Beth Rumsey, staff writer

“I’ve had so many wonderful things to happen to me,” said Jill Merida, Milan, referring to an article published December 4, 2007 in the Osgood Journal where her son Christian was featured. The article described how the Meridas use dogs as therapy for Christian, who has autism and seizures, through the dog program of 4-H.

Since the article, Mrs. Merida has received phone calls from folks who would like to know more about autism, where to find resources about autism and dog therapy. As a result of one of these phone calls, Mrs. Merida was referred to Tammy Staten, an animal behavioral specialist with the Kentucky Working Canine Association in Bee Springs, Kentucky, who was able to provide a giant schnauzer, Wendy, which can sense seizures. Mrs. Merida said, “When we first met the dog, Christian laid on the floor and the dog laid down next to him. She stayed with him during the entire visit.”

Service dogs provide assistance to those with physical disabilities such as guide dogs for the sight impaired, retrieving objects dropped on the floor, or retrieving water bottles from the refrigerator. Seizure sensing dogs are trained to prevent injury while their owner is having a seizure. A doctor must write a prescription stating that a service animal is needed.

As Mrs. Merida explains, a seizure causes a chemical change that a dog can smell. In fact, during training, it is suggested that a piece of clothing worn before a seizure and one after a seizure, be kept in separate plastic bags. This then is used to teach the dog what smell is normal and which smell is not.

Service animals are allowed to go into public places as provided in the Americans with Disabilities Act. According to Mrs. Merida, a business can be fined heavily if a person with a service animal is denied access. A service dog is required to wear a special saddle that identifies it as a service animal. Wendy will follow Christian everywhere he goes, including school, when training is completed. The goal is to eventually have Wendy with Christian at school for about three hours. Mrs. Merida will act as Wendy’s handler until Christian is able to himself. Christian will be able to show Wendy in the 4-H dog show this summer. Since she will not be working, the saddle will not be worn. Christian will be giving the necessary commands during the competition. Mrs. Merida feels that this process will help Christian for the future when he will be alone with Wendy.

Wendy’s training includes sensing a seizure before it happens and alerting someone. She also is trained to protect Christian from falls into furniture or down the stairs. Wendy also receives socialization training. According to Mrs. Merida, about half of the work a trainer does is in socialization. She was required to view videos and read several books about training service dogs. “I’ve learned a lot,” Mrs. Merida noted.

Christian, a fifth-grader at the Milan Middle School, received Wendy on February 23 after many weeks of training, for the dog as well as Mrs. Merida. By assisting with the training, the Meridas were able to purchase the service dog at a lower price. The family was able to pay the down payment and an additional $500, holding fundraisers to pay for the balance. There are other expenses that are not covered in the cost of the dog. For example, Christian needed a new bed so that Wendy could sleep with him. According to his mother this helps with the bonding process. Traveling expenses were incurred during the weekly trips to Kentucky for training.

To help off-set the costs, Mrs. Merida became a consultant for Tastefully Simple. As a consultant, she receives 30% of her sales. By holding Tastefully Simple fundraisers and through donations from friends and family, the Merida family has been able to raise all but about $300. According to Mrs. Merida, 100% of the donations go to the Christian Merida Service Dog Fund. Christian helps out by writing thank you notes and stuffing bags with the Tastefully Simple ordering information.

A Tastefully Simple open house will be held on Saturday, March 1 from 1 to 5 p.m. at the St. Paul Lutheran Church. The church is located at N. State Road 101 in Milan. All the foods featured in the catalog will be available for sampling such as slushies, fruit and vegetable dips, breads and marinades for grilled meats. Orders placed at that time will be received within 7 to 10 days and will be direct delivered.

For more information on the Tastefully Simple fundraiser, or for more information on how to make a donation, contact Jill Merida at 812-654-3631. For more information on how to apply for service animals, contact Tammy Staten of Kentucky Working Canine Association at 270-879-0934. To see pictures of Christian and Wendy, visit www.meridasminischnauzers.com and click on the A Service Dog For Chris link.

BETH RUMSEY PHOTO Wendy, 7 month old service dog, is truly a boy's best friend as she lies quietly on the floor as Christian Merida visits McDonald's in Versailles. His brothers, Brandon, right, and Sean, left, are in the background having ice cream.