If you happened to catch this one hour movie on KLRN last night, count yourself lucky. There is one more opportunity to see this excellent documentary in San Antonio tomorrow morning at 11:30 a.m. on KRLN World (9.2). After that you'll have to see it elsewhere, have a relative record it for you, or order a copy at the Shelter Me site.
Whatever you have to do to see this, do it. This very well-made documentary is extremely stirring and motivates you to do whatever you can to help the causes of shelter dogs and the programs that give them, and some humans, a second chance at life.
Shelter Me's motto is "Improving lives, one shelter pet at a time." This documentary shows just how true that motto is, following the lives of two stray dogs, quite a few other shelter dogs, several California Institute for Women prison inmates, two military veterans, and several people in need of assistance animals.
It is moving, tear-jerking, and uplifting--all at the same time. It also highlights much of what I write about here in terms of the importance of matching dogs to suitable homes, as well as the fact that so many animals in shelters are there only because of the failure to take into account ensuring a match between owner and pet.
Fortunately for the dogs in this movie, someone did come along with that in mind, and so many people benefit that there is an overwhelming awe at what can happen when pets and people are thoughtfully brought together.
In the first segment, we meet Los Angeles Animal Control Officer Kristi Navarro, who is called out to catch what the callers described as an aggressive pit bull. When she arrives on the scene, it's very obvious right away that this pit bull is anything but aggressive. In fact, he turns out to be such a sweet dog that it's hard to believe anyone wouldn't feel their heart melt watching his story unfold.
Watch carefully when Cassien Sandeberg, a behavioral consultant to Los Angeles Animal Control, assesses the pit bull. If you've read this posting, you'll know how patting a dog on top of the head can be very intimidating. So it's very rare to see a dog that doesn't react in some--usually very mild--way when this is done. Most dogs will blink or bob their heads just a bit. Some will close their mouths tight--a sign of uncertainty or wariness. Yet this "aggressive pit bull," Sammy, stays so relaxed that his tongue continues to loll out of the side of his mouth. It's so sad to think that some people would write this incredibly mild-mannered dog off as dangerous! Later, Cassien bends over his head, and receives a wonderfully sweet and sloppy dog kiss. Another indicator of a very, very NON-aggressive dog.
Listen to Cassien as he discusses finding the right environment for a dog and how they will blossom and thrive. So will the owner! Throughout, you'll hear everyone involved praise pit bulls, giving lie to the dangerous dog theory by those who deal with them most often.
There is also the other stray picked up in the beginning of the program, now named Emma. She has an abscess under her chin, and is in need of veterinary care which will have to be paid for by an adopter. This adorable dog really shows the kind of fearful body language I mentioned in this article. It's wonderful to watch her slowly come out of her shell and begin to see humans in a positive light. Within minutes, we get to witness her leaning her head adoringly--and adorably--on Cassien's shoulder.
It's lovely that the filmmakers follow these two dogs through to their happy adoptions. It's so very heartwarming to see Emma frolicking in the park with her new human. Likewise as we watch Sammy have a good roll in the grass and get a big kiss on the face from his new human.
This segment alone should convince everyone of the value of adopting a rescue pet.
Next the show moves on to the story of Canine Support Teams, a non-profit organization that takes dogs out of shelters and assesses them for potential ability as a service dog. Those that seem likely candidates are then taken to the California Institute for Women's prison in Southern California, where inmates take on the enormous task of training the dogs for lives as assistance dogs to people with a variety of different disabilities.
Carol Roquemore, the founder of Canine Support Teams, states clearly how this program results in a winning situation for everyone involved. It is particularly poignant when she points out that both inmate and dog have had similar pasts, and can help each other move beyond those past experiences to much more fulfilling lives in the future.
In fact, Syliva, one of the volunteers for this program, notes that the recidivism rate for released inmates who participated in this program is zero. That is an astounding statistic!
We then get to see two dogs--brothers--go through the training program, and we hear just how profoundly this work with the dogs changes the inmates. At a minimum, the inmates are providing an invaluable service for society. You will surely find yourself rooting for these women to find their place in the world with their newfound sense of self and sense of accomplishment. That is no small feat.
Finally, we get to see graduates of the program (the dogs) being paired with people in need of a service dog. We must always remember that just because you can't see someone's disability doesn't mean they don't have one. There is one woman in this group who suffers from a seizure disorder and has had very unfortunate experiences where people have completely ignored her when she has had a seizure in public. She hopes the assistance dog will move people to help her in the future. I am sure that will be true; but most importantly she no longer needs to feel alone in the world.
Happily, Texas has its own inmate dog training programs. In San Antonio, confinees at Dominguez State Jail work with through PAWS (Pawsitive Approach Worthwhile Solutions) to train guide dogs for the blind. PAWS is a unique program started through the partnership of Windham School District, the Texas Department of Criminal Justice, and Guide Dogs of Texas. As with all of these programs, their hope is to greatly decrease the wait time for those needing a guide dog. All across the U.S. the numbers of available dogs falls far short of meeting the need for all types of assistance dogs.
Outside Austin, at Travis State Jail, inmates train dogs for the TSA (Transportation Security Administration). Note, however, this program has its own breeding program, and the dogs are primarily trained at Lackland Air Force Base, where all military dog training for the U.S. is done.
And at the Crain and Murray units in Gatesville PatriotPAWS oversees the training of dogs primarily for military veterans; the subject of the final segment of the movie.
The last segment focuses on two military veterans who, literally, owe their lives to the dogs trained to assist them.
First we meet Andrew J. Trotto and his assistant dog, placed together by Freedom Service Dogs. This organization uses rescued dogs exclusively and partners with a variety of at-risk groups to train them to assist military veterans and autistic children.
Next we meet Blade Anthony and Bravo, who were brought together by Pets for Vets. Blade was a Marine Corp medic in Iraq, and has suffered terribly with PTSD. His story is extremely moving, and it is clear that he is not overstating matters when he says that Bravo literally saved his life.
Pets for Vets founder Clarissa Black discusses her program, which is specifically aimed at training assistance dogs for military veterans suffering with PTSD. The special training of these dogs is amazing, and utilizes the incredible observational skills of dogs enabling them to understand the emotional state of those in their care, and take action to reduce stressors.
The deep bond developed between the rescued dogs and these military veterans is clear. Both have had similar experiences of isolation. Their mutual support shows just how much the human-animal bond can better the lives of both. I have personal stories of the effect of human interaction with companion animals when there is mutual respect. The effect cannot be underestimated for all humans.
This is a must see for all people who love dogs and love what humans and dogs can do for each other.
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