With my hand healing pretty well, I decided to take Joey out this morning and see how he would react to Fifi (and vice-versa).
I had just taken Joey and Kimo out for a short stroll, but then let Kimo go home. I bypassed Koa to make it less complicated.
I went to the stonewall and Fifi was wagging her butt as usual. And I didn't notice any bad reaction from Joey. So I walked him to the beginning of the street and came back.
Then down to Fifi. Joey didn't really want to come down the steps (he used to go down the steps and sniff the dirt on the side while I was putting on Fifi's leash), but wasn't really fighting it. So I let him stay up the steps as much as the leash allowed.
Fifi was excited, so it took a little while to get the leash on. Then with the short leash, I took Fifi up.
I don't know if Joey was giving off any signals, but Fifi started acting up like she wanted to go after him.
While I was struggling to regain calm, Kimo came out and remarked that he never seen Fifi like this. I told him that they had fought (with Fifi on top of Joey and Kimo on top of Fifi). So he took the leash and walked them down the street. Fifi was on Kimo's left and Joey was on my right. So they were separated. And they seemed OK.
Unfortunately, Kimo had to go to work. And I decided to leave it on that note instead of walking them some more myself.
We'll see what happens next time, but it looks like there's some work to be done.
Thursday, November 24, 2011
Monday, November 21, 2011
a painful day
as I am typing this slowly after having gotten bitten on the hand this morning (at least the bleeding has mostly stopped).
The day started early as I heard barking in the morning when I was taking a shower. It was Jojo who showed up for the first time since Joey returned.
I decided to take Joey, Jojo, and Kimo all out with the going slow at time with the dogs pausing to eat grass on the side of the road. Or Kimo simply not wanting to go forward.
We bypassed Koa who was snoozing. But then retrieved Fifi who heard us and was up the steps.
We made our way to the beginning of the street and I saw RMAS come out headed our way. We slowly made our way but turned around when I noticed Kimo getting anxious.
At the beginning of the street, we turned around again and slowly made our way back. But then Jojo slipped away and went toward RMAS. They pulled back Miki and Shammy. And Reina came out to see if she could catch Jojo. I told her to step on his leash, but then he ran back toward me and I stepped on his leash.
So all seemed well, but then the collar came off. So I figured the best course of action would be to head to Betty's house and I led them through the gate.
The dogs were scrambling around and I was surprised to see Flo come out. Kimo went up the steps, but she knew not to pet him (though she's pet him in the past). Jojo was running around, sometimes being chased by Fifi. I guess Joey was wandering around too.
After a while, Flo went back in and we hit the road.
On the way back, I did kind of notice Jojo looking back and snarling at Kimo. I don't know what was going on between them.
Hershey had arrived, so I retrieved him and went up the street.
Then I decided to take them down to the Fong's backyard.
Most of the action was Fifi chasing Jojo. But Hershey joined in a little bit. Joey and Kimo mostly just sniffed around.
Coming out Kimo took off. I didn't know where he went at first (I thought he would either head home or go to Keith's house). I let Jojo loose and then saw them at the Iha's front yard.
Then we went to Hershey's for treats. I forget exactly what order they were for treats. I think Hershey was on the steps. Kimo I think was in his usual spot. Fifi was in front of me. Jojo came between Fifi and the steps. And I think Joey might have been on the steps, but I'm not sure.
Then the fun began. I think we were getting ready to leave and Joey went down to where Kimo usually sits (at the bottom of the steps at the wall). But something was going on between Joey and Fifi. I couldn't see, but I'm guessing Joey was feeling uneasy and was showing teeth to Fifi.
I don't know who made the first move but all hell broke loose and Fifi was on top of Joey. I went to pull off Fifi pulling up on her leash, but then Kimo got into the act, jumping up on Fifi as I was pulling her off. I pulled Kimo up by the collar, but then Jojo started up to going after Kimo's feet.
Kimo went nuts and I adjusted my grip on his collar, and that's when he bit me on my right hand. (I screamed OW!}
After a little while, things calmed down.
And I headed home with Fifi and Kimo in tow.
Joey headed up the steps. And seemed to be cringing a bit at the front door. I think I took Kimo in the back. And went to wash the blood off my hand.
I couldn't leave well enough alone and wanted to leave Joey and Fifi on a good note.
