FIRE STATION OUTINGS

2006 and 2005

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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 different.
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.

September 19, 2006
There is lots of time to hang out and chat in the fire house while the dogs get comfortable with their surrounds.

We start by allowing the dogs to investigate the turn-out gear spread out on the floor.	Chanel sniffs until she feels comfortable with all the unfamiliar smells on the equipment.

Then the fire fighter dons the gear while the dogs look on.

Capri doesn't seem shy.	Chanel accepts handling, even though the fireman is reminiscent of Darth Vader in his breathing apparatus!

Orainna gives the fireman a hug.	Caelyn gets a belly rub.

Clemens can't wait for his turn.

The grand finale comes when they turn on the lights and sirens. Guide Dogs who work in the city have to stay calm when an emergency vehicle rushes past them when they are guiding their partner.

Time to pose for pictures!
Miranda and Clemens pose with the new paramedic truck	A fire fighter poses with Leah and Sheffield.

Amanda and Orianna smile for the camera with a friend.

We had a wonderful time. Thanks South Metro Fire Fighters! See You Next Year!

July 19th, 2005
*ENGINES AND SIRENS*
*The dogs experience the sights and sounds of the fire rescue vehicles in a non-threatening environment, including the engine's rumble, odor of diesel exhaust, and the siren.*
The firefighters were waiting for us, with the fire engine running	The dogs take turns getting close to the huge truck

Champion enjoys the evening with Barb. Alexi and Labelle aren't phased by the loud siren.	Dalton and Tonya size up the truck. Frannie takes it all in stride, while Janet talks to the fireman.

*TURN-OUT GEAR*
A fireman suits up so the dogs can experience what a potential rescuer looks like, smells like, and sounds like, and learn that a person wearing such equipment is still a friend. A blind partner's life may one day ride on one of these dog's reactions to a rescuer.
Black labs mob the fully-outfitted rescuer. They don't mind the strange get-up at all!	Only one gloveless hand still smells like a person!

Can I touch you?	The face mask makes the fire fighter's voice, and breathing, sound different, but Clint doesn't seem to have any worries about it.


The fireman makes himself as non-threatening as possible by lying still on the floor, but this young pup still doesn't want to get too close.	Little black lab Labelle, on the other hand, thinks the fireman wants to wrestle. The two yellow labs are more grown up and calmer about the experience.

Hey! Didn't there used to be a person in these things?

PARAMEDIC ASSIST
The dogs may need to be comfortable riding in a paramedic assist vehicle if their blind partner has a medical emergency. Our puppies got to enter the van and sit quietly by a gurney, so one day they will be familiar with the sights and smells inside, should the need arise.

Raisers take turns taking their pups on the paramedic van. Yellow lab Palm and black lab Sherwood look eager to investigate!

Icon 'smiles' at the fire woman on the other side of the gurney. Rescuers are definitely friends!	Sherwood sits quietly in the cramped van.

Palm and Claire exit after a good learning experience.

HANGIN' WITH THE FIREMEN
There was lots of time to hang out and chat after we finished our explorations. Spending relaxed time in at the firehouse gives the dogs a chance to acclimate to the environment and have a positive experience, building good associations for the future.
Jenny and Italy chat with Sheila, Kelsey and Quazar near the paramedic van.	Raisers from Dogs with Vision and Denver Eye Paws joined us for the evening.

The fire station is one of our most popular outings of the year!	Dalton and Neo wait patently.

We had a great time! Thank you South Denver Metro Firefighters!

See You Next Year!