Have Paws Will Travel    
 		Guide Dog Puppy Raising Club
 		Arapahoe County, Colorado

Fireman


FIRE STATION OUTINGS

September 14, 2004
September 16, 2003

About once a year, HPWT has a social outing at a local fire station.
This allows the puppies to see the firefighters in their turn-out gear.
Turn-out gear makes the person wearing it seem bigger, and smell and look differently.
The breathing apparatus and helmet can make them seem like a monster to the dogs.
The trucks have their own array of sights and smells.
By exposing our dogs to the firehouse and everything in it,
we hope our puppies will learn that firefighters are helpers, and they will be able
to calmly accept their aid, should their blind partner one day require assistance.
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September 14, 2004
group outside firehouse
group outside firehouse
Puppies investigate the turn-out gear before the firefighter puts it on.


group outside firehouse
Puppies and raisers watch a firefighter don his turnout gear.


group outside firehouse


firefighter with turnout gear
The firefighter revs up a noisy saw used in rescues. Most of the dogs take all the noise and odor of the gas-powered contraption in stride.


black lab w/rescue truck
Pam & Ferrari check out the paramedic truck,
with engine running and lights flashing.


loading rescue truck
Two raisers were loaded up on backboards and gurneys for the puppy's benefit. The dogs get a chance to understand that the rescue workers are helping their people, and not a threat.
 puppy & raisers inside rescue truck
Cougar rides calmly with his raisers Carol and Leah. A few minutes later, the truck drove off, lights flashing and siren blaring!
September 16, 2003
fire station
The dogs investigate the equipment before the firefighter puts its on. That way, they can get accustomed to the new smells and sights in a less threatening way-- before they are confronted with a person wearing the sometimes intimidating, bulky turnout gear.


photo
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The dogs watch as the fire fighter dons his turn-out gear, looking less and less human with each piece of equipment he adds.


photo
fire station
Then the dogs get a chance to meet the fully-outfitted emergency worker,  breathing gear and all.


fire station
fire station
Some dogs are friendly, some curious, and some timid about the experience.


fire station
Time to take off the equipment and turn back into a human being again.


group photo
We had a great time! Thank you, South Metro Fire Fighters!