Posted 1:13 am Sunday, July 24, 2011
Tandem Team Navigates The Disabilities Of Down’s Syndrome
By ANDY TAYLOR
Staff Writer
Something special happens when Macey Bunger says “lap” to her dog, Joycie. On command, the lab gently rests its furry muzzle against her legs as she tenderly scratches its ears.
Macey then revels in the relationship she has with her best friend, pulling Joycie close and burying her smile in a clump of yellow fur.
And then, they’re up.
The pup obediently follows the 9-year-old wherever she goes — panting in the blistering sun as Macey sits in the grass, or lying calmly on a rug as she relaxes on the couch with a bowl of fruit cocktail.
Staff Writer
Something special happens when Macey Bunger says “lap” to her dog, Joycie. On command, the lab gently rests its furry muzzle against her legs as she tenderly scratches its ears.
Macey then revels in the relationship she has with her best friend, pulling Joycie close and burying her smile in a clump of yellow fur.
And then, they’re up.
The pup obediently follows the 9-year-old wherever she goes — panting in the blistering sun as Macey sits in the grass, or lying calmly on a rug as she relaxes on the couch with a bowl of fruit cocktail.
Joycie is Macey’s service dog, trained by Canine Companions for Independence to help her with challenges associated with Down syndrome.
Macey’s parents, Travis and Kelly Bunger, said the interaction between the pair has opened opportunities for their daughter they didn’t believe were possible.
Macey’s dad said before discovering CCI, Macey struggled to express herself and communicate with others.
Macey’s parents, Travis and Kelly Bunger, said the interaction between the pair has opened opportunities for their daughter they didn’t believe were possible.
Macey’s dad said before discovering CCI, Macey struggled to express herself and communicate with others.
When a stranger would greet her, she would often respond with a quiet shyness that limited her ability to develop meaningful relationships.
Now, she has something to talk about.
“(Joycie) has kind of given Macey the confidence to speak loudly, with a purpose,” he said.
Mrs. Bunger said she takes advantage of every opportunity to let Macey tell others about her dog.
Now, she has something to talk about.
“(Joycie) has kind of given Macey the confidence to speak loudly, with a purpose,” he said.
Mrs. Bunger said she takes advantage of every opportunity to let Macey tell others about her dog.
“When we’re out in public and someone comes up and starts talking about Joycie or wanting to pet Joycie, we always have them direct their questions and their requests to Macey,” she said. “That makes Macy actually speak to other people. It’s neat; she does have a sense of pride, which she’s never had before.”
One might describe Joycie’s service as a role reversal, because the Bungers first learned of CCI from a puppy trainer who was trying help dogs feel more comfortable in public environments.
Bunger said he asked the trainer which breed would be best for a child with Macey’s condition. He said without hesitation the trainer encouraged him to contact CCI.
One might describe Joycie’s service as a role reversal, because the Bungers first learned of CCI from a puppy trainer who was trying help dogs feel more comfortable in public environments.
Bunger said he asked the trainer which breed would be best for a child with Macey’s condition. He said without hesitation the trainer encouraged him to contact CCI.
After about a year and three months of discussion and consideration, Macey and her parents flew to the organization’s facilities in Oceanside, Calif. to meet their potential companion, he said.
Bunger said the trip changed the way he views dogs.
“It was an amazing experience for all of us,” he said. “I grew up on a farm, and a dog was just another animal … and (CCI) just gave me a whole new perspective about what dogs are capable of. The training that we received was top notch and the people there were awesome. It’s really kind of hard to explain fully just how neat it was.”
Spokeswoman Katie Malatino said providing that experience for families is what CCI is all about.
“We provide these assistance dogs completely free of charge for people with a wide range of disabilities,” she said.
Ms. Malatino said CCI dogs receive basic obedience training from volunteers who raise them for the first year and a half. After that, the dogs return to CCI’s facilities for six months of professional training where they learn up to 50 commands.
CCI trainers then determine their dogs’ best suitors by reviewing the needs and expectations of each applicant, Ms. Malatino said. The disabled individuals and their families then attend two weeks of team training, where the final match is made.
“When I met Joycie, I just fell in love with her,” Mrs. Bunger said. “I kind of knew when I met her that she would be a good match for us, and it turns out they thought so, too.”
From that day forward, Joycie has been by Macey’s side.
Her parents said it is nearly impossible to convey how supportive the loyal lab has been. Aside from helping break the ice in social situations, Joycie also comforts Macey when she endures medical treatment.
“Macey will say ‘Joycie makes me brave,’” Bunger said.
