Posted on 03/16/2012 8:13:09 AM PDT by Altariel
SYLACAUGA – Ellie is a girl on the town.
The four-year-old Doberman Pincher is a frequent visitor at schools, nursing homes, libraries and more, spreading smiles wherever she goes.
“She has a lot of friends,” said 16-year-old Rebekah Rawlinson, Ellie’s owner and dedicated trainer.
Along with more than 30 competition ribbons and six titles, Ellie is also a certified therapy dog.
Rebekah, who has been training Ellie for three years, said they got the idea to get her certified after visiting a nursing home.
“My great aunt was in the nursing home, and she loved dogs so we wanted to take Ellie to see her,” she said. “We were at the nursing home one day, and somebody suggested we get insurance on Ellie, so we started looking at different organizations.”
She soon located Therapy Dogs International, a national register of dogs and handlers certified to visit public groups for therapy purposes.
Since becoming certified, Ellie has made an impact during her many public visits. Jo Rawlinson, Rebekah’s mother, said people react strongly to Ellie.
“People warm up to her really fast,” Jo said. “She has all the patience in the world, and if you put her in a crowded room, she will find the person who needs her attention.”
This week, Ellie visited a kindergarten class at Indian Valley Elementary School, where Rebekah said the children were enthusiastic about petting and playing with her.
“It’s really neat to see how people react to her,” she said. “They just run right up.”
Rebekah works with Talladega-based dog trainer Julie Moon. Jo credits Moon for encouraging Rebekah to compete in American Kennel Club events.
“When we began training, our end result we hoped for was for Ellie to be a therapy dog, but it has turned into much more than that,” Jo said.
Ellie recently earned the title of RAE, or rally advanced excellent, which means Rebekah is competing in the professional ranks. Moon said Rebekah’s level of achievement is unusual for a teenager.
“RAE is quite a title for an adult, much less a 16-year-old,” Moon said. “Normally teenagers aren’t the best trainers, but Rebekah is really determined and works well with Ellie.”
Moon said dog training requires a consistent commitment of 15-30 minutes a day.
“It doesn’t sound like much time, but if it were easy, everyone would have a trained dog,” Moon said. “There are so many more things to do with your time now, but Rebekah really made a commitment to it. Whatever she puts her mind to, she achieves.”
Rebekah said being the youngest competitor in many of her events is fun.
“A lot of people at the competitions are very encouraging,” she said. “They love that I’m doing it, because not many young people are interested in dog training, and they don’t want the sport to die out.”
Rebekah and Ellie have attended competitions in Atlanta, Birmingham, Montgomery and Nashville, and Rebekah is considering moving to the national level with the Doberman Nationals in September.
Dog training is just the beginning of her hobbies, however. Rebekah is involved in multiple school organizations as well as tennis and piano.
As to how she finds the time for dog training, Rebekah said Ellie gives her no choice.
“She gets mad if I don’t pay her enough attention,” Rebekah said. “Her favorite way to get back at me is to hide my shoes.”
Rebekah, who hopes to make dog training a lifelong hobby, said she and Ellie have no intention of stopping their visits or competitions any time soon.
“I just really enjoy it,” she said. “We’ve had a lot of experiences we wouldn’t have had without Ellie.”
Odin adores hubby but if I leave the room, hubby ceases to exist.
If the dog can follow, he will.
If the dog can’t follow, he’ll sit at/watch the door until I return.
Odin is My Dog.
;]
;]
Second that. My sister-in-law owned a Schutzhund-trained Shepherd for protection. She was definitely his human of choice, but he loved all of us. He was such a sweet, good, precious dog....unless you happened to be a stranger, LOL.
Yes, actually.
Gotta be a European gal, though.
I was going to answer you but Odin suddenly ripped my arms off and it took me a couple minutes to get Dragon up and running, using only a pencil held in my teeth.
;D
“A Doberman doesnt fit on a lap as well as cats.”
Hmmm.
Odin didn’t get that memo.
LOL!
As soon as I hit the lottery, I’ll let you know...:D
I respect dogs. I know what they’re capable of. I’m realistic. All this “dog-loving” kootchie-koo and then someone posts about Pit Bull Terriers ripping people apart, and all the people come out against PBTs, who are dogs (never mind the others that also attack). That’s reality. Dogs can be great, but they also must be respected for the havoc they can - and sometimes want to, despite all the nonsense “they only want to please (someone else)” - wreak.
Horse people have much more sense than dog people, in my view. They know horses can kill them, even if not intended, and show more respect as well as love, without all the kootchie-koo foolishness for an animal that is a carnivore and can intend to kill.
[still hitting the singles scene pretty heavy]
That would be reading a *Nook*...with the battery on 2% :)
...and if the book was good enough...I wouldn’t even notice the *incoming missile*.
You’re much more likely to go to the hospital due to a dog than cat.
Yes, they both can have questionable character. Overall dogs are more dangerous.
Don't forget about the therapy ferrets...
But those are *liberals*.
;-)
I like the way you think.
:-)
“Yes, they both can have questionable character. Overall dogs are more dangerous.”
That’s nuts.
Dogs are highly more trainable and in training socialized with their family than are cats.
A cat is a cat is a cat. It is what it is, personality wise, and that’s all it can or will be, for good or bad.
Friends of mine - a couple - who have always had dogs (more than one at a time usually) and cats (more than one at a time usually) have never once themselves, nor any of their freinds or family been to the hospital due to any incident with their dogs, but they and one friend and one relative have been to the emergency room on a number of occasions, as a result fo angry and vicious scratches from their cats, requiring stitches every time. One cat has - since the last attack - had to be anesthetized with a dart, like a zoo animal, just to get it to the vet to take care of its own medical issues.
I have been friendly with my relatives cats. I have let them know they need for their wills to plan on their care, for, no matter what. it won’t come from me.
Disclaimer: Opinions posted on Free Republic are those of the individual posters and do not necessarily represent the opinion of Free Republic or its management. All materials posted herein are protected by copyright law and the exemption for fair use of copyrighted works.