Training Canine Companions During Spring Break
Ten Buena Vista University students participated in an Alternative Week of Off-site Learning trip during spring break, enabling them to volunteer their time and service with a focus on training canine companions for those with disabilities in Florida.
Ten Buena Vista University students participated in an AWOL (Alternative Week of Off-site Learning) trip during spring break, enabling them to volunteer their time and service with a focus on training canine companions for those with disabilities in Deland, Fla.
BVU students traveled to Deland, Fla., and volunteered at My Angels With Paws (MAWP), a volunteer-based non-profit that trains dogs to help people with disabilities live fuller, more independent lives. The dogs are in training for up to two years in a variety of areas, including mobility, balance brace, seizure response and PTSD. The BVU participants were hands-on taking care of and working with the dogs, including being responsible for their grooming, feeding, care, and obedience and some situation training. Their training involved helping the dogs become used to working with different people and exposing them to various experiences and locations that they might encounter with their forever partner. The group also helped with projects around the facility, such as putting up a fence for a new kennel and building gates for a new dog run.
For student site leader, Bonnie Keller, a senior biology major from Sioux City, the experience taught her the many ways service dogs can be of assistance to those experiencing PTSD, anxiety or mobility difficulties. “This puts into perspective the intelligence of the dog and brings light to how important these dogs are to their forever partner,” she said. “The dogs we had the opportunity to train will give their forever partners the independence and freedom that they may not have had before. It is truly incredible to be a part of that process.”
Advisors for this experience were Lori Berglund, assistant director of career and personal development at BVU, and Donna Musel, director of BVU’s Center for Academic Excellence.
“Our week was exhausting in the best possible way! The students exceeded the organization’s expectations on every task and project they were given,” said Berglund. “One of the things I love most about my job is the opportunity AWOL provides for fostering relationships through service learning experiences with BVU students.”
The students connected with a deep appreciation for service during their AWOL service. Alec Sindelar, a senior business major from Winside, Neb., and one of the student site leaders for the trip, said, “AWOL has been one of the most rewarding and beneficial experiences of my life. It is an opportunity to forget about your world for a week and completely commit yourself to bettering the lives of others. It leaves your heart feeling whole, and I wouldn't trade my time with AWOL for anything.”
Others students who participated in the service animal training AWOL trip were Kristina Campbell, a sophomore environmental science major from Missoula, Mont.; Manda Clark, a senior accounting and business major from Urbandale; Michelle Eccher, a senior communication studies major from Fonda; Morganne Haer, a senior chemistry major from Villisca; Molly Hesnard, a senior biochemistry major from Sac City; Madison Hoyt, a senior English and Spanish major from Grinnell; Rachel Kehrberg, a sophomore biology and music major from Hinton; and Sarah Mackey, a junior mathematics and computer science major from Center Point.