Brian Bartoz supplied the photographs.
Editor’s note: The local service organization, Wa-Tan-Ye, hosted a brunch on Saturday, June 30, 2018, in the Fellowship Hall of Morrison United Methodist Church, 200 W. Lincolnway, Morrison, IL. Morrison Junior High School Counselor Jackie Wiersema was the Guest Speaker. She was accompanied by her Certified Assistance Dog, Kaiser. She discussed her role as owner and handler of two-year-old Kaiser, a Giant Schnauzer-Standard Poodle mix called a “Giant Schnoodle.” Kaiser works with students in Morrison’s schools. He is one of two four-footed additions to the District staff. Read more about the local Certified Assistance Dog project which began with Wiersema, and meet Elementary School Counselor Steve Braasch, who owns Bo, a two-year-old Border Collie-Lab mixed breed.
The following article is by Brian Bartoz.
Morrison-area residents learned how a Certified Assistance Dog can serve people of all ages, during a brunch program on Saturday, June 30, 2018, featuring Morrison Junior High School Counselor Jackie Wiersema and Kaiser, a two-year-old Giant Schnauzer/Standard Poodle mix, who joined Morrison Community Unit School District #6 earlier this spring.
The event [was] sponsored by the community service organization Wa-Tan-Ye and held at the Morrison United Methodist Church of Morrison,IL. [It] helped…raise funds for the scholarship that it awards each year to a Morrison High School graduating Senior girl who wishes to further her education.
During the program, Wiersema discussed the process through which she and former Morrison Elementary Counselor Steve Braasch were able to acquire Kaiser from CARES, Inc. (Canine Assistance Rehabilitation Education and Services) of Concordia, KS.
Within Morrison District #6, Kaiser serves as a receptive audience for emerging readers, a friendly companion for students who need time to relax in a quiet setting, and an eager playmate for students who have earned reward time for meeting behavior-based goals during the day, Wiersema said. Kaiser, who comes to work with Wiersema each school day, has performed capably during the last few months, Wiersema noted.
Other therapy dogs trained by CARES, Inc. are trained specifically to alert persons with diabetes to major changes in their glucose levels; alert individuals with epilepsy and other conditions to potential seizures; pick up dropped objects; provide physical support for persons who have difficulty standing or balancing, among other tasks, Wiersema noted.
After attendees enjoyed breakfast casseroles, pastries, fruit, coffee, and orange juice served by Wa-Tan-Ye, Kaiser and Wiersema demonstrated the “brace” position. A dog takes a wide stance and stands still to allow a person to balance, by placing his or her hands on the dog’s back. Through regular practice, Kaiser has also been trained to push the electronic button to open a door accessible to persons with disabilities, Wiersema said.
Kaiser also demonstrated his playful side by retrieving a ball that Wiersema tossed across the floor, offering his paw in a handshake, and by walking through the room to greet attendees at their seats. Earlier in the presentation, he stayed true to his training by not picking up a ball that Wiersema placed in front of him until he received permission from her to grasp it in his mouth.
Jan Horberg, Wa-Tan-Ye President, at right, with Wiersema and Kaiser, said that the group will hold a soup and sandwich luncheon on Saturday, November 17, at Morrison United Methodist Church to benefit other charitable initiatives that [the service organization] supports.
