BSCHIRLOFF from the Parkinson's Action Network asked about dogs trained to
help PWP.  Attached are two earlier posts to this list:

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Date: Wed, 14 Jan 1998 15:00:30 -0700 From: Nancy Burnham <[log in to unmask]>
Subject: dogs

Found the following info on the Mayo Heath [log in to unmask] Nancy B cg for Don 64/14

Dogs help people with Parkinson's: Specially trained dogs are giving people
with Parkinson's disease the support they need to maintain independence. The
dogs, trained by Independence Dogs, Inc., of Chadds Ford, Penn., are used to
turn on light switches, pull wheelchairs and open doors for people disabled by
Parkinson's. "Pet therapy - Medical specialists on four legs" examines how
dogs may benefit people, including children, who are ill or disabled.
http://www.mayohealth.org/mayo/9701/htm/pet_ther.htm For the full story on
dogs and people with Parkinson's disease, see "Dog proves to be best friend
for Parkinson's sufferer" on CNN's health site.
http://cnn.com/HEALTH/9712/29/parkinsons.dogs/index.html
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Date: Thu, 20 Nov 1997 11:54:21 -0500 From: "LIST Helen K. Mason"
<[log in to unmask]> Subject: guide dogs for PD


Date: Wednesday, November 19, 1997 2:07:28 PM From: AOL News Subj: Canines
Care For Parkinson's Disease Patients; Dogs Help Relieve Debilitating Sy

PHILADELPHIA, Nov. 19 /PRNewswire/ --
 Dogs have been helping people with disabilities lead independent lives for
nearly seventy years. Now, for the first time, man's best friend is being
taught to aid Parkinson's disease patients whose declining muscle coordination
has led to difficulty with walking, frequent falling and difficulty carrying
out other simple tasks.
   This pilot program is a joint effort by Independence Dogs, Inc. (IDI), a
non-profit organization, Pennsylvania Hospital, a part of the University of
Pennsylvania Health System, and SmithKline Beecham (NYSE: SBH) to train dogs
in assisting Parkinson's disease patients with severe symptoms that cannot
currently be alleviated by medications alone. "As Parkinson's disease
progresses, many patients have difficulty walking which often leads to a
compromised quality of life. Two of the most severe symptoms that patients
typically experience are freezing, a phenomenon by which patients suddenly
halt movement and freeze in place requiring a cue to continue moving, and loss
of balance which causes them to fall frequently," said Matthew B. Stern, M.D.,
director of the Parkinson's disease and Movement Disorders Center,
Pennsylvania Hospital, a part of University of Pennsylvania Health System.
 "By training the dogs to tap a patients' foot with their paw, we have been
able to break the cycle associated with freezing. The dogs are also trained to
stay by the patient's side so that if they begin to stumble the patient can
use the dog's harness as a crutch to regain balance. These dogs have
significantly reduced my patients' tendency to fall." All dogs involved in
this initiative received approximately a year and a half of basic training. As
each dog's unique personality and temperament emerged, he or she was carefully
matched with a Parkinson's disease patient.
  IDI trainers then spent hundreds of hours training the dogs to meet the
patient's individual needs. The final training included a three-week session
at IDI with patient and dog. These dogs help patients perform everyday tasks
including opening doors, climbing stairs, retrieving dropped objects, picking
up the telephone receiver and turning light switches on and off. They also
offer Parkinson's disease patients the security and companionship often needed
to give them the confidence to get out of the house more frequently.
   One Man's Story Russell Moore, a retired dairy worker and father of twelve,
has had Parkinson's disease for almost nine years and despite the best
treatments his condition continues to worsen. Over the years his activity
level declined significantly and he rarely left his house. Now with the help
of Ivan, his new canine companion, Russell has regained much of the
independence he had before being diagnosed with Parkinson's disease. In fact,
he has reduced his total number of falls per day by nearly 70 percent (from 30
falls per day to less than 10). The two take long walks together, go grocery
shopping, go to the mall and attend church regularly.
  "When a vital, vibrant person is diagnosed with a chronic illness like
Parkinson's disease, often times they feel like their life has stopped,"
commented M. Jean King, president and founder of Independence Dogs, Inc.
"These dogs provide patients with the support they need to restore their
dignity and help them lead more independent lives." The Parkinson's disease
patients involved in this initiative have dramatically improved their motor
coordination and have regained their independence.
 SmithKline Beecham, Pennsylvania Hospital and Independence Dogs, Inc., are
continuing this program. Since these dogs are provided to people virtually
free-of-charge, regardless of their financial status, IDI relies almost solely
on the charitable contributions of outside organizations like SmithKline
Beecham to subsidize training. IDI graduates are only asked to make a modest
donation towards the cost of their dog's custom-made harness...."