{"id":991,"date":"2017-02-01T13:54:21","date_gmt":"2017-02-01T20:54:21","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/sitmeanssit.com\/dog-training-mu\/portland-dog-training\/?p=991"},"modified":"2017-02-01T13:54:21","modified_gmt":"2017-02-01T20:54:21","slug":"sit-means-sit-clients-and-therapy-dogs-join-the-go-team","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/sitmeanssit.com\/dog-training-mu\/portland-dog-training\/blog\/sit-means-sit-clients-and-therapy-dogs-join-the-go-team\/","title":{"rendered":"Sit Means Sit Clients and Therapy Dogs Join the GO TEAM"},"content":{"rendered":"<p><iframe loading=\"lazy\" src=\"https:\/\/www.youtube.com\/embed\/kk8MyX13k6Y\" width=\"560\" height=\"315\" frameborder=\"0\" allowfullscreen=\"allowfullscreen\"><\/iframe><\/p>\n<p>In the summer of 2012, the Waldo Canyon fire ignited four miles outside of Colorado Springs, burning nearly 20,000 acres. More than 32,000 people were forced to evacuate as the fire destroyed nearly 350 homes.<\/p>\n<p>In the midst of the fire, two clients of Sit Means Sit Dog Training took their therapy dogs to a hotel filled with displaced residents to offer comfort and distraction to those affected by the tragedy. They also spent time with first responders, allowing the firefighters to take a break and enjoy the company of a four-legged companion.<\/p>\n<p>This began the GO TEAM\u2014a non-profit organization devoted to assembling and helping train dogs who have gone through the Sit Means Sit training program for service, therapy, crisis and emotional support.<\/p>\n<p><a href=\"https:\/\/sitmeanssit.com\/dog-training-mu\/portland-dog-training\/files\/2017\/02\/IMG_7676.jpg\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"wp-image-994 alignleft\" src=\"https:\/\/sitmeanssit.com\/dog-training-mu\/portland-dog-training\/files\/2017\/02\/IMG_7676.jpg\" alt=\"IMG_7676\" width=\"331\" height=\"248\" srcset=\"https:\/\/sitmeanssit.com\/dog-training-mu\/portland-dog-training\/files\/2017\/02\/IMG_7676.jpg 1440w, https:\/\/sitmeanssit.com\/dog-training-mu\/portland-dog-training\/files\/2017\/02\/IMG_7676-300x225.jpg 300w, https:\/\/sitmeanssit.com\/dog-training-mu\/portland-dog-training\/files\/2017\/02\/IMG_7676-768x576.jpg 768w, https:\/\/sitmeanssit.com\/dog-training-mu\/portland-dog-training\/files\/2017\/02\/IMG_7676-1024x768.jpg 1024w, https:\/\/sitmeanssit.com\/dog-training-mu\/portland-dog-training\/files\/2017\/02\/IMG_7676-800x600.jpg 800w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 331px) 100vw, 331px\" \/><\/a>On Jan. 21 and Jan. 22, Sit Means Sit of Portland partnered with the GO TEAM to assemble our own team of volunteers and their dogs. The two-day training was immersive and extensive as 15 of Sit Means Sit\u2019s most dedicated clients and their dogs navigated the city and learned what it takes to bring their dogs into public.<\/p>\n<p>\u201cWith the GO TEAM, we take the dogs out on the go to anybody who needs some joy their lives,\u201d said Sam Elgin\u2014a trainer with Sit Means Sit Dog Training.<\/p>\n<p>Sam found Sit Means Sit Dog Training in 2014 when her 1-year-old German Shepherd became reactive and barked at people in public. Not long after, she became a trainer for Sit Means Sit. Now, she\u2019s training her second dog\u2014Bilbo\u2014to be part of the GO TEAM. Bilbo is a 3-year-old dachshund Sam rescued from the humane society.<\/p>\n<p>\u201cBilbo is a good therapy dog because he\u2019s adorable,\u201d Sam said. \u201cHe\u2019s just really sweet and he loves all people and he doesn\u2019t get too overly excited with people, so he has a nice temperament.\u201d<\/p>\n<p>The weekend began on the TriMet city bus as 15 of our clients piled onboard with dogs at their feet. The group practiced boarding the bus and unloading over and over again, before moving on to the MAX light rail, which took the group to the Clackamas Town Center.