Meet June and Her Service Dog: Monty
Courtesy: MobilityDog.org
Monty and June are an inseparable service dog/handler pair. They (but mainly June – Monty is a poor typist) have been kind enough to answer a few questions that give insights into their relationship.
How long have you and Monty been together? How old is he now?
“Monty is 3 years old and I have had him since June of 2021.”
How would you describe his personality?
“Monty is playful and very vocal. He sometimes becomes a bully when he wants to be petted. He will even jump on my lap to get my attention.”
(Editorial comment: Having Monty jump into your lap must be challenging. He weighs at least 75 pounds.)
What fashion statement is Monty making with his green mohawk?
(Editorial comment: Monty is grey/brown and sports a trendy green mohawk. A punk service dog? Why not?!)
“Monty’s Mohawk wasn’t intended to be a fashion statement or draw more attention, I just thought it would be cool and a way for him to stop being mistaken for a girl or a sheep.”
In what ways is Monty the most helpful to you? What are his main jobs?
“Monty is most helpful by picking up things I drop and helping me change clothes and shoes by tugging at things difficult for me to manipulate.”
(Editorial comment: Given his chic mohawk, Monty obviously has good style sense. Perhaps he also offers June fashion advice.)
Brown Poodle in Training: Courtesy: MobilityDog.org
How has he changed your life?
“Monty has changed my life by allowing me to progress and have growth in throwing, speaking clearly and with volume, managing and building my energy.”
What would you say is his most remarkable ability?
“Knowing what I want with just a look, sigh or whisper.”
(Editorial comment: Like most poodles, Monty is smart and intuitive. Well-trained dogs like Monty of course follow voice commands and hand signals, but also learn to observe and interpret their handler’s moods and other non-verbal cues.)
How do people he encounters in public respond to him?
“In awe and amazement that he is so big. He draws attention but he looks stern most of the time so most people don’t try to get close.”
(Editorial comment: The green mohawk may help him look less threatening.)
What questions (appropriate or inappropriate) do people most often ask you? How do you respond?
“Often, someone will say, ‘I just want to say your dog is so beautiful and well-behaved.’ Many people ask if they can pet him. One little girl said, ‘Look Daddy, a pony!’ She wanted to pet him but was scared. People also ask what kind of service dog he is. Or they want to know if that is his natural hair color. I only respond to the positive questions and not the others.”
What advice would you have for someone considering getting a mobility service dog?
“Consider the goals you want for your life. A service dog is not the “easy route” but it’s a route that doesn’t leave you lonely, lacking in love or stagnant in growth, even in areas you didn’t imagine would improve. It’s worth the challenge when you reap rewards for the work you put in to reach your goals.”
(Editorial comment: A companion, human or canine, who can help you reach your goals and reap the rewards is the best kind of partner to have. That’s what Monty is, green mohawk and all, for June.)
Two White Poodles Laying Down Next to Each Other: Courtesy: MobilityDog.org