The Right Dog for the Job: Ira's Path from Service Dog to Guide Dog

by Dorothy Hinshaw Patent, William Muñoz (Photographer)

Follow an adorable Golden Retriever as he trains to become a helper for the disabled.

Ira was not born to be an ordinary dog. A few weeks after his birth, a foster puppy trainer with PawsAbilities, Canine Partners for People with Disabilities, took him home to begin his training as a Service Dog. Service dogs help people who have a lot of difficulty moving around on their own. To become one, Ira must learn how to retrieve dropped keys; press a wheelchair sign to open doors; ride a bus; sit quietly in loud, distracting places; and do many other difficult tasks. Not many dogs can do all that!

Fortunately, Ira is smart and confident, and he is able to pass his Service Dog test. Unfortunately, the new facility that Ira needs to attend for more detailed training isn’t ready. What will happen to Ira? Will he be able to learn a new career as a Guide Dog for the Blind?

•This true story shows the immense impact service and guide dogs have on the lives of the disabled, and what it takes for them to have that impact.

• Adorable, full-color photographs bring children into Ira’s life and let them connect with him in a very personal way.

• See how sixth graders helped train Ira, and hear how they felt about the experience.

Genres: Nonfiction, Animals, Childrens, Dogs

32 pages, Paperback

First published January 1, 2004

About the author

As a child, my favorite activity was exploring nature, especially finding animals like frogs, toads, and lizards. I kept tropical fish, had a dog, and loved riding horses. My love of animals led to a Ph.D. degree from U.C. Berkley in Zoology. In grad school I met and married fellow student Greg Patent. Our two sons, David and Jason, were born before we finished school. I wanted to use my training and my knowledge, but I also wanted to raise my sons and be there for them when they needed me. I decided that writing the kind of books I'd always loved reading was a good solution to my dilemma, and that turned out to be true. One of my favorite things is learning new "stuff," and every time I tackle a new book project I get to indulge myself in that passion. I'm a lucky gal!

Fast forward to the present. Our sons are grown and have their own families. We live in Missoula, MT, where Greg is now a food writer (http://www.thebakingwizard.com) and a radio personality (httpp://www.mtpr.org--look for Food Guys). My writing has expanded to other nonfiction topics, especially ones dealing with the Westward Expansion period of U.S. history. I've taught writing classes in many venues, visited schools in most U.S. states, attended many conferences for teachers and librarians, won a number of awards, and had great travel adventures in pursuit of my subject matter.

Reviews

[Cathy · Rating 4 out of 5]

When I recently read the author's fantastic Dogs on Duty: Soldiers' Best Friends on the Battlefield and Beyond, I was so impressed with the way it conveyed the information to the children without condescending to them. It made me wonder what other books of the authors I might enjoy. This book, about Ira's journey from service dog to guide dog, seemed right up my alley. I have friends who've tried to train their own service dogs and I'm somewhat aware of what a task it can be. I knew the author would present it in a way that children and adults reading the book would be able to understand the scope of the undertaking and be inspiring by the dogs and people who choose to work together with the goal of creating service or guide dog partnerships that open up the work for their human partners. And it was fun to see how many people it takes over the two years or more of raising the puppy to get him or hit ready to be a service dog. It really does take a village.

It was nice when Ira, now Irah to avoid confusion with another dog, and Don, his handler, were able to go back to the school where Ira spent a lot of his growing up and training time for the kids' 8th grade graduation. The kids got a special visitor and got to see how happy he was. But as an adult reader, the page I like best was seeing Don & Irah go to work together, Don at the piano tuning and Irah doing just what he learned in the school from the kids, waiting quietly until he's needed again. 2 guys working together. That's what the whole thing was about.

Clearly I shouldn't write reviews when I'm tired, makes me sentimental. It's a short, sweet book for kids with lots of puppy pictures. No hidden agendas, no sales pitches. Just a nice brief description of how puppies can be trained to become service or guide dogs.

[babyhippoface · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is a nice look at the life of a young dog being trained to be a service dog, then a guide dog. Interesting reading alongside crisp photos of the adorable pup in action.

[Kristi Maurer · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is a very touching book about the life and training of Ira, a golden retriever. The author takes you through his puppy years, and walks you through his years as trainers prepare him to be a service dog and later, a guide dog. Children will enjoy the parts that describe a class of sixth graders who help in the training. Readers will have the opportunity to celebrate at the end of the book when Ira is reunited with the children two years later at their eighth grade graduation. I would use this book, along with others, in the classroom when teaching about disabilities. Animals lovers will especially appreciate this book.

[Tricia · Rating 3 out of 5]

Book discusses how dogs are trained from birth as working dogs...from training to placement. Includes large, colorful photos to demonstrate points.

[Kathy Maggiacomo · Rating 5 out of 5]

Great nonfiction book for dog lovers. I loved learning about service dogs and how they are trained from puppies. Ira is one of three Ivy and Ike and their mother Brea. The mother cares for them about 8 weeks. At 4 weeks puppy food is introduced. We learn about foster puppy raisers and then their training after. It's a lot of work to train a service dog. I think students will enjoy hearing about Ira's puppy raiser being a teacher and bringing him to school. I like that it has a happy ending and that the students weren't forgotten.

[Lagobond · Rating 5 out of 5]

I really enjoyed this one. Showcases the amazing amount of dedication, love, and effort that goes into training a guide dog for the blind. Plenty of photos show the dog's path from newborn puppy to fully trained professional with an important job. We get to meet the many caring people who participated in his education.

This is appropriate for little kids (maybe age 3 and up?) all the way through middle school. Beware, however, that your child may well end up begging you for a dog!

[J · Rating 4 out of 5]

Great non-fiction read on the training of a service dog. My students and I enjoyed it.

[Kenneth · Rating 3 out of 5]

A short look at the process from beginning to end, of how service dogs are trained.
A very nice book to read to a child concerning a great organization, PawsAbilities.

[Zukka Shokka · Rating 5 out of 5]

love the dogs

[Wings Of Fire 4 LIFE · Rating 3 out of 5]

I really didn’t like this book at all

[Karen White]

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[Justine]

it is good and it has informaition

[Lacey · Rating 4 out of 5]

My daughter died this book out but she is two and this one was very wordy. We will have to try again in a few years. Still very cute! Love golden retrievers and love dogs, hence why she picked it.

[Tracey Jo Williams]

Story about how dogs can become service dogs and what they do.

[Beth · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is an inspiring tale. Children love to learn about Ira and the photographs.