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Helene
Over the years, I've observed most people think that I train my Assistance Dog for other people when actually she is for me. When I go to the store with my Assistance Dog, I am always stopped by someone and asked "What a beautiful, well behaved dog. How long has she been in training and for what?" When I state that she is an alert dog for me due to my debilitating migraines, this is an opportunity for me to educate the person about alert dogs, Puppy Love Caring Canines, and the purpose of the organization.
During the course of year a friend had seen me not work or drive due to weekly debilitating migraines. I do not get an aura and the left side of my body becomes paralyzed, similar to a stroke patient. One day, she suggested I get an Assistance Dog and I thought she was crazy!!
But after some thought, I decided, what did I have to loose. After doing some research on the computer I found information about Alert Dogs that alert their owners ahead of time when they become ill like me. After contacting service dog organizations in Minnesota and the Midwest, I was turned down because I didn't qualify. Finally I found a trainer in Minnesota who found Tristan, a Standard Poodle. However, after a year that trainer had to move out of state. Once again, I approached the same service dog organizations. I still didn't fit their criteria because of my unique needs. After some time I finally was able to connect with an organization that completed Tristan's Service Dog training and became certified in 2001. However in 2002 that organization dissolved.
A year later, I found Mrs.Grete Krause who agreed to help Tristan and I enhance our learning and skills that we needed as a team. Tristan and I also learned together how to push the ER call button in our home, how to pick up items, and expand his obedience skills.
Tristan unexpectedly passed away in 2005 and I was left without my best friend and companion. Once again I could not drive. I didn't know when my migraines would occur and would have to rely on family and friends to drive me places. The outpouring of support and sympathy was overwhelming. I realized with all the cards and flowers from people in the community, that Tristan had touched so many lives.
Mrs. Krause was always there especially when I was grieving over Tristan by letting me know that it was ok to move on to the next dog when I was ready. Mrs. Krause waited for me to initiate the search for the next Assistance Dog. She told me what standards to look for in my search; took me step by step through it; checked in with me; we discussed the pros and cons after I met each dog; and she was supportive in what ever decision I made on each dog.
 After an exhaustive search, Mrs. Krause and I found another Standard Poodle named Sprite. I now realize I when look back on it, she chose me. Instead of playing with her siblings when she came outside to meet me, she sat beside me and looked at me straight in the eye the whole time. We have since started obedience classes and assistance training. She, like her predecessor has alerted me to my migraines so I can get to a safe place. For Tristan, it was pawing and lying down beside me. For Sprite, she's applying her "Signals" by plastering her body against me, and herding me. Having a certified Assistance Dog through Puppy Love Caring Canines has brought me more independence by being able to be in the community; see my family and friends during the day and not depend upon others to drive me. Assistance Dog training has taught me how to better manage my migraines, have more self confidence and self esteem by pacing myself and looking for the signs of being tired or exhausted whether my dog alerts me or not.
Mrs. Krause is kind, caring, supportive, a good listener, problem solver, and will help you out in any way. Now that I have a puppy, it's a whole new experience for me that I can't wait to learn its ups and downs with both Sprite and Grete. Over the few years of being Puppy Love client she has taught me a lot about Assistance Dogs and that I can do tasks again by training my dogs at home. Organizations such as Puppy Love which help people not covered by mainstream organizations are few and far between.
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After a devastating accident changed my life, Puppy Love Caring Canines did too! 
Now, Sparky picks items up for me, takes the clothes out of the dryer, helps me get undressed, and helps take my mind off the constant pain.
Approximately two years ago I lost my Hearing Service Dog, Shadow from cancer.
Shadow was my precious best buddy Border Collie "Shadow".
After Shadow's death, my husband Vaughn & I found a beautiful
Border Collie puppy "Rocky" thru the internet and drove there to meet Rocky.
He was only 5 month olds. We loved him and brought him home with us that same day!
He brought me such a joy, he is so full of energy.
After my heart was broken since I lost my Shadow, I was worried about getting another
dog so soon, but Rocky is so intelligent and lovable dog.
After I got Rocky, I called numerous Hearing Service Dog companies to help train me and
my Rocky, They won't help me because I have other dog at my home, which is a 5 year old
Yellow Lab. I was disappointed, I simple can't get rid of my old dog and I needed a service dog.
I started looking for Grete because she used to train me and my Shadow long ago. She was
not working with the same group as before so I was unable to locate her.
Then one day a friend of mine talked to me about hearing service dogs and she knew
who Grete was. Grete now works for "Puppy Loving Care" and she agreed to train me and my Rocky,
even though I have another dog at home. I am a dog lover and I am so happy I don't have to
get rid of my old sweet dog. Rocky learned quickly and loved to work.
One day I was sit in living room with laptop and Rocky jumped on me
and barking to get my attention, so I followed him to laundry room and notice my
washing machine was loud pound shaking, I hadn't trained him to that sound.
Also, one late night I was sleeping. Rocky woke me up to the window it was a very loud thunderstorm,
I still can't hear it until I came to window, I can feel the vibration, knowing it is very loud.
I am so very grateful for Grete & Puppy Loving Care for training Rocky and me.
I truly am deeply appreciative for him! I always feel safe with my hearing service
dog every day. Rocky is my ears and hears for me. Plus he and our other dog Chancy have become
best friends and Rocky is teaching her how to work too... of course she just like to follow him around.
We love Toby! We got Toby as a companion dog for my daughter Elena a few years ago. Elena had always had trouble sleeping, but Toby was our miracle sleep dog! As soon as we got him (and he slept in Elena's room), she started going to bed by herself and sleeping through the night! He is our constant companion in the yard and encourages us to take long walks (great exercise for both me and Elena!). Elena has a camera, and Toby is her favorite model! She has taken a million photos of him already! 