Hello from Kate and The Boys

Hello everyone,

Since last blogging I have started school. I am taking classes through Fort Hays online program. I have decided to work towards a leadership degree. I started out the semester taking two classes but after a organizational blip I have dropped it down to one. I think this will work out better and I'll try two again in the spring. The class I am taking is Intro to Leadership - the first class I will need in my major. The switch from psychology is because after so much treatment and therapy I don't think I could stand to study it day in and day out. And definitely would not be equipped to handle a career in it. Leadership has an element of psychology in it and it's just the right amount.

Gus's training continues to go well. We've hit the puppy teenage years and that is challenging. A little too much energy and a lot of willfulness. He accompanied me to the fair and did very well except for continued stopping on a whim and refusing to move. We didn't get very far, very fast. He's needs more exercise but luckily he loves to play fetch and wrestle with the other dogs so wearing him out is fairly easy. However, class at the Kennel Club is where his teenagenish is most apparent. Gus has apparently forgotten what stay means.

A piece of interesting information about Gus and I is that we are now part of an organization called 1Boy4Change. 1Boy4Change used to have a service dog program that either supplied dogs to owner trainers or supported owner trainers. They graciously allowed me into their now closed program and have given me permission to use their name to train under. They will also administer my public access test when Gus is ready which will make us part of International Association of Assistance Dog Partners (IAADP) because of their partnership with them. This is exciting because it means Gus would be able to travel oversees. Also, this is considered to be the BEST organization for service dogs and dogs registered with them have very good reputations.

Benny is doing well and hasn't had a seizure for quite awhile. Chris is taking him to obedience class which Benny is enjoying and I think Chris is too. :) Benny hasn't been able to go to class for awhile so it's nice for him to get out there again. In a few weeks Benny and I will be starting a nose-work class in Wichita. This is absolutely perfect for Benny because of it's low stress environment and it's emphasis on dog's having fun. Benny will be taught to search for treats in boxes and places around the room using his nose. We have taken a workshop in this before and Benny LOVED it. He became so excited when he got to do it. So this will be wonderful him.

I am well. September has lots of hard memories for me as I went to treatment twice during this month and it's the back to school month which I don't remember too fondly but I made it through unscathed. I'm proud of that.

That's about it for us. Here's some pictures to close this out.

Love,
Kate and The Boys

Gus does his job at Metro - He has grown out of this vest and is a lot bigger now

Checking in - doing his job

This pretty much captures Benny's personality 

Gus learned to swim this summer. It was sooo much fun.I was a proud Mama.

I graduated from the Animal Behavior College!!!