Prior to receiving Joycie, doctors unsuccessfully tried to monitor Macey’s sleep by placing analysis sensors on her head.
The Bungers frightened daughter would not have it. Well, at least not yet.
“Within a few weeks of getting back with Joycie, we did it again,” he said. “Macey sat through the whole thing like a champ. It was amazing the difference it made.”
The Bungers said the sleep study experience was only the first of many instances in which Joycie helped Macey conquer her fear.
“If she doesn’t like what you’re doing, she’ll get Joycie next to her and she’s fine,” Mrs. Bunger said.
Ms. Malatino said the positive influence Joycie provided the Bunger family is common among those who work with CCI.
Often, she said, the effects are not short-term solutions, but lifelong skills that allow disabled individuals to gain a sense of independence they will always carry with them.
“It’s kind of hard to measure, but the impact can be huge,” she said. “It’s an important way to give Macey some responsibility in her life and to learn more life skills. It’s a really big step in her development.”
That impact has already led to big changes, Mrs. Bunger said.
The little girl who at one time avoided verbal communication now enjoys boasting about her furry pal. Wherever they go, they are sure to turn heads.
“People always notice Macy when we’re out,” she said. “But it’s neat now, because when they notice her, it’s kind of for a good reason and something that’s positive.”
Macey’s dad said the experience of having a faithful companion has given his daughter a new sense of identity.
“They’re not necessarily remembering her just because of her disability, they’re recognizing Joycie and Macey together as a team,” Bunger said.
In the eyes of strangers, she is no longer labeled the girl with the disability.
“She’s the cool kid with the dog,” Mrs. Bunger said.
Bunger said the trip changed the way he views dogs.
“It was an amazing experience for all of us,” he said. “I grew up on a farm, and a dog was just another animal … and (CCI) just gave me a whole new perspective about what dogs are capable of. The training that we received was top notch and the people there were awesome. It’s really kind of hard to explain fully just how neat it was.”
Spokeswoman Katie Malatino said providing that experience for families is what CCI is all about.
“We provide these assistance dogs completely free of charge for people with a wide range of disabilities,” she said.
Ms. Malatino said CCI dogs receive basic obedience training from volunteers who raise them for the first year and a half. After that, the dogs return to CCI’s facilities for six months of professional training where they learn up to 50 commands.
CCI trainers then determine their dogs’ best suitors by reviewing the needs and expectations of each applicant, Ms. Malatino said. The disabled individuals and their families then attend two weeks of team training, where the final match is made.
“When I met Joycie, I just fell in love with her,” Mrs. Bunger said. “I kind of knew when I met her that she would be a good match for us, and it turns out they thought so, too.”
From that day forward, Joycie has been by Macey’s side.
Her parents said it is nearly impossible to convey how supportive the loyal lab has been. Aside from helping break the ice in social situations, Joycie also comforts Macey when she endures medical treatment.
“Macey will say ‘Joycie makes me brave,’” Bunger said.
Prior to receiving Joycie, doctors unsuccessfully tried to monitor Macey’s sleep by placing analysis sensors on her head.
The Bungers frightened daughter would not have it. Well, at least not yet.
“Within a few weeks of getting back with Joycie, we did it again,” he said. “Macey sat through the whole thing like a champ. It was amazing the difference it made.”
The Bungers said the sleep study experience was only the first of many instances in which Joycie helped Macey conquer her fear.
“If she doesn’t like what you’re doing, she’ll get Joycie next to her and she’s fine,” Mrs. Bunger said.
Ms. Malatino said the positive influence Joycie provided the Bunger family is common among those who work with CCI.
Often, she said, the effects are not short-term solutions, but lifelong skills that allow disabled individuals to gain a sense of independence they will always carry with them.
“It’s kind of hard to measure, but the impact can be huge,” she said. “It’s an important way to give Macey some responsibility in her life and to learn more life skills. It’s a really big step in her development.”
That impact has already led to big changes, Mrs. Bunger said.
The little girl who at one time avoided verbal communication now enjoys boasting about her furry pal. Wherever they go, they are sure to turn heads.
“People always notice Macy when we’re out,” she said. “But it’s neat now, because when they notice her, it’s kind of for a good reason and something that’s positive.”
Macey’s dad said the experience of having a faithful companion has given his daughter a new sense of identity.
“They’re not necessarily remembering her just because of her disability, they’re recognizing Joycie and Macey together as a team,” Bunger said.
In the eyes of strangers, she is no longer labeled the girl with the disability.
“She’s the cool kid with the dog,” Mrs. Bunger said.
