F E ATU R E
that’s a good dog Organization bettering lives of many, with some four-legged assistance By Allison Nitch
A positive and lasting relationship begins with the right fit— whether it’s with a friend, spouse or colleague. The same holds true for the dynamic shared between a handler and an assistance dog. Before such a connection develops, a dog must complete intensive training and demonstrate they’re capable of helping people living with special needs, illness or trauma. That’s where Assistance Dogs Northwest (ADNW), a nonprofit organization founded by Seattle University alumna Maureen Dempsey Maurer, ’86, and her husband Will Maurer, comes in. The organization specializes in training service dogs to help adults and children with limited mobility, as well as full-time facility dogs for hospitals and courthouses. “Daily visits from a hospital facility dog can bring joy and instill a sense of hope,” says Maureen, ADNW executive director with more than 20 years of experience in the assistance dogs industry. “Our courthouse facility dogs help children who are victims of crime find their voices during interviews, medical exams and while testifying in court.” On a sunny morning in June, the bucolic ADNW campus tucked away on Bainbridge Island is buzzing with activity. Inside a bright and airy converted barn, the last day of a training camp for the season is underway. Maureen, who oversees the training, instructs two new handlers and their Labrador retriever assistance dogs through the 90 commands they’ve been finetuning throughout the week. Meanwhile ADNW staff members 0 8 S E AT T L E U N I V E R S I T Y M AG A Z I N E | FA L L 2 01 9
set up a variety of distraction scenarios the dogs may encounter, including someone trying to pet them and food being dropped on the floor. One handler is Mike Chalupa, a retired farmer and Bainbridge resident living with multiple sclerosis. Chalupa has quickly bonded with his dog, Brittany, who eagerly maintains strong eye contact with him throughout each command. She proudly wags her tail whenever he enthusiastically praises her for a job well done. “Maureen’s knowledge and years of experience truly make this program what it is,” says Chalupa. “What she does is just incredible. I never thought something like this could happen.” “It’s amazing how many tasks Brittany can help Mike with,” says wife Janet Chalupa. “She’ll warm his heart for years to come.” Another handler-in-training is Julie Siepmann, clinical services director and principal forensic interviewer for a child abuse intervention center. She’s been paired with MacDougal, who will serve as a courthouse facility dog. “MacDougal will work to help lower the stress and anxiety children may feel during medical exams and forensic interviews,” says Siepmann. “The victims are the only ones that didn’t ask to be there. Also, due to the difficult nature of our work in the legal system, Mac’s presence during multi-disciplinary team meetings is another form of comfort and support he’ll provide.”
