HELPING STUDENTS DE-STRESS FOR FINAL EXAMS

College students had the opportunity to de-stress before final exams by being able to interact, play with and pet therapy dogs and service dogs in training from Hawaii Fi-Do.

A handful of dogs and their handlers were invited to two college campuses - University of Hawaii William S. Richardson School of Law and Hawaii Pacific University - to participate at their special events put on by their student activities.

“Good turnout and great fun at the HPU Stress Day. Students had lots of treats for Heidi, Tillie and Vinnie. I think they must have done a zillion sits and downs and earned a whole batch of cookies,” said Brennan Simcock, our puppy raiser.

Thanks Brennan for the photos!

Just a little Stella-the-dog note

By Martha Noyes
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One of the things I did not expect from having Stella, but which has turned out to be an astonishing benefit, is the joy she brings others, often people who are complete strangers. People at this conference are well-educated and pretty worldly, as their work often takes them to people and places far from home. But even among this group, people come over to us and ask if they can touch Stella, or say hello to her. That ask wonderful questions about how people train service dogs, and about Hawaii FiDo, but no matter what they ask or what I answer, everyone who meets Stella leaves smiling and happy.
The security guards at the Convention Center have been a riot. Every single one of them has asked to get to know Stella, and several of them have sat with me at lunch to talk about how amazing Stella is, what good manners she has, how beautiful she is, and how they wish they could ask people who claim the dog they’re bringing into the convention center was really a service dog. They tell me they can tell the difference between the real thing like Stella and other dogs whose owners just want to bring their dogs wherever they go. And three of them have decided to give Stella an extra name, just because these three like the name Emily, so Stella is now StellaEmily.
When I left the conference today and got to the booth where you pay for parking, the attendant exclaimed, “Oh, that’s Stella! I’ve being hearing about her! She’s so wonderful! Can I touch her?” She came out of booth and Stella licked her hand, she got all shivery and said, “Oh, she loved me!” Then back in her booth, she waved me through and called out, “Sweetheart, you and Stella have a wonderful night!”
It seems like a silly little thing, I know, but the fact that Stella brings such joy into other people’s lives just fills my heart. She’s a service dog, my service dog, but she heals so many other people.
ONE MORE STELLA STORY
I went to Ross late this morning to get new dog beds for Stella and Pie. Stella was with me, of course, and, as usual, got lots of “ooh da cute,” and “Mommy, look – a dog!” At the top of the stairs an adorable little girl was standing, watching Stella very carefully. I thought she was afraid of Stella, but she put her hand out and said, “pretty dog.” I thanked her and went about my business.
When I headed for the stairs to pay for the dog beds, the little girl was still standing there. She came over, put her hand on Stella’s back, and said something I couldn’t hear. I leaned down to hear her better. “I don’t know where Mommy is,” she said.
“Ok,” I said, “You and I will find her.” She held onto to Stella’s ear. A man came by and I said to him, “We’ve lost Mommy.” He started to reach for the little girl’s hand, but she shook her head, and held onto Stella with one hand and took my hand with her other. The man smiled and went to get a security guard.
While we waited I introduced her formally to Stella, and asked her name. “Sassy Girl,” she said. Security came, reached for Sassy Girl’s hand, but she wanted to be with Stella and me. The security guy was great. He led us downstairs and introduced us to the store manager. 
The store manager reached for Sassy Girl’s hand, but no, she was sticking to me and Stella. So we followed the manager to the front of the store where the manager got on the PA and asked for Sassy Girl’s mommy to come to the desk.
Sassy Girl just kept holding onto Stella – sometimes Stella’s ear, sometimes just keeping her hand on Stella’s back. Mommy got to the desk, saw Sassy Girl, and a successful reunion was had.
Sassy Girl waved goodbye – not to me, but to Stella.

Letter from Mike and Indy

Aloha,

Have you forgotten about us?  We have not forgotten you.  Not only do we miss all of you awe miss the great times together, like the Christmas party with all the other service dogs, food and the treats. The Christmas picture was nice to see and brought back good memories, thanks for all of them.  Susan who was and still is there to take Dad’s call, Thank you Susan.

I miss running on the Beach, walking in the beautiful parks and the wonderful weather, and cool breezes.

Have you figured out who I am?  Let’s see I had three great trainers, who I still love.  One taught me to eat carrots, and let me eat mangoes at the beach.  I’m kind of a cream color and white; weight about 70 pounds, love to work and miss you all and Hawaii.  Who am I?  One last clue, My Dad is a disabled Vet from the USMC.  Right I am Indy.

