With eyes closed, one is usually able to tell when an infant child is present due to the incoherent babblings of joy and admiration that occur amongst the onlookers regardless of age, gender or cultural background. These behavioral patterns can also be anticipated when encountering animals, eliciting affectionate tones and touches with great fervor. Such was the response from the Luttrell family to the golden Labrador, Daisy. harron was particularly elated due to the fact that she was still experiencing CDD (Canine Deficit Disorder) due to the loss of their German Shepherd, Tucker. Daisy’s presence managed to alleviate the loss, but brought much more to this family than was expected. She was being trained as a service dog for the impaired and, as only an animal can do, was able to ‘teach’ this family and her trainer lessons of faith, trust and love that were not to be forgotten.
In certain sections of this country, correctional facilities are being used to train service dogs. Inmates are chosen, very selectively, to guide these dogs through a specific program that will eventually allow them to work with clients who have needs emotionally, physically and in educational settings. In order to totally sensitize these animals, they are given to families on weekends to ensure internalization of their instructive behaviors, enabling utilization in all situations. Daisy’s inmate trainer, Keith, and her weekend facilitator, Sharron, presented with insecurities that would overwhelmingly categorize them as needy clients. They actually became Daisy’s pupils, learning that life is a journey and although fraught with challenges, can provide hope if one is willing to trust, demonstrate tolerance and patience and, most of all, love unconditionally. Lest we forget, animals do not acknowledge criminal behavior or emotional disfigurement…the countenance of faith is their only substantive criteria.
This is an endearing story. It clearly demonstrates how fragile and somewhat self-destructive we can be, forcing the obvious to become unnoticed. Blessedly, these creatures, like Daisy, have an uncanny way of entering a situation without baggage, forging a pathway into our hearts and becoming steadfast whether it be for a weekend or nevermore.