SERVICE DOGS' HELP OFFER INDEPENDENCE

Donna Jacobs thought Patra might be bad dog. She couldn't explain why her pet kept biting her wrists and knocking her down. At one point, Jacobs considered having the dog put to sleep.

But a veterinary assistant suggested she visit with dog trainer Kathy Cramer first. Cramer and Jacobs soon discovered that Patra wasn't a bad dog. Instead he was trying to help.

Jacobs has seizure disorder, and Patra can sense when a seizure is about to occur and alert Jacobs.

With Patra's help, Jacobs was able to go back to work. She is a marketing director for a computer company. She also can drive short distances. She isn't afraid to got to the grocery store or to a restaurant. Patra is always by her side.

Patra was named the Delta Society's National Service Dog of the Year and the two are offering training in communities across the state.

They visited Cape Girardeau Thursday to share information at a workshop sponsored by SEMO Alliance for Disability Independence.

"He gave me back my independence," she said.

Patra isn't alone. An estimated 20,000 dogs provide some type of service to people ranging from seizure alert dogs like Patra to more traditional guide dogs for the blind.

Marilyn Pona, founder of Support Dogs in St. Louis and a dog trainer, explained that dogs can benefit people with a wide range of disabilities.

Among those who may benefit are people with spinal cord and head injuries, strokes, multiple sclerosis, cerebral palsy or muscular dystrophy, and those recovering from trauma or depression, chronic pain and anxiety.

About 80 percent of the dogs Pona trains come from shelters. "It doesn't have to be a special dog. It doesn't have to be a beautiful dog. It needs a special relationship with the person," she said.

Dogs can be trained to see, to hear and to provide general assistance like pulling wheelchairs and fetching dropped items.

Pona's dog provides a brace for her to lean against as she stands to get out of her wheelchair.

In addition, the dogs provide psychological benefits for the people they serve. People with service dogs see an increase in self esteem, require less personal assistance and have more independence.

Independence is the reason Jim Pelfrey of Cape Girardeau uses a guide dog, Ranger. "I can be a productive person. Thanks to Ranger I can be a part of the community," he explained. "I've earned my masters degree. Now I'm somebody's husband. I'm more independent."

However, people with service dogs do run into obstacles. Some restaurants and stores don't want to admit the animals. Some landlords refuse animals.

The law is clear that service animals are admitted anywhere that the person is admitted.

Pona said service dogs aren't pets. They are working animals doing a job.

Dogs have been trained to turn on the faucet to get a drink. One dog was trained to sense low blood sugar, go to the refrigerator and bring back a soda.

Marie Thompson's dog Ringo gives her freedom to go about her day in Portagville. Thompson, who is blind, said Ringo helps her find the chair, find the curb, negotiate escalators and stairs.

"He's a wonderful dog," she said.