I put Fifi behind the fence in the garage and I brought Joey down the steps who came reluctantly.
But I guess I wasn't paying attention and they got into it again. So I let Joey back up the steps.
Well, what about Fifi and Kimo. I took Fifi back to the back gate and didn't notice much reaction from Kimo. So I let her in. Kimo just lay down while she walked around. I don't know, but I think maybe he might have been a little scared and didn't want to move.
I took Fifi back out and I stayed by the stonewall in sight of Joey. Neither showed any reaction.
So I figured that was good enough and took Fifi home on the short leash. I guess she had had enough activity because she walked well.
On the way back, I stopped briefly to say hi to Koa and went home to attend to my wounds.
Jojo had taken off, but came back and I let him in the front. I sat down on the steps and they both got around to lying down on the steps. But soon enough, Jojo heard or saw something up the street and wanted out. So I let him out and he ran up the street.
Initially I rinsed off the blood and put on some bactine. Later I put on some bacitracin in hopes of stopping the bleeding.
The bleeding slowed but never completely stopped for quite a while, maybe like six hours.
In the meantime, Joey was in the front barking periodically. So I took him in the back.
Kimo was lying in the dirt/mud and seemed listless and lethargic. Joey still barked occasionally and I noticed a few times when I went out he was next to Kimo and seemed to be barking at him. I don't know if he was trying to wake him up or scolding him.
Joey quieted down for a little while and Kimo broke his lethargy a bit when Pat brought out Keith and both Joey and Kimo were barking at him. But Kimo turned away from the fence when I came out, and Joey followed suit with a bit more body blocking.
More barking, so I took Joey out for a short walk (and it turned out poop).
Right now there's a little swelling and a dull ache. Nothing I haven't experienced before. It doesn't look all that great though with the dried blood criss-crossing the wound.
The day started early as I heard barking in the morning when I was taking a shower. It was Jojo who showed up for the first time since Joey returned.
I decided to take Joey, Jojo, and Kimo all out with the going slow at time with the dogs pausing to eat grass on the side of the road. Or Kimo simply not wanting to go forward.
We bypassed Koa who was snoozing. But then retrieved Fifi who heard us and was up the steps.
We made our way to the beginning of the street and I saw RMAS come out headed our way. We slowly made our way but turned around when I noticed Kimo getting anxious.
At the beginning of the street, we turned around again and slowly made our way back. But then Jojo slipped away and went toward RMAS. They pulled back Miki and Shammy. And Reina came out to see if she could catch Jojo. I told her to step on his leash, but then he ran back toward me and I stepped on his leash.
So all seemed well, but then the collar came off. So I figured the best course of action would be to head to Betty's house and I led them through the gate.
The dogs were scrambling around and I was surprised to see Flo come out. Kimo went up the steps, but she knew not to pet him (though she's pet him in the past). Jojo was running around, sometimes being chased by Fifi. I guess Joey was wandering around too.
After a while, Flo went back in and we hit the road.
On the way back, I did kind of notice Jojo looking back and snarling at Kimo. I don't know what was going on between them.
Hershey had arrived, so I retrieved him and went up the street.
Then I decided to take them down to the Fong's backyard.
Most of the action was Fifi chasing Jojo. But Hershey joined in a little bit. Joey and Kimo mostly just sniffed around.
Coming out Kimo took off. I didn't know where he went at first (I thought he would either head home or go to Keith's house). I let Jojo loose and then saw them at the Iha's front yard.
Then we went to Hershey's for treats. I forget exactly what order they were for treats. I think Hershey was on the steps. Kimo I think was in his usual spot. Fifi was in front of me. Jojo came between Fifi and the steps. And I think Joey might have been on the steps, but I'm not sure.
Then the fun began. I think we were getting ready to leave and Joey went down to where Kimo usually sits (at the bottom of the steps at the wall). But something was going on between Joey and Fifi. I couldn't see, but I'm guessing Joey was feeling uneasy and was showing teeth to Fifi.
I don't know who made the first move but all hell broke loose and Fifi was on top of Joey. I went to pull off Fifi pulling up on her leash, but then Kimo got into the act, jumping up on Fifi as I was pulling her off. I pulled Kimo up by the collar, but then Jojo started up to going after Kimo's feet.
Kimo went nuts and I adjusted my grip on his collar, and that's when he bit me on my right hand. (I screamed OW!}
After a little while, things calmed down.
