Sanam Karunakar was a normal teenager involved with college and other
activities, looking forward to a promising career. One unfortunate day
she was involved in a car accident, which claimed both her parents and
left her paralysed from the chest down. Overnight, she joined thousands
of other Indians who live their lives confined to a wheelchair.
SANAM KARUNAKAR
******************************************************
But then Magic happened. Thanks to Shirin Merchant, who believes that for the physically challenged, the loving assistance of a canine tends to provide a higher sense of self esteem enabling them to enjoy better social interactions than those without assistance dogs. Today Sanam and Magic are a confident duo.
Since 1996, Shirin's Mumbai based organisation, Canines Can Care has helped many physically challenged to lead a better life. She is now bringing the initiative to Bangalore and help the handicapped achieve their desire to be independent by performing tasks that are physically demanding.
"We pioneered the concept of assistance dogs in India. It is very difficult for an able-bodied person to imagine the plight of a physically handicapped person. Trivial daily tasks which we take for granted, like picking up a fallen object or opening a door, present a daunting challenge to the handicapped. This is where an assist dog can aid the person in being independent. A fully trained assist dog can understand up to fifty commands," said Shirin who is the only person in Asia to have the honour of being a fully accredited member of the KCAI (Kennel Club of England) - holding an accreditation in Companion Dog Training and Behavioural Training at the advanced level.
According to her, most of the advanced training is conducted at their Training Centre in Mumbai and Lonavla. "After the training is completed, the dog will be taken to Bangalore and placed with the disabled person - in their own home. Thereupon, the training to pair the dog and human will start. The disabled person will go through intensive training in handling and working with the dog for a period of two weeks. Once the team completes the training, they will be put to a test to see if they can work well together. Upon passing, the dog is formally handed over to the disabled person," says Shirin.
Head trainers from her organisation make fortnightly visits to keep a check and sort out any problems that may arise with time. Canines Can Care also has a strong database of trainers trained by the institute who are based in Bangalore to assist in the process. The organisation is looking forward to partner with organisations in Bangalore that work with physically challenged people.
SANAM KARUNAKAR
******************************************************
But then Magic happened. Thanks to Shirin Merchant, who believes that for the physically challenged, the loving assistance of a canine tends to provide a higher sense of self esteem enabling them to enjoy better social interactions than those without assistance dogs. Today Sanam and Magic are a confident duo.
Since 1996, Shirin's Mumbai based organisation, Canines Can Care has helped many physically challenged to lead a better life. She is now bringing the initiative to Bangalore and help the handicapped achieve their desire to be independent by performing tasks that are physically demanding.
"We pioneered the concept of assistance dogs in India. It is very difficult for an able-bodied person to imagine the plight of a physically handicapped person. Trivial daily tasks which we take for granted, like picking up a fallen object or opening a door, present a daunting challenge to the handicapped. This is where an assist dog can aid the person in being independent. A fully trained assist dog can understand up to fifty commands," said Shirin who is the only person in Asia to have the honour of being a fully accredited member of the KCAI (Kennel Club of England) - holding an accreditation in Companion Dog Training and Behavioural Training at the advanced level.
According to her, most of the advanced training is conducted at their Training Centre in Mumbai and Lonavla. "After the training is completed, the dog will be taken to Bangalore and placed with the disabled person - in their own home. Thereupon, the training to pair the dog and human will start. The disabled person will go through intensive training in handling and working with the dog for a period of two weeks. Once the team completes the training, they will be put to a test to see if they can work well together. Upon passing, the dog is formally handed over to the disabled person," says Shirin.
Head trainers from her organisation make fortnightly visits to keep a check and sort out any problems that may arise with time. Canines Can Care also has a strong database of trainers trained by the institute who are based in Bangalore to assist in the process. The organisation is looking forward to partner with organisations in Bangalore that work with physically challenged people.
Source : The New Indian Express , 27th August 2013
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