<\/p>\n<p><a href=\"https:\/\/sitmeanssit.com\/dog-training-mu\/portland-dog-training\/files\/2017\/02\/IMG_7718.jpg\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\" wp-image-997 alignright\" src=\"https:\/\/sitmeanssit.com\/dog-training-mu\/portland-dog-training\/files\/2017\/02\/IMG_7718.jpg\" alt=\"IMG_7718\" width=\"320\" height=\"240\" srcset=\"https:\/\/sitmeanssit.com\/dog-training-mu\/portland-dog-training\/files\/2017\/02\/IMG_7718.jpg 1440w, https:\/\/sitmeanssit.com\/dog-training-mu\/portland-dog-training\/files\/2017\/02\/IMG_7718-300x225.jpg 300w, https:\/\/sitmeanssit.com\/dog-training-mu\/portland-dog-training\/files\/2017\/02\/IMG_7718-768x576.jpg 768w, https:\/\/sitmeanssit.com\/dog-training-mu\/portland-dog-training\/files\/2017\/02\/IMG_7718-1024x768.jpg 1024w, https:\/\/sitmeanssit.com\/dog-training-mu\/portland-dog-training\/files\/2017\/02\/IMG_7718-800x600.jpg 800w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 320px) 100vw, 320px\" \/><\/a>In the busy mall, the pups got exposure to a hectic and dynamic environment with distractions galore. They practiced riding the escalator\u2014a surprisingly tricky task when you\u2019re a dog with sensitive toenails and paws unfamiliar to escalator steps\u2014as well as laying underneath tables and out of the way as their owners ate lunch in the food court.<\/p>\n<p>The next day, they put their training to the test at Brookdale Sellwood, an assisted-living home that specializes in Alzheimer care. The pups had ample opportunity to interact with the home\u2019s residents and lit up the room.<\/p>\n<p><a href=\"https:\/\/sitmeanssit.com\/dog-training-mu\/portland-dog-training\/files\/2017\/02\/IMG_7710.jpg\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"size-full wp-image-995 aligncenter\" src=\"https:\/\/sitmeanssit.com\/dog-training-mu\/portland-dog-training\/files\/2017\/02\/IMG_7710.jpg\" alt=\"IMG_7710\" width=\"1620\" height=\"1080\" srcset=\"https:\/\/sitmeanssit.com\/dog-training-mu\/portland-dog-training\/files\/2017\/02\/IMG_7710.jpg 1620w, https:\/\/sitmeanssit.com\/dog-training-mu\/portland-dog-training\/files\/2017\/02\/IMG_7710-300x200.jpg 300w, https:\/\/sitmeanssit.com\/dog-training-mu\/portland-dog-training\/files\/2017\/02\/IMG_7710-768x512.jpg 768w, https:\/\/sitmeanssit.com\/dog-training-mu\/portland-dog-training\/files\/2017\/02\/IMG_7710-1024x683.jpg 1024w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 1620px) 100vw, 1620px\" \/><\/a><\/p>\n<p>\u201cThe retirement home was the thrill of the whole weekend, and the whole reason why we\u2019re doing this,\u201d said Shannon Conner, a client of Sit Means Sit Dog Training. Her dogs, Jet and Dash, are two young doberman sisters who have been in the program since they were puppies.<\/p>\n<p><a href=\"https:\/\/sitmeanssit.com\/dog-training-mu\/portland-dog-training\/files\/2017\/02\/IMG_7712.jpg\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"wp-image-996 alignleft\" src=\"https:\/\/sitmeanssit.com\/dog-training-mu\/portland-dog-training\/files\/2017\/02\/IMG_7712.jpg\" alt=\"IMG_7712\" width=\"415\" height=\"277\" srcset=\"https:\/\/sitmeanssit.com\/dog-training-mu\/portland-dog-training\/files\/2017\/02\/IMG_7712.jpg 1620w, https:\/\/sitmeanssit.com\/dog-training-mu\/portland-dog-training\/files\/2017\/02\/IMG_7712-300x200.jpg 300w, https:\/\/sitmeanssit.com\/dog-training-mu\/portland-dog-training\/files\/2017\/02\/IMG_7712-768x512.jpg 768w, https:\/\/sitmeanssit.com\/dog-training-mu\/portland-dog-training\/files\/2017\/02\/IMG_7712-1024x683.jpg 1024w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 415px) 100vw, 415px\" \/><\/a>\u201cOur goal is just to get them out,\u201d Shannon continued. \u201cThey\u2019re such well-behaved dogs thank to Sit Means Sit and all the training that we\u2019ve done. We just want to share them and give back t<br \/>\no the community and go to retirement homes, schools\u2014wherever we can get them.