Clean Run Magazine - July 2007 - 20

© ROXANNE FRANKLIN PHOTOGRAPHY On Course with Ron Heller By Amy Siegel Since 2000, The American Kennel Club has recognized the extraordinary canine-human bond and has expressed its appreciation for the innumerable ways in which dogs meaningfully contribute to our lives with the annual American Kennel Club Award for Canine Excellence (ACE). To qualify, a dog is required to be AKC registered or registerable, and have performed some exemplary act, whether large or seemingly small, that has signiﬁcantly beneﬁted a community or individual. One award is given every year in each of the following ﬁve categories: Law Enforcement, Search and Rescue, Therapy, Service, and Exemplary Companion Dog. In 2006, Ron Heller of Carlisle, Pennsylvania, and his Golden Retriever K.D. were the recipients of the Exemplary Companion Dog award. Active agility competitors, Ron and six-year-old K.D. have excelled in a sport that is said to require agility and speed, not only in the dog, but in the handler as well. Ron, affected by cerebral palsy and with limited mobility, has proved that you can accomplish anything you set your mind to. Together, he and K.D. have earned Master Excellent and Agility Excellent Jumper titles. AS: Tell us a little bit about cerebral palsy and its effect on you. AS: Who do you train with and how have they inﬂuenced you? RH: I have been afﬂicted with a mild case of cerebral palsy since birth. CP is considered a handicap or disability, two words that I use interchangeably. The limitations that this handicap places on me affect my balance, walking, and running. Another area I have problems with is ﬁne-motor skills such as writing, buttoning buttons, or carrying and holding a glass of water. AS: When did you and K.D. ﬁrst discover agility? RH: Actually, my black Lab, Bucky, and I discovered agility about nine years ago. K.D. started her agility experience at about 12 weeks of age. AS: Was K.D. a pet or a service dog before you started agility? I currently train with and teach for the Bella Vista Training Center in Lewisberry, Pennsylvania. Everyone in this organization has inﬂuenced me in numerous ways. I have never before been associated with such a fantastic group of people who I am proud to have as my friends. They have been a constant source of encouragement in our weekly training sessions and at agility trials. In the past few years that I have been associated with this group, my conﬁdence and self-esteem have increased dramatically. Everyone at Bella Vista has such a way of ﬁnding and encouraging each individual’s strengths. At the same time they are always there to support any weaknesses and help that individual grow. I owe them a lot. AS: What are the most difficult obstructions you’ve had to overcome to run a course? RH: K.D. is primarily my companion. However, over the years and through her agility training K.D. has taken on many roles. She will help me get back on my feet when I fall (it does happen occasionally on or off the course). K.D. easily took on the role as my companion service dog. She is the bridge that has allowed me to make so many new friends and become part of a new community. RH: Before I could even consider running a course, I had to teach my own body how to run and give cues at the same time while keeping my balance. The next major challenge was ﬁguring out how to let K.D. know when she was correct and to deliver a reward. With my ﬁne-motor difﬁculties, I cannot throw a toy or deliver a treat in a timely way because my hand will not open Clean Run | July 07 20

Clean Run Magazine - July 2007

Table of Contents for the Digital Edition of Clean Run Magazine - July 2007