So, what has happened in the last 7 months?  My brothers received scholarships to go to Hendrix College in Conway, AR.  We had to move here so my brothers could get a free ride to a 4 year college, one of the top 20.  Mom is taking courses at the University of AR; she also works at Hendrix in the dinning services.

Dad and I have to put up with the nasty weather, when we got here in July it was 110-115 degrees.  Much to hot then much to cold even in Feb the high was only 30.

But having a great Dad, he has a summer cover, it gets water and keeps me cool for an hour and during the winter I have a warm coat to keep me warm.  He is such a great guy. For exercise we walk around the golf course and to get the mail.  WE also got to the exercise center where Dad works out and I get to run on the carpet.  Not like the warm beach and Great Ocean but it is better than staying home.

Well it is time to walk over and get the mail, so that is it for now; if and when something exciting happens I will let you know.

Love, Indy and Dad (Mike)

Hawaii Fi-Do and the wounded warriors from Schofield’s Army Wellness Program want to thank “Veterans United Foundation” for their generous donation of $2500 for the  Dog for Veterans Program. A special Mahalo to Zoe Nabarrete, senior loan officer of Hawaii branch of “Veterans United, Home Loans of Hawaii” for spear heading this donation project. Zoe has been a long time Hawaii Fi-Do supporter over the years and also very active in helping our veterans secure home loans. We so appreciate the effort and time “Veterans United Foundations” has done by helping us to help others.
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Hawaii Fi-Do and the wounded warriors from Schofield’s Army Wellness Program want to thank “Veterans United Foundation” for their generous donation of $2500 for the  Dog for Veterans Program.

A special Mahalo to Zoe Nabarrete, senior loan officer of Hawaii branch of “Veterans United, Home Loans of Hawaii” for spear heading this donation project.

Zoe has been a long time Hawaii Fi-Do supporter over the years and also very active in helping our veterans secure home loans.

We so appreciate the effort and time “Veterans United Foundations” has done by helping us to help others.

The Power of a Dogs’ Love Each morning when I go into Michelle’s room to dress her they get to her bed and snuggle before I even cross the room myself.  So there is something that attracts them to Michelle.  I’ve experimented with covering them with the blankets or having her legs on top of them as I move her to dress her and yet they stick to her until she is dressed and in her chair to go to the breakfast table.  Kind of interesting behavior. — Vickie Kirihara
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The Power of a Dogs’ Love

Each morning when I go into Michelle’s room to dress her they get to her bed and snuggle before I even cross the room myself.  So there is something that attracts them to Michelle.  I’ve experimented with covering them with the blankets or having her legs on top of them as I move her to dress her and yet they stick to her until she is dressed and in her chair to go to the breakfast table.  Kind of interesting behavior. — Vickie Kirihara

The Power of a Dog’s Touch

This is written by Vickie Kirihara, who is a puppy raiser and long-time volunteer.

Michelle is my 35-year old daughter with a rare condition known as Rett Syndrome that is almost exclusive to girls.  Rett syndrome causes problems in brain function that are responsible for cognitive, sensory, emotional, motor and autonomic functions.  Michelle has no daily living skills such a feeding herself, no way to communicate her wants and during waking hours, her body in constant motion. 

At bedtime, she would sit there on her bed for more than an hour just sort of moving in an agitate way.  She would wring her hands and tap her face repetitively.  Sleep never came very easily.

 

Annie with Michelle at bedtime when Annie first arrived at our home


I would lay Michelle down and instead of popping, she would lay there if Annie was in a down position in the bend of Michelle’s legs.  Annie would tap her thigh twice on the command of ‘good night.’  Then Annie added ‘love love.’

You see Annie in her ‘love love’ position.  This is bedtime after Annie was with us only a short time.


She would twist her leg so she could rub Michelle’s thigh and with that, I watch Michelle take a deep breath and release it ever so slowly expunging all of that pent up energy. Michelle closes her eyes and goes to sleep. 

Annie has been with us for three years and this is pretty much a nightly routine. It is wonderful to know I can put Michelle to bed and she will calmly go to sleep for a peaceful night rest and me too!

Blake & Kana: Gaining Control and Hope

Since having Kana, my service dog, I have a sense of hope and control over my life ever since I got wounded in Afghanistan. Kana has made it easier to adjust when we are out in town.

 

She has made mobility up stairs much less painful since she helps pull me up. When I have vertigo attack, Kana will lean up against me and let me brace up against her so I don’t fall. She has kept me from falling more times than I can remember.

While out in public she helps keep me calm when out in large groups of people and in areas where I would not feel comfortable. Kana helps me with keeping my mind in this reality when I start to lose control of my feelings.