Second Chance: No Barriers – Meet Luci & Kandu

24 Jul Second Chance: No Barriers – Meet Luci & Kandu

Sawyer & friend

As announced last month, Second Chance Humane Society has been invited to participate in the No Barriers Summit coming to Telluride, Thursday,  August 8- Sunday, August 11. The event brings people with disabilities from across the nation together with scientists and innovators working toward adaptive technology and solutions to empower people to not only embrace their barriers, but learn to harness them for their own good and the good of the community. Second Chance’s participation will be about showing how animals help in advancing the goals. And we are excited to announce we’ll be joined by two very special (and celebrity) dogs, Kandu & Luci.

Kandu and Luci live in Steamboat Springs and work very successfully as therapy dogs at the local medical center. They both were born without front limbs yet fully embrace the “Kan-do” spirit by not letting their disabilities keep them from living their lives fully.  They were both rescued by Ken and Melissa Rogers, who have always been able to recognize a pet’s true potential and have a history of adopting pets with disabilities.

Ken has developed several unique and effective mobilizing devices (which will be showcased during No Barriers) to help Kandu and Luci to get around, from a mono ski device for the winter to a three-wheeled roller skating device, the dogs have learned to use these tools to get out and about in their communities – and truly make a difference. They are inspirational to those they visit at hospitals and children are in awe by their drive and uplifting temperaments.

You will be able to meet Kandu and Luci at the Second Chance booth during the No Barriers’ Innovation Village, Friday August 9,  5-7 p.m. in Mountain Village on the Conference Center plaza. I will be there too.

SAWYER:

My name is Sawyer and I am a special needs dog looking for a home. I have been with Second Chance for several months now because it  is challenging to find a family willing to adopt a deaf and visually impaired animal. But I am hoping this event will be my ticket to a forever home.

Also at our booth will be other pets with disabilities, service animals, and homeless pets (who will be demonstrating that the barrier of being homeless does not change their impact upon others).  And we’ll be hosting an interactive session to demonstrate the tangible positive impact of pets upon our mind-body systems.

Second Chance is also organizing volunteers to “chaperone” service dogs while their humans are participating in various clinics throughout the weekend.  We are still seeking volunteers for several four hour shifts – a great way for dog lovers to provide some valuable support for participants of this wonderful event.  Please help us highlight how animals support, inspire, and motivate us.

If you would like to volunteer, or you have a pet with a disability you feel would find benefit and benefit others by participating in our “Animals Beyond Barriers Booth,” please contact us to learn more. In the meantime, I will continue learning the hand signals the Second Chance staff are teaching me in preparation for my hopeful adoption. And I will now introduce Ali, who is facing the disadvantage of being homeless in stride…

Ali

ALI:

Hi.  I arrived at Second Chance many months ago, babies in tow. My babies have since all been adopted: I guess their cuteness won out over my sweetness. Plus I am shy at first as I was rescued from a situation that was less than desirable for a sensitive little feline like me. But I know in the depth of my heart that I will make a great pet if given the chance.

Editor’s note: It’s no secret. The Telluride region is dog heaven. Unless you are one of our furry friends who gets caught in the maw of neglect and abuse. Then heaven is on hold until Second Chance Humane Society comes to the rescue.  Second Chance is the region’s nonprofit dedicated to saving animals’ lives and promoting responsible pet parenting and human-animal bond. In her weekly blog, executive director Kelly Goodin profiles two of the many animals now living at the no-kill shelter, Angel Ridge Shelter, a dog and a cat, hoping to find them loving permanent homes. The column is sponsored by Ted Hoff of Cottonwood Ranch & Kennel, who from time to time exercises his skills as a dog whisperer, partnering with Kelly and her staff to help train a particularly challenging animal.

By the by, there is no better place to park your pup than Cottonwood whenever you head out of town (for locals) or are heading to town and staying somewhere that does not allow pets. Consider joining Ted’s Very Important Dog (VID) Club for added benies. (Details on Ted’s website.)

Second Chance Humane Society Animal Resource Center and Thrift Shop are both located in Ridgway, but service San Miguel, Ouray & Montrose Counties. Call the SCHS Helpline at 626-2273 to report a lost pet, learn about adopting a homeless pet, or about the SCHS Spay/Neuter, Volunteer, Feral Cat, or other Programs. View the shelter pets and services online: www.adoptmountainpets.org.