So Tell Me Again – What Exactly Is Your Program For Training Service Dogs?
I went looking a couple days ago for a detailed description of the most well-promoted ‘service dogs for veterans’ organization’s training program – couldn’t find it, which really surprised me.
Funny thing is, I was actually trying to give them a break, not pick on them. I felt like I might’ve been too tough on their program lately and wanted to find something good that’d change my mind and give me more confidence in them.
One Of These Things Is Not Like The Others
In case it’s not real obvious which one (or you’re just a wiseguy): one of us hasn’t been to space – me.
It was my great privilege and honor to spend a large portion of Monday and Tuesday this week with three astronauts from Space Shuttle mission STS-131 who just returned from space April 20th – Commander Navy Capt Alan Poindexter, Pilot Air Force Col Jim Dutton, and Mission Specialist Dottie Metcalf-Lindenburger.
The occasion was a visit here to Colorado Springs including Challenger Middle School, Challenger Learning Center, Mountain View Elementary School, and the US Air Force Academy that was organized by my close friend Art Romero and which he very graciously allowed me to be a part of.
Rocky Bleier And Me At The Warrior Games
(Click on the image for a much larger version)
When I heard Rocky Bleier was coming to the Warrior Games, I knew I had to meet him, although I had no idea how to make that happen.
If you don’t know who Rocky is or his story….well, you should. Go look it up right now – I’ll wait.
Warrior Games – More Thoughts
I’ve been trying to come up with a way to sum up the Warrior Games experience of the last coupla weeks, and I’m really having a hard time – it was one of the most wonderful experiences of my life and truly a first-ever event in more ways than one.
For me personally, there have been so many overlapping and intersecting worlds – friends on the Air Force team who were competing, Air Force Academy coaches along with training and events at USAFA, a Canine Companions for Independence graduate on the AF team – it’s just been overwhelming. I’ve met a lotta ‘old’ friends – people who I’ve been talking to for years in some cases but had never met in person – and made a ton of new ones as well.
Warrior Games Opening Ceremonies
Having gone to the opening ceremonies today, I can tell you it’s already become apparent on the very first day that the Warrior Games is a unique and very special event, and it’s not gonna be possible for me to even begin to keep up with it here.
So, I’ll just give you a coupla neat things to look at which, given my military background, not surprisingly have a definite Air Force bent.
First, a great picture that was taken of the Air Force team with Gen Gene Renuart, NORTHCOM / NORAD commander and ranking officer in Colorado Springs. Even better because Canine Companions for Independence graduate Jason Morgan and his service dog Napal are in the front row at the right:
Air Superiority At The Warrior Games: Air Force’s Jason Morgan And Napal
It’s been my great privilege over the last three days to spend a lot of time around the Air Force team that’s here in Colorado Springs to compete in the first-ever Warrior Games, including Canine Companions for Independence graduate Jason Morgan and his service dog Napal II, who I wrote about a few days ago in this post.
Jason and Napal visiting with Lt Ryan McGuire at the Air Force Academy track.
Last night my wife Joann and I spent several very enjoyable hours at dinner with Jason and Napal. Not only is Jason a really nice guy and Napal the classic CCI service dog, Jason’s story of how he came to be injured and his recovery is truly incredible.
Canine Companions for Independence Grad In New National MS Society Video
If you watch this tremendous new National Multiple Sclerosis Society video about Canine Companions for Independence grad Buddy Hayes, you’ll see why those of us who know her like her so much – it’s pretty hard not to. (Not to mention her service dog Ellie, who is just wonderful.)
http://www.nationalmssociety.org/we-keep-moving/videos/santa-fe-new-mexico-video/index.aspx
Canine Companions for Independence Graduate Competing in Warrior Games
Here are two brand new videos with quick glimpses of the Canine Companions for Independence graduate team of Air Force wounded veteran Jason Morgan and Service Dog Napal II training here in Colorado Springs for the inaugural Warrior Games next week.
They can be seen zipping around the track at the one minute point of this Today Show video:
And also about 30 seconds into this local news story from KOAA Channels 5 and 30:
About Me
I'm very active with Canine Companions for Independence as a former member of the Veterans Task Force and puppy raiser. Retired US Air Force Chief Master Sergeant with my last assignments at the Air Force Academy as the Fourth Group Sergeant Major and Dean of Faculty Superintendent.
I'm actively looking for a paid position doing what I already do full-time as a volunteer.
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