And I headed home with Fifi and Kimo in tow.
Joey headed up the steps. And seemed to be cringing a bit at the front door. I think I took Kimo in the back. And went to wash the blood off my hand.
I couldn't leave well enough alone and wanted to leave Joey and Fifi on a good note.
I put Fifi behind the fence in the garage and I brought Joey down the steps who came reluctantly.
But I guess I wasn't paying attention and they got into it again. So I let Joey back up the steps.
Well, what about Fifi and Kimo. I took Fifi back to the back gate and didn't notice much reaction from Kimo. So I let her in. Kimo just lay down while she walked around. I don't know, but I think maybe he might have been a little scared and didn't want to move.
I took Fifi back out and I stayed by the stonewall in sight of Joey. Neither showed any reaction.
So I figured that was good enough and took Fifi home on the short leash. I guess she had had enough activity because she walked well.
On the way back, I stopped briefly to say hi to Koa and went home to attend to my wounds.
Jojo had taken off, but came back and I let him in the front. I sat down on the steps and they both got around to lying down on the steps. But soon enough, Jojo heard or saw something up the street and wanted out. So I let him out and he ran up the street.
Initially I rinsed off the blood and put on some bactine. Later I put on some bacitracin in hopes of stopping the bleeding.
The bleeding slowed but never completely stopped for quite a while, maybe like six hours.
In the meantime, Joey was in the front barking periodically. So I took him in the back.
Kimo was lying in the dirt/mud and seemed listless and lethargic. Joey still barked occasionally and I noticed a few times when I went out he was next to Kimo and seemed to be barking at him. I don't know if he was trying to wake him up or scolding him.
Joey quieted down for a little while and Kimo broke his lethargy a bit when Pat brought out Keith and both Joey and Kimo were barking at him. But Kimo turned away from the fence when I came out, and Joey followed suit with a bit more body blocking.
More barking, so I took Joey out for a short walk (and it turned out poop).
Right now there's a little swelling and a dull ache. Nothing I haven't experienced before. It doesn't look all that great though with the dried blood criss-crossing the wound.
Saturday, November 19, 2011
waiting for Kimo (to finish eating)
Joey is back with me for a few days.
I notice Joey waits for Kimo to eat before he eats.
Today, I tried to feed them separately in the evening.
Brought Kimo in the back, put down his food.
Brought Joey in the front, put down his food. But Joey wouldn't eat.
So I brought Joey back in the back. Joey waited for Kimo to finish his bowl. Then Kimo eat some of the food in Joey's dish. And only when Kimo moved away from the bowl, Joey dug in to eat.
I think what must have happened is that Joey might have gone for Kimo's food before he finished eating and Kimo went after Joey. I didn't see it, but that's my guess.
Joey used to just push Kimo away when he was drinking water and drink. But I don't notice if he's doing that any more.
I notice Joey waits for Kimo to eat before he eats.
Today, I tried to feed them separately in the evening.
Brought Kimo in the back, put down his food.
Brought Joey in the front, put down his food. But Joey wouldn't eat.
So I brought Joey back in the back. Joey waited for Kimo to finish his bowl. Then Kimo eat some of the food in Joey's dish. And only when Kimo moved away from the bowl, Joey dug in to eat.
I think what must have happened is that Joey might have gone for Kimo's food before he finished eating and Kimo went after Joey. I didn't see it, but that's my guess.
Joey used to just push Kimo away when he was drinking water and drink. But I don't notice if he's doing that any more.
Saturday, November 12, 2011
Simba the therapy dog
You both work with Simba, a therapy dog. Can you describe what he does at REHAB?
Mike: Simba serves several purposes here at the hospital, part of which is motivational. With our patients who may not want to attend therapy, we use him to interact with the patient. We’ll say, “Why don’t you come out and pet the dog?” When they do that, it encourages them to participate and get out of their room. We’ll say, “Let’s go find Simba!” which gets them up and walking. They’re not thinking of it as exercise, they’re thinking of it as “I’m having fun with the dog!”
We can also use Simba to encourage movement. If someone has a stroke, we encourage them to use their weakened hand more by petting or brushing Simba. It provides tactile input and encourages them to use their hand for physical recovery and movement.
