Future leader wags his way into sector's hearts

  • Published
  • By Staff Sgt. A.C. Eggman
  • 62nd Airlift Wing Public Affairs
MCCHORD AIR FORCE BASE, Wash. (AFPN) --  He wears a green cape, but he cannot leap tall buildings with a single bound nor can he drive a super-charged car. He does not live in familiar places like Metropolis or Gotham City.

However, this four-legged, soon-to-be hero can be seen running around the hallways of the Western Air Defense Sector here learning his "special skills."

Kendall, a 4-month-old yellow Labrador retriever, "is in training to be someone's eyes as a future guide dog," said Staff Sgt. Ellen Laguatan, a computer technician with the Western Air Defense Sector.

Laguatan and Kendall are part of the Guide Dogs for the Blind program. The nonprofit organization provides qualified individuals with guide dogs whose skills are developed and nurtured by volunteers and a professional staff at local chapters. The school has provided more than 10,000 dogs to blind people since its inception in May 1942.

Laguatan volunteered her services to become a guide dog "raiser" in late September after learning the local Humane Society where she wanted to volunteer did not need her help.

"They had so many volunteers they couldn't use me," she said.

The sergeant then met a woman who was a member in the Guide Dogs for the Blind program. After a few minutes of chitchat, Laguatan was intrigued.

She made a phone call for more information, discussed it with her family, and decided it was "a great way to work with animals and help humans, too," she said.

"The most important aspect of the puppies' training occurs between birth and 18 months," said Laguatan. "During this time, they are assigned to raisers."

When dogs are about 9 weeks old, they are placed in the homes of puppy raisers to experience life in a family atmosphere. While in the homes, the puppies learn basic obedience and social skills. This way, the puppies are exposed to a variety of social situations, as preparation for their future formal training as guides.

"Volunteer puppy raisers are an integral part of this process," Laguatan said.

Raisers do not automatically receive a puppy. First the trainer has to be trained. Laguatan went through nearly 10 weeks of training. The length of training varies from person-to-person. Even after training is complete, there is still a trial period. The raiser is given a more experienced dog to work with before receiving a puppy.

Raisers begin "training their charges (puppies) from the moment they are received," she said. Also, the entire family must agree to all the rules and help enforce them.

Laguatan's husband, Master Sgt. Hank Laguatan from the 446th Airlift Wing, and son, Keane, 17, sometimes take Kendall to work or school with them. But she is the primary raiser, she said.

The puppies are required to be in the raiser's presence at all times. This includes taking the puppy shopping, to school, going out to eat, and even on vacation.

"Most people are very inquisitive and supportive," said Laguatan. "We've taken him to restaurants, the base exchange, commissary ... we take him everywhere."

Everywhere also includes work. Laguatan had to get permission before Kendall was awarded honorary co-worker status.

According to Col. John Cromwell, WADS commander, the entire team is behind her efforts.

"We are glad to have the opportunity to support the local community through Sergeant Laguatan's involvement with the Guide Dogs for the Blind," Cromwell said.

When Kendall goes to work at WADS, it is not all rub-my-belly and scratch-behind-my-ears days. When the green cape is on, it is all on-the-job training.

"While raisers devote time, patience and love to their puppies in training, they also need the understanding of the community in which they live and work," Laguatan explained. "No one can touch him. He needs to be aware of his environment, stay focused on his training and his handler, not the people around him. When you pet a guide dog, you distract them from their job and over stimulate the pup; this can cause serious problems down the road."

Kendall even has a patch on his cape that states, "Please ask before petting."

But when the cape is off, "then it's play time," said Laguatan. But most of the time, the young pup stays curled up under Laguatan's desk.

So how do the two-legged WADS' members react to Kendall?

"It's been very positive," she said. "Some people say it's even therapeutic."

Kendall has been a guest of the Laguatan family since January. But the family has not been left to their own devices to train Kendall.

In the Tacoma area, raisers meet monthly to discuss training techniques or problems they might have with an individual puppy. The puppies are put through several drills during these meetings to evaluate their progression. The meeting gives the group leader a chance to correct the raiser if the proper technique is not being used.

Puppies are taught 13 basic commands during the 18-month assignment with their raiser, including sit, stay, down, stand and wait.

During the training, there are several restrictions on raisers. Some restrictions include not allowing the puppies on the couch, sleeping in the bed, no licking the raisers' face or putting their paws on them. The restrictions are in place so the trainer and puppy do not bond.

But no matter how hard the raiser may try, there is always a little bonding, she said.

"It's hard (to let them go)," Laguatan said. "Especially the first one."

After the dogs are trained as guides and paired with students, the raisers are invited to graduation at a campus in San Rafael, Calif., or Boring, Ore., to make a formal presentation and share in the ceremony.

"You get to give the pup to the person who you were training him for," she said. "It's moving ... but there are still tears when you drop them off."