Santa Clarita / Antelope Valley : Talents Unleashed : Owners Demonstrate Varied Skills of Working Dogs

Tammy, a 5-year-old Labrador and golden retriever mix with light brown hair and eyes, is more than a companion for Jennifer Cabernoch.

Cabernoch, 25 years old and confined to a wheelchair, says Tammy is one of the most important individuals in her life. She boosts Cabernoch’s confidence and helps her meet challenges ranging from dropped keys to high shelves.

“She has made my life very happy and I am glad I have her,” Cabernoch said.

So glad that she and Miranda Alcott founded the Working Dogs Support Group two years ago to educate the public as well as provide social activities for both animals and owners. Cabernoch and Alcott spoke about working dogs to about 30 people Wednesday at the Santa Clarita Valley Senior Center.

“We decided to put this together because we met some resistance,” said Alcott, a Canyon Country resident who works in film, explaining that some restaurant owners have been reluctant to allow working dogs indoors.

The group is trying to demonstrate the entire range of assistance the dogs provide, beyond their service to the blind.

Working dogs are easy to spot in public. They wear a vest printed with “Do Not Pet” to discourage distractions from well-meaning bystanders. They are trained to remain calm in situations that would have most canines barking, running or otherwise out of control.

There are several types of working dogs. Hearing dogs alert hearing-impaired people to noises, service dogs help the wheelchair-bound with physical tasks and social dogs interact with people who have developmental disabilities. Working dogs also serve in arson, K-9 and search-and-rescue operations for police.

Working dogs for the handicapped typically receive about two years of training, learning dozens of commands and actions before they are linked with an owner. The owner, in turn, spends two weeks learning how to reinforce the training and match their needs with the dog’s abilities.

“If I drop something on the floor, she picks it up for me. If it’s too high on the shelf and she won’t knock things over, she will get it,” said Cabernoch, who lives in the Saugus area of Santa Clarita.

Alcott’s 18-month-old border collie, Radar, helped her adjust to the loss of her hearing four years ago. Radar alerts Alcott to important sounds, from her alarm clock in the morning to a ringing doorbell or someone calling her name. The dog is being trained to alert Alcott to approaching sirens on the road.

“If you see a person with a working dog trying to get into a restaurant, into a hospital or wherever and they are having trouble, please support them,” Alcott said.

Organizers of the Working Dogs Support Group are also aware that the animals, despite their specialized training, are still dogs.

“Tammy knows how to open the refrigerator door and get a can,” Cabernoch said. “She can’t distinguish between Pepsi and Coors. You take your chances.”