\u201d<\/p>\n<p>Afterwards, they went to a fire station, where the dogs worked around a ladder truck with sirens blaring. Getting them used to all kinds of sounds and distractions is key for a successful therapy and crisis dog. Not to mention, the firemen loved them.<\/p>\n<p>The team ended the weekend with mock TSA airport security drills. Airports can be a stressful place, so learning how to get dogs through security quickly and efficiently is important in handling a reliable therapy or service animal.<\/p>\n<p><a href=\"https:\/\/sitmeanssit.com\/dog-training-mu\/portland-dog-training\/files\/2017\/02\/IMG_7727.jpg\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"wp-image-992 alignright\" src=\"https:\/\/sitmeanssit.com\/dog-training-mu\/portland-dog-training\/files\/2017\/02\/IMG_7727.jpg\" alt=\"IMG_7727\" width=\"378\" height=\"284\" srcset=\"https:\/\/sitmeanssit.com\/dog-training-mu\/portland-dog-training\/files\/2017\/02\/IMG_7727.jpg 3264w, https:\/\/sitmeanssit.com\/dog-training-mu\/portland-dog-training\/files\/2017\/02\/IMG_7727-300x225.jpg 300w, https:\/\/sitmeanssit.com\/dog-training-mu\/portland-dog-training\/files\/2017\/02\/IMG_7727-768x576.jpg 768w, https:\/\/sitmeanssit.com\/dog-training-mu\/portland-dog-training\/files\/2017\/02\/IMG_7727-1024x768.jpg 1024w, https:\/\/sitmeanssit.com\/dog-training-mu\/portland-dog-training\/files\/2017\/02\/IMG_7727-800x600.jpg 800w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 378px) 100vw, 378px\" \/><\/a>For Kimberly Bernards-Wright and her dog, Luka, she hopes they can visit children in the hospital who are battling cancer. Luka is a Cheaspeak Bay \/ Australian Shepherd-mix who went through Sit Means Sit\u2019s in-home training sessions.<\/p>\n<p>\u201cLuka is adventurous,\u201d Kimberly said. \u201cShe\u2019s not afraid of anything. She\u2019s a goofball. She\u2019s loving. She always wants to go put her head on everybody\u2019s lap. I love that about her.\u201d<\/p>\n<p>Teresa Bonnell has trained two of her dogs through Sit Means Sit. This weekend, she enlisted the help of her 1-year-old German Shepherd, Marco. Together, they had many encounters throughout the weekend that enforced the power of therapy dogs for Teresa.<\/p>\n<p><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"wp-image-1003 alignleft\" src=\"https:\/\/sitmeanssit.com\/dog-training-mu\/portland-dog-training\/files\/2017\/02\/IMG_7734-1.jpg\" alt=\"IMG_7734\" width=\"261\" height=\"346\" srcset=\"https:\/\/sitmeanssit.com\/dog-training-mu\/portland-dog-training\/files\/2017\/02\/IMG_7734-1.jpg 2420w, https:\/\/sitmeanssit.com\/dog-training-mu\/portland-dog-training\/files\/2017\/02\/IMG_7734-1-227x300.jpg 227w, https:\/\/sitmeanssit.com\/dog-training-mu\/portland-dog-training\/files\/2017\/02\/IMG_7734-1-768x1017.jpg 768w, https:\/\/sitmeanssit.com\/dog-training-mu\/portland-dog-training\/files\/2017\/02\/IMG_7734-1-773x1024.jpg 773w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 261px) 100vw, 261px\" \/>\u201cI was unprepared for the emotional toll that it takes to be out interacting with so many people that you just want to keep coming back and you don&#8217;t want to leave them where they\u2019re at,\u201d Teresa said. \u201cYou want to stay. They connect with the dog on so many levels and they didn\u2019t want us to leave and I want to go back every day with Marco.<\/p>\n<p>\u201cEven at the Gateway MAX platform, just interacting with a disabled mother and her young son. A Latino family that told me about how they lost their dog to cancer. A couple that had trained guide dogs for the blind that they trained and gave back to a facility. They were no longer able to do that and they really missed it,\u201d Teresa said. \u201cEvery conversation was like that.