Joep in action on the dogwalk
First Workshop Para-agility on 21-04-07
Joep in action on the
dogwalk
On 21 april I have organised the
first workshop for handlers with a disability.
We were the gast on dogshool HSVA in Amersfoort.
It's always not easy to plan a date where all can come, so some handlers with
disability couldn't take part.
Some take with their trainer.
We want to talk over/ consult about how to
solve the special problems we have on the courses.
Of course each handler with his disability have his own problems. A
wheelchairuser have sometimes problems because there isn't room enough
between the obstacles, a handler who can walk haven't .
The speed is for all handlers with a
disability a great problem. Because you cann't walk just near your dog and give
him some help.
Also most of the handlers use their service-dog.
These dogs are very atteched of their owner and the training for the dog to go away in the course.......to work indepedent needs a long time and a lot
of patience!
Some trainers do not know how to
learn the obstacles.
My advice always: just train together with the valid handlers in an group, also these need
extra help of the trainer in the begin to learn the obstacles.
Only the poles can give some
problems, because each time when the dog come back out the poles he walk into
the wheelchair....and the dog have learned to avoid. Sometimes it's better to
learn these in the begin by trainer.
Safety for the dog is most important!
Running the course just the way
valid handlers are doing is most of the time not possible.
For wheelchairusers ( sometimes also for bad-walking handlers or with bad-sight)
it's the best way to make routes ( way) straight on, without switches(
turns) like the switch belgium and frans are not possible..sometimes you
can make the switch classic ( just make a switch behind the dog).
By talking about our own experiences we could give eachother, handler and
trainer, some help!
I'm making plans to give another workshop the end of this year...I hope we can
meet more handlers with a disability!!
Participants:
 Eddy Daisomont & Anka (Belgium) |
 Corry van Valkenburg & Yordi |
 Jolanda Bikkel & Oscar |
 Marieke Dijkman & Isca and Phila |
 Patricia Fuchs & Kyona |
 Susan Rekveld & Quita and Joep |
photo's maked by Jolanda Bikkel ( www.papendijk.nl)