A Tribute to Dustin, The First C.O.P.E. Dog Dec. 24, 1997 – July 28, 2006 By Jane Boake, Founder, C.O.P.E.

C.O.P.E. is such a young organization that it is hard to believe that the very first C.O.P.E. dog is no longer with us. Cancer claimed Dustin’s life just 5 short years after his first official C.O.P.E. demonstration on stage in front a packed gym at the International School of Brussels.

Born at the Assistance Dog Institute (ADI) in California, Dustin’s personality was closely matched to mine and as a result he would be my partner for a mock placement camp. I would use a wheelchair and play the role of an applicant for a service dog and he would be my canine partner throughout the grueling 2 week training camp. This hands-on experience would put me in good stead to place dogs with people who have disabilities both at the conclusion of the camp and later on in my work in the service dog industry.

For the first week Dustin and I spent nights sleeping in a tent, heeding the request of “no dogs in the house” by our Santa Rosa house owners with whom we had exchanged our house in Germany. The “umbilical cord bonding” method meant that Dustin and I would be attached by leash 24-7, and sleep time was no exception. By the time this obligatory “ball and chain” exercise was complete, it was evident that the leash was no longer necessary to keep Dustin by my side. This dog was so dedicated and always there that it prompted me to nickname him “Radar”.

During this intense “boot camp” filled with tests, stress and field trips, Dustin’s prowess as a service dog was obvious. Even though his specific task training was not complete, his calm, willing, monogamous and unflappable nature made receiving the news that ADI would have to release him from their program due to failed hip x-rays, almost tragic.

Dustin would develop hip dysplasia by age 5 rendering him unsuitable for service dog work. However, this would not stop him from being the founding canine ambassador for C.O.P.E. The staff at ADI allowed me to purchase Dustin knowing that our goal would be to start a unique organization in Canada that would help dogs, young people and people with disabilities.

Dustin would be the first of 4 dogs that I would train and prepare as service dogs before having the confidence to teach others how to do it. Dustin helped me learn how to train dogs to do intricate tasks like turn lights on and off, open doors, pull wheelchairs, take off clothing, put items in a box, get food from a fridge, unload dryers and much more.

In his final days, I reflected on how these skills and his companionship supported me on many adventures together. I remember Dustin retrieving my laptop after it fell off my shoulder as me and my baby, Sam and toddler, Carly were swept away by impatient people boarding a delayed flight in a crowded airport. I remember him standing tight to my legs, ready to protect when being bothered by drunk and disorderly men at Oktoberfest. I remember thinking that he was strong enough to retrieve absolutely anything, when I would watch him carry branches the size of trees on our forest walks. I remember learning the true value of canine companionship when he accompanied me and 6 month old Samantha on a demonstration trip to Amsterdam from Munich on a non-reserved overnight train ride full of Oktoberfest attendees. The return trip was no improvement as we missed our train and had to endure an overnight stay on the train platform. Dustin’s support on these misadventures gave me a taste of what a dog could offer a person with a disability who would face even tougher challenges on a daily basis.

When Dustin’s hips made him unwilling to go up on his back legs to turn on lights or pay a cashier, Dustin was retired from demo work. He continued to help others though as a St. John Ambulance therapy dog and he was partnered with 4 youth in C.O.P.E.’s High School Assistance Dog programs in which he and his youth partners helped elementary school children with reading and math skills.

In Dustin’s last days, he found most food unappetizing. We kept him going by offering him things that he was not allowed to have as a service dog. First, it was his training treats – “Rollover” – all cut up and piled high in his bowl. He ate this with a vengeance. When he became tired of that it was “human food” - paydirt for a service dog. When that was no longer appetizing, he would eat anything that we put directly on the floor. For a service dog, eating anything off the floor is taboo – so Dustin delighted in being able to do this.

Unfortunately, these tiny pleasures combined with daily “walks” to a lake were all that we could offer Dustin in his final days. Our attempts seem so insignificant compared to the greatness he offered to many of us during his lifetime.

Dustin, we will ensure that your spirit lives on through C.O.P.E.’s mission. Thanks to you we can continue to change lives by offering people meaningful interactions with extraordinary dogs like you. Thank you for setting the stage.

For more information contact:
C.O.P.E. Service Dogs
P.O. Box 20035
Barrie, Ontario
Canada L4M 6E9
Email: info@copedogs.org
Phone: (705) 734-COPE (2673)