senior Center during a presentation on Canine Companions Monday. “She doesn’t have to do anything. I’ve met so many people simply because of Montera.”

These people include Sterry’s current girlfriend.

“I wouldn’t have met her if I didn’t have Montera,” said Sterry.

Through Canine Companions, placement of service dogs as well as training with owners and their dogs are free of charge, all made possible through charitable donations.

Owners, however, are responsible for feeding and grooming their dog, as well as veterinarian fees. While those can add up, Sterry said there are various financial assistance programs available, including a program for veterans.

Once individuals apply for a service dog, they go though a screening process, which includes a recommendation by a doctor and an interview.

“We want to make sure these pets can be properly taken care of by their owner,” said Sterry.

Because of the demand, there is a 1 to 2 year wait to be paired with a dog, and a required training session in their Oceanside campus for both potential owner and pet.

All of the service dogs in the program are bred and raised by Canine Companions. Volunteers raise the puppies until they are ready to be paired with an owner.

“It’s seems like a great service for seniors, especially those living alone,” said Glendora resident Betty Lackie. The 85-year-old said she was looking into a service dog mainly for the companionship and the assistance. “Living alone, safety is a big concern.”

For more information about Canine Companions, visit www.cci.org.