Page 17 2024 Animal Stories Lincoln Daily News February 2024 They began researching how to get a service dog for Willow, initially working with a local non-profit that trains service dogs and gives them to families at no charge. The family hoped it would work, but the agency changed their minds towards the end of the application process. Though disheartened, the Merritt family soon found a psychiatric service dog organization and met Aspen, a 13-week-old Sheepdog Poodle mix bred with the intention of becoming a psychiatric service dog. As they shared the story with the organization, Jodie said they became even more confident getting a service dog would be the best move. First, though, they needed to raise funds to attain a service dog through this organization. The total costs for the dog, training, long term support and other items would be $17,000. The family started a GoFundMe Campaign with the goal of raising $15,000. Within days of posting the campaign on their Facebook and sharing Willow’s story on WAND news, the family had raised the money. Aspen joined the family on November 26, 2022, and quickly became part of the family. An update on Willow and Aspen After spending several months with the family and getting acclimated to their routines, Aspen had to complete specialized training. Over the summer, Aspen went through ten weeks of specialized training to work on socially acceptable behaviors and obedience training. Jodie says socially acceptable behavior is important for a service dog because it needs to be able to be in social situations and act appropriately. It shouldn’t sniff people walking by or lick food off the floor. It shouldn’t bark if startled. She was also trained on specific commands. At the end of her 10 weeks away, the Merritts joined her for certified handlers training. Continued --
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