Taking her home was exciting and lovely - i was able to introduce her to the home surroundings and we had an easy weekend - this is because the training week is so intensive - she needed a weekend of rest to get ready for more training on the Monday.
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| Inca in our local park xx |
On Monday, another colleague of Hearing Dogs for Deaf people called a Partnership Instructor, came to visit me in the home place to introduce her to sounds in my home and work place. whom I did meet( another Lucy !!) during my training week so she could see how we were working together. It also gave her time to prepare for us.
Incas trainer Lucy V - had already collated a report of our week and Inca and me which helped Lucy B my new PI to continue the good work with us.
We began by introducing Inca to the sounds in the home
The door bell, the fire alarms, the alarm clock in the bedroom and where was best for her to sleep so she could access me to wake me up, where to place the oven timer and designated spots for Inca to go to when certain sounds went of like the door intercom.
We also walked locally to shops and went to work to introduce Inca to my workplace and colleagues.
Lucy was a huge support for me especially with showing me things like what type of treats to use and where to get them from, helping me register at the Vet was a huge relief too - so she could explain how and what needed to be done for Inca. It was quite alot to absorb over 4 days - but it was a huge help and also gave me much more confidence in the dos and don ts.
I was handed a really useful handbook so i could go over anything i had forgotten and Lucy also updated this as she went along. Incas has a personal vet record so i can record all her visits and also her weight. As Inca is a Labrador x retriever - she will have a tendency to put weight on - so all her treats are low fat and some of them are taken from her food allowance. Its easy for the weight to creep on so i have to maintain regular weigh ins good exercise and ensure she is the right weight - it helps to make her comfortable whilst working for me and also keeps her healthy.
I also at final last got my ID card - i cant publish what it looks like on here for security reasons but it looks awesome.. this will aid me when visiting public places eg restaurants, cafes, shops, pubs and many more where hygiene may be an issue
i managed to take a further two weeks leave of work after my training week so i could get Inca used to home and also to bond with me. I began by making trips on buses every other day in the week so she would be ready to face the journey i do by bus to work every morning. I also worked on taking her out some days so she was used to wearing her jacket.
Its very different when they come out of training as they have to adjust and adapt so before Inca came home she was given an adaptil collar - this releases pheromones similar to what her mother would release and helps to keep Inca calm. They last for 4 weeks and really did help Inca to settle into my life and home.
It wasn't easy to begin with as there was lots to learn and also a routine for Inca and me to get used to but after two weeks we managed just fine.
Ive realised how much my confidence has begun to improve and also how much more it was easier getting out and about - my family noticed it too so its been a valuable and life changing moment for me.
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| Me and Inca walking on Eastney beach, Portsmouth |
I am still continuing training, me and Inca will continue to bond and work together, Inca is qualified but i need to pass a qualification too to prove that our partnership works so I am still working closely with Lucy to improve this.
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| Lucy B and Inca together in my home while we work together x |
Its still early days - some days are better than others but overall its been the best thing I've ever done in a long time. Shes changed my life already and I'm one very happy person. I hope i can give Inca back the care love and dedication she gives me too as i wished i had applied sooner - yes it was a incredibly long wait but its been a 4 year worth waiting for .. Shes become my ears , companion - and my lifeline ...
I love you Inca xxx