\u201d<\/p>\n<p>Having a therapy dog requires more than a patient, well-balanced and soft, fluffy dog, though. It also requires incredibly reliable obedience. The owner has to be certain that when she tells her dog to sit, her dog will sit no matter what the environment. Sitting at home with a treat in front of her nose is a much different expectation than sitting in the middle of a retirement home or a busy airport full of people and smells and pieces of food on the ground. But \u201csit\u201d still means \u201csit,\u201d regardless of the temptations and distractions around us.<img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"wp-image-1004 aligncenter\" src=\"https:\/\/sitmeanssit.com\/dog-training-mu\/portland-dog-training\/files\/2017\/02\/IMG_7697.jpg\" alt=\"IMG_7697\" width=\"678\" height=\"508\" srcset=\"https:\/\/sitmeanssit.com\/dog-training-mu\/portland-dog-training\/files\/2017\/02\/IMG_7697.jpg 2048w, https:\/\/sitmeanssit.com\/dog-training-mu\/portland-dog-training\/files\/2017\/02\/IMG_7697-300x225.jpg 300w, https:\/\/sitmeanssit.com\/dog-training-mu\/portland-dog-training\/files\/2017\/02\/IMG_7697-768x576.jpg 768w, https:\/\/sitmeanssit.com\/dog-training-mu\/portland-dog-training\/files\/2017\/02\/IMG_7697-1024x768.jpg 1024w, https:\/\/sitmeanssit.com\/dog-training-mu\/portland-dog-training\/files\/2017\/02\/IMG_7697-800x600.jpg 800w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 678px) 100vw, 678px\" \/><\/p>\n<p>\u201cI\u00a0think the hardest thing for dogs are all those real-life distractions,\u201d said Sam, a trainer at Sit Means Sit. \u201cYou never know out in the real world what\u2019s going to be coming around the corner, so being able to keep your dog under control and not going too crazy in the world is really important.\u201d<\/p>\n<p><a href=\"https:\/\/sitmeanssit.com\/dog-training-mu\/portland-dog-training\/files\/2017\/02\/IMG_7720.jpg\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"wp-image-1005 alignleft\" src=\"https:\/\/sitmeanssit.com\/dog-training-mu\/portland-dog-training\/files\/2017\/02\/IMG_7720.jpg\" alt=\"IMG_7720\" width=\"356\" height=\"474\" srcset=\"https:\/\/sitmeanssit.com\/dog-training-mu\/portland-dog-training\/files\/2017\/02\/IMG_7720.jpg 810w, https:\/\/sitmeanssit.com\/dog-training-mu\/portland-dog-training\/files\/2017\/02\/IMG_7720-225x300.jpg 225w, https:\/\/sitmeanssit.com\/dog-training-mu\/portland-dog-training\/files\/2017\/02\/IMG_7720-768x1024.jpg 768w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 356px) 100vw, 356px\" \/><\/a>Sit Means Sit Dog Training have helped our clients to gain this level of control and reliability with their dogs through our board-and-train programs, our one-on-one lessons and our group classes. Sam said group classes are one of the best ways to create distracting scenarios that put our dogs\u2019 training to the test.<\/p>\n<p>\u201cJust being able to have their attention in those situations, in our group classes, being able to put them in situations where there\u2019s multiple dogs and multiple people, and being able to control your dog in those situations is key,\u201d Sam said.<\/p>\n<p>Stacey Pittman, who owns Jet and Dash with Shannon, said Sit Means Sit Dog Training is the perfect fit for them and their dogs.<\/p>\n<p>\u201cWhen we found Sit Means Sit, it was just a match made in heaven,\u201d Stacey said. \u201cSit Means Sit teaches you everything you need to know in a controlled environment, where you can put these dogs out in fantastic community events like we did this weekend, and we\u2019re just totally blown away.\u201d<\/p>\n<p>For Kimberly and Luka, Sit Means Sit has helped them realize what they\u2019re capable of together.<\/p>\n<p>\u201cSit Means Sit has helped us with our confidence\u2014confidence in Luka, confidence in me, recognizing our potential and helping us figure out what we need to do to get there.