The Right Dog for the Job: Ira's Path from Service Dog to Guide Dog

By Dorothy Hinshaw Patent

Book Overview

Ira was not born to be an ordinary dog. A few weeks after his birth, a foster puppy trainer with PawsAbilities, Canine Partners for People with Disabilities, took him home to begin his training as a Service Dog. Service dogs help people who have a lot of difficulty moving around on their own. To become one, Ira must learn how to retrieve dropped keys; press a wheelchair sign to open doors; ride a bus; sit quietly in loud, distracting places; and do many other difficult tasks. Not many dogs can do all that Fortunately, Ira is smart and confident, and he is able to pass his Service Dog test. Unfortunately, the new facility that Ira needs to attend for more detailed training isn't ready. What will happen to Ira? Will he be able to learn a new career as a Guide Dog for the Blind? -This true story shows the immense impact service and guide dogs have on the lives of the disabled, and what it takes for them to have that impact. - Adorable, full-color photographs bring children into Ira's life and let them connect with him in a very personal way. - See how sixth graders helped train Ira, and hear how they felt about the experience.

• Format: Hardcover
• Language: English
• ISBN: 0802789145
• ISBN13: 9780802789143
• Release Date: May 2004
• Publisher: Walker Childrens
• Length: 32 Pages
• Weight: 0.80 lbs.
• Dimensions: 9.4" x 0.3" x 10.1"
• Age Range: 8 to 12 years
• Grade Range: Grades 3 to 7

Customer Reviews

good service dog intro

This is a good introduction to service dogs. It is a kid's book with lots of pictures. It helps kids understand how service dogs can help people. I wish it talked more about service dog etiquette, such as not petting. There is only a small amount of information saying not to pet the dog. It would also be good if the book told kids how they can volunteer with dogs such as being a puppy raiser or volunteering to help someone in their community take care of their dogs. Overall an excellent book for a casual intro to service dogs. I recommend this to all kids from small to middle school.

The Right Dog for the Job

This has been a great book for my kids school. It shows the process of how puppies can become service dogs. Very nice for elementary age children.

Learning Tool and Entertaining

This is a great book to share with my 5-year-old granddaughter. It is educational (at her level) but yet entertaining!

Great Book

This book is a great, short nonfiction study of how guide dogs and service dogs are trained. From the moment they're born, through growing up and being loved, through training, and their final assignment to a partner, this book backs up the storytelling with a lot of warm, family-friendly photographs. This is a good book to read aloud to young readers. Especially curious ones. In addition to telling kids how important it is not to bother service animals and guide dogs while they're working, the author takes time to point out that everyone can help train these wonderful animals. The photographs really set the book off and make it a book that young readers will probably go through on their own after having it read to them. The story is simple enough that they'll probably remember it enough to "read" it to others.

neat photo essay on guide dogs

This is a photo essay of a puppy who born into a family of service dogs. He is raised and trained well but the story has a twist. As the time nears for Ira to go into more detailed service dog training the facility isn't ready to take him. Instead he goes to work for Guide Dogs for the Blind. All ends well for the dog and the new owner. A list is featured in the back of the book of many organizations that provide service and guide dogs for people. Also listed are selection for further reading. The story created good dialog and helps children learn about how dogs can help those with disabilities. I would recommend this book to all kids who want to learn more about guide dogs and how they are trained. This would make a great addition to the library as there are only 3 other books in the collection on guide dogs.