Iola welcomes newest service dog
The community of Iola welcomes one of its newest “citizens” — a 14-pound Belgian Labrador named Italy.
Ron Fry, a local dog enthusiast, is training the puppy to be utilized as a guide or service dog for those in need. Fry received the dog through the Kansas Specialty Dog Service (KSDS).
He will train Italy for two years before returning him to the service to receive specialized training for guiding.
“I’ll teach him how to turn lights off and on,” Fry said, as well as how to retrieve certain items — like a can of soda from the refrigerator.
Italy is Fry’s second dog from KSDS. The first, named Iola, was with him for two years — the two were easily recognized with the dog in a blue vest — and now is being trained as a service dog for female inmates at a prison in Topeka.
“He passed the tests with flying colors,” Fry said.
There are several factors involved when a dog is being considered for service or guiding, including the personality, size and the type of service that is needed. Fry said a lot of the placement depends on the dog and what they are geared toward.
“The dog has to decide,” he said.
Fry said letting go of the dog can be difficult, but it helps to know that they are on to bigger and better things — helping those in need. He said he compares himself to a parent, sending his children off the college.
“Basically the same thing happens to me,” he said, while sitting in Red Barn Veterinary Clinic.
Fry receives no reimbursement for training the dogs, and receives no assistance for medical expenses for them either. All of his time and work is volunteered.
He said Red Barn has been helpful in training Iola, and he will be bringing Italy to them as well. He said they provide medical advice, service and even obedience training trips.
He said there is “still a lot of work” to do with Italy, but once he has his appropriate shots and is six months old, Iolans will begin to see them around town. For now, he’s just trying to keep him contained.
“He’s a hyper one,” Fry said.
