Our Service Dog Program and work
Rockhill Aussies has been involved in service work with our dogs for approximately six years. Our journey began at the Oregon Veteran’s Home in Lebanon, Oregon, about five years ago. Although it wasn’t initially part of our breeding program, a serendipitous experience with one of our foundation dogs, Juneau, unveiled a remarkable aspect of her character that transformed our mission.
While visiting my father at the Oregon Veteran’s Home, I watched Juneau's intuitive ability. She showed a sensitivity and understanding that was beyond what I had seen in most dogs. Her interactions with people were gentle, intuitive and purposeful—she instinctively avoided putting her paws on people, opting instead to rest them on wheelchairs, and she knew how to climb onto beds without disturbing those lying there. She knew her needed her most and I could hardly get her to leave their presence. Her movements were slow and gentle. These subtle signs showed her natural aptitude for connecting with those in real need.
Recognizing Juneau’s potential, I enrolled her in formal service training. This experience was enlightening, I learned more than she did. I used this newfound knowledge I learned to train my own dogs.
Understanding the value of Juneau's intuitive nature, I decided to incorporate these traits into our breeding program. Over the years, I have bred three generations of her lineage with male dogs that share similar intuitive characteristics. The dogs I have kept from her have all inherited these remarkable abilities and are now integral to our breeding program.
Our commitment is to continue nurturing and refining these intuitive qualities in our dogs.
OUR DOGS AT WORK GALLERY
