Service Dog Assists Teenager Zach Arland is an outgoing, goal-oriented 16 year-old high school sophomore. One goal he has set for himself is to earn a Greenfield-Central High School Honors Diploma. Another goal is to attend Purdue University. For career options, he is interested in criminal psychology but also entertains the possibility of becoming a teacher. His favorite subject is German, with English and history high on the list. Zach’s calendar is packed with extra curricular activities.  A member of the Drama Club, he sings in the choir and is in the Greenfield Central Student Leadership Academy. He enjoys going to football and basketball games and riding horseback at Edelweiss Equine Assisted Therapy Center. Zach is one of five Arland boys, three of whom (Matt, Jacob, and Lucas) share his birthday (quads!) The fourth brother Nick is 12 years old. But Zach’s best friend is Zeke, a three-year-old Golden Retriever. Zeke is a service dog, dedicated to helping Zach do things that are difficult for him because he has cerebral palsy and is a wheelchair user.   Welcome . . . This adventure of an old woman and a 120-pound Giant Schnoodle begins four years ago with the decision to “get out of the boat” and launch a ministry with a therapy dog. “Our Story” covers the selection and training a dog for therapy.  We share the frustrations, challenges and rewards of raising and training a large, energetic puppy. Then comes the special training and evaluation process to become Delta Society Pet Partners. To our surprise, opportunities to serve in local health care facilities come early and unsolicited. But the unique aspect of our mission is how we incorporate our therapy dog in a ministry with children. Our hope is that, no matter what your age, you will be inspired to get involved with life – to leave your comfort zone, whether your mission is with a dog or in one of many other ways to serve God both “inside” and “outside the box.” You are invited to use this web site as a resource in your ministry. We are posting the programs we have developed for the children at Greenfield Christian Church (Disciples of Christ). These stories are found under “Children’s Sermons” and “Youth Programs.” New articles are added the first of each month. These stories are not designed to be read aloud. They are springboards for discussion and interaction with children. You are free to incorporate them in programs you have customized for you, your dog,and your specific audience. To God be the glory!  Click here to read "Our Story" The Arlands applied for a service dog for Zach in 2005. They chose Canine Companions for Independence (CCI) because they were acquainted with this program. CCI, located near Columbus, OH, breeds dogs specifically to be service dogs. The CCI puppy is raised by a volunteer family until it is 9-12 months old. At that time the puppy is returned to the CCI training center for specialized training. Most dogs are placed with a client when the dog is about 18 months old. After a wait of three years Zach’s mother, Denise, and Zach went to the CCI training center for a two-week training period. During that time Zach and Zeke were matched based on temperament, Zach’s needs and Zeke’s special abilities. Zeke’s most outstanding skill is his ability to retrieve.   Zeke does many things that Zach finds difficult to do. He retrieves things Zach drops and carries items, such as a shopping bag, for him. He can assist in removing Zach’s coat, open and close doors. He takes the laundry basket to Zach’s room to collect his dirty clothes and returns it to the family laundry room and helps Zach in other ways. Perhaps even more important than the things he does to make life easier for Zach, Zeke helps reduce Zach’s anxiety and provides a special companionship for the teenager. Zeke is Zach’s service dog, but off leash he enjoys the same benefits as the family pet. He socializes with the entire family. Although service dogs are normally not to be petted while working, Zeke gets plenty of playful attention from the Arland boys when he is off leash.   “They probably shouldn’t,” Denise admits, “but they do (play with Zeke.) But he will go on duty in an instant. If Zach calls him, Zeke goes right into his ‘work’ mode. “Zeke is a funny, laid-back dog, who is eager to please. He loves to work and is a very serious dog when on leash. “Off leash, he can be a crazy dog, racing around and playful. He loves to play with our other dog (family pet.)” Denise explains. At this point Zeke does not go to school with Zach. CCI’s insurance carrier doesn’t allow the dog to go to school with a client (under 18) without a “trained facilitator.” (That is an adult assistant who is certified by CCI.) However, when Zack is a high school senior, the Arlands plan to ask for a waiver so that both Zach and Zeke can learn to work together in the academic atmosphere. This will be a step toward the independence Zach needs in order to go to college (one of the goals of this ambitious teenager.)   (Back to top)