\u201d<\/p>\n<p><a href=\"https:\/\/sitmeanssit.com\/dog-training-mu\/portland-dog-training\/files\/2017\/02\/IMG_7696.jpg\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"size-full wp-image-1006 aligncenter\" src=\"https:\/\/sitmeanssit.com\/dog-training-mu\/portland-dog-training\/files\/2017\/02\/IMG_7696.jpg\" alt=\"IMG_7696\" width=\"2048\" height=\"1536\" srcset=\"https:\/\/sitmeanssit.com\/dog-training-mu\/portland-dog-training\/files\/2017\/02\/IMG_7696.jpg 2048w, https:\/\/sitmeanssit.com\/dog-training-mu\/portland-dog-training\/files\/2017\/02\/IMG_7696-300x225.jpg 300w, https:\/\/sitmeanssit.com\/dog-training-mu\/portland-dog-training\/files\/2017\/02\/IMG_7696-768x576.jpg 768w, https:\/\/sitmeanssit.com\/dog-training-mu\/portland-dog-training\/files\/2017\/02\/IMG_7696-1024x768.jpg 1024w, https:\/\/sitmeanssit.com\/dog-training-mu\/portland-dog-training\/files\/2017\/02\/IMG_7696-800x600.jpg 800w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 2048px) 100vw, 2048px\" \/><\/a>At Sit Means Sit Dog Training, we are proud of our clients this weekend who have raised the bar of their training and strived for the next level of reliability in their dogs. Each of them went through months, if not years, of training with Sit Means Sit and each one passed the American Kennel Club Canine Good Citizen Test, which allowed them to become members of the GO TEAM.<\/p>\n<p>Now, they\u2019re ready to provide comfort and assistance to the Portland-metro area whenever needed\u2014whether it\u2019s a visit to the hospital, a school or university, an assisted-living home, a library or anywhere else in need of a little joy from our pets.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>In the summer of 2012, the Waldo Canyon fire ignited four miles outside of Colorado Springs, burning nearly 20,000 acres. More than 32,000 people were forced to evacuate as the fire destroyed nearly 350 homes. In the midst of the fire, two clients of Sit Means Sit Dog Training took their therapy dogs to a&#8230;<\/p>\n<div><a href=\"https:\/\/sitmeanssit.com\/dog-training-mu\/portland-dog-training\/blog\/sit-means-sit-clients-and-therapy-dogs-join-the-go-team\/\"><b>Read More <i class=\"fas fa-angle-right\"><\/i><\/b><\/a><\/div>\n","protected":false},"author":51,"featured_media":1001,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_acf_changed":false,"footnotes":""},"categories":[135],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-991","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-blog"],"acf":[],"aioseo_notices":[],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/sitmeanssit.com\/dog-training-mu\/portland-dog-training\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/991","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/sitmeanssit.com\/dog-training-mu\/portland-dog-training\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/sitmeanssit.com\/dog-training-mu\/portland-dog-training\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/sitmeanssit.com\/dog-training-mu\/portland-dog-training\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/51"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/sitmeanssit.com\/dog-training-mu\/portland-dog-training\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=991"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/sitmeanssit.com\/dog-training-mu\/portland-dog-training\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/991\/revisions"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/sitmeanssit.com\/dog-training-mu\/portland-dog-training\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/1001"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/sitmeanssit.com\/dog-training-mu\/portland-dog-training\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=991"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/sitmeanssit.com\/dog-training-mu\/portland-dog-training\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=991"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/sitmeanssit.com\/dog-training-mu\/portland-dog-training\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=991"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}