Simba also helps patients gain movement through functional activities. For example, if you have a patient who needs to practice picking something up off the ground, it can get boring or repetitive. With Simba, it’s more interactive to have them pick the ball up from the ground and throw it for him to retrieve.
What kind of training did Simba receive to become a therapy dog?
Dawn: He was trained at Hawaii Canines for Independence on Maui. They were looking for somewhere to place Simba as a therapy dog, and we were looking for a therapy dog for REHAB. The dogs are very well-trained. They are selected from their litter based on temperament, then they go through rigorous training, learning more than 70 commands.
How long does the training last?
Dawn: The dogs do about one to two years of training. Hawaii Canines for Independence does training with the handlers for two weeks so that we can bond with the dog, learn how to say the commands correctly, how to praise him effectively, when to give treats and how to physically care for Simba. There were even written and handling tests and homework! We still have to do daily training with him to keep him learning. We’ve had Simba for four years now. He’s the first dog I’ve ever had, so now I’m spoiled for life because he is so well behaved.
Mike: Simba serves several purposes here at the hospital, part of which is motivational. With our patients who may not want to attend therapy, we use him to interact with the patient. We’ll say, “Why don’t you come out and pet the dog?” When they do that, it encourages them to participate and get out of their room. We’ll say, “Let’s go find Simba!” which gets them up and walking. They’re not thinking of it as exercise, they’re thinking of it as “I’m having fun with the dog!”
We can also use Simba to encourage movement. If someone has a stroke, we encourage them to use their weakened hand more by petting or brushing Simba. It provides tactile input and encourages them to use their hand for physical recovery and movement.
Simba also helps patients gain movement through functional activities. For example, if you have a patient who needs to practice picking something up off the ground, it can get boring or repetitive. With Simba, it’s more interactive to have them pick the ball up from the ground and throw it for him to retrieve.
What kind of training did Simba receive to become a therapy dog?
Dawn: He was trained at Hawaii Canines for Independence on Maui. They were looking for somewhere to place Simba as a therapy dog, and we were looking for a therapy dog for REHAB. The dogs are very well-trained. They are selected from their litter based on temperament, then they go through rigorous training, learning more than 70 commands.
How long does the training last?
Dawn: The dogs do about one to two years of training. Hawaii Canines for Independence does training with the handlers for two weeks so that we can bond with the dog, learn how to say the commands correctly, how to praise him effectively, when to give treats and how to physically care for Simba. There were even written and handling tests and homework! We still have to do daily training with him to keep him learning. We’ve had Simba for four years now. He’s the first dog I’ve ever had, so now I’m spoiled for life because he is so well behaved.
treats of the trade
As I walked into the exam room I was immediately greeted by a very friendly yellow Labrador. The next appointment went just as well. In fact, every room I entered, I was welcomed by extremely attentive patients. The owners noticed and a few of them brought it up to my instructor’s attention. Suffice to say, I earned high marks that day.
Why did all the patients like me? I must have been “in the zone.” Reveling in the attributes that made me so successful with my patients I slowly emptied the pockets of my lab coat: calculator, two pens, note pad, paperclip, highlighter and a handful of dog treats. Hmmm, how did the dog treats get in there? It hit me: Could it have been the dog treats in my pocket and not my infectious personality that made me well-liked?
The next day I slipped a few cookies in my pocket and enjoyed another phenomenal day. Aha!
Looking through the veterinary texts piled high in my room, I couldn’t find any reference to the “dog treat in the pocket technique.” Till today, this discovery has me walking into exam rooms with cookie-laden pockets. In fact, our clinic goes through packages of dog treats every week as we readily hand them out to our furry clientele.
Why did all the patients like me? I must have been “in the zone.” Reveling in the attributes that made me so successful with my patients I slowly emptied the pockets of my lab coat: calculator, two pens, note pad, paperclip, highlighter and a handful of dog treats. Hmmm, how did the dog treats get in there? It hit me: Could it have been the dog treats in my pocket and not my infectious personality that made me well-liked?
The next day I slipped a few cookies in my pocket and enjoyed another phenomenal day. Aha!
Looking through the veterinary texts piled high in my room, I couldn’t find any reference to the “dog treat in the pocket technique.” Till today, this discovery has me walking into exam rooms with cookie-laden pockets. In fact, our clinic goes through packages of dog treats every week as we readily hand them out to our furry clientele.
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