Join Team Koa
*as of 12/7/2020
About Koa
Hello my name is Koa. I am suppose to share a little bit of who I am and how I came to be with you, but the truth is, I have a "black out" period... I do not know how I ended up in prison with a two year old sentence. And I only came to realize my name is Koa because the humans, (I think that's what they are called), are constantly calling me that.
I am one out of six other Retrievers, and the rumor in Puppyville is that with good behavior we will be given weekend furloughs. I look forward to these; I have seen some of the bigger dogs, that have been here longer, getting them and they return very excited with spectacular toys and shoes. So, in keeping with my curious nature I really want to sniff and chew as I explore what is found on the other side of this chain linked fence. I have two human handlers and they both tell me I am royalty and destined to be a great service dog, helping others. I do not know what service dog means, but I can tell you everyone treats me like royalty. I even have a purple harness; they tell me it's a royal color. I'm very friendly, love to please humans, am very playful and can keep up with the big dogs; I'm very cautious and observant. Be careful, if you leave anything near me, I will sniff it and chew on it; I'm normally very obedient, unless I'm distracted or want to learn about my environment on a sniffy walk. I can walk straight on the leash until I get distracted or stopped by humans to adore me... squirrel? If I'm writing this for my future caretaker, know that I love to bond with humans, have a good temper, say (bark) very little, relaxed, love to play, cuddle, easily entertained, love belly rubs, and may be little, but will eat like a horse if you like me. Treats, treat, treats!
Still growing and understand the world,
Koa
From Koa's Handlers
Coming soon...
See Koa's Progress Below
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May 2021 Update
My month started with lots of smells, sights, and happy trails. My puppy parent took me for an outing to a place with huge trees. It was a nice early birthday gift from Christina. I really enjoyed my birthday gift from her. On my birthday, my friend/handler John sang me Happy Birthday in the morning. I gave him lots of kisses and hugs, and he gave me some Jerky. It was so tasty; I was drooling all over the place. He said I was two years old, but John explained that I was 14 in dog years, which I guess made sense.
So all my fun was over soon after that because the following week came my eye surgery. I was not looking forward to it but for my health, it was a good thing. My friend, John, spoke to me before I left and I saw water come from his eyes. I buried my head in his chest and did my best to comfort him. I knew he was trying to be strong for me. If I could talk, I would have told him I will be OK. I am strong and the surgery is not going to change that. I will still be the loving, playful, running, and chasing canine I grew up to be.
After the surgery, I was a little out of it, but I was praised for being a good patient. I returned to John a few days later, I was happy to see him and I was able to “nose” him and kiss him. It was nice to see everyone. They barked because I had a cone on my big head so John traded it for a neck pillow as he calls it. But I was still embarrassed and I gave my back to everyone. He comforted me, my Puppy Raiser came by, and I hung out with her. My eye still hurt and had stuff hanging from it (stitches as John calls it). And he tells me I will be getting them removed this coming Saturday and will be meeting a possible new family (fingers/paws crossed). It has been a long and fun journey here at PVSP and I hope I get to return one day when I finally leave for good. As my friend John says to me, this is not goodbye.
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Hello, y’all! I’ve been back with my friend and handler John for about a month or so and I’ve gone through a whole bunch of changes. The one change for me, that was out of nowhere was I guess, is that I got this valley sickness. This led to blindness in one of my eyes. John says is my right eye. So, I will not be able to graduate and be a service dog. I don’t feel any different physically, but at times my vision is not so good, my friend John has been a trooper, and my eyes. He helps me with my eye drops and the medicine I take. I am not even two years old yet and I have medical issues, just like my brother Delta.
John has been such a good friend/teacher and support. I have been playing with my buddies at PVSP. My handler John says that he’s enjoying every day he’s with me. I will leave him soon, I overhear them talking about it. I will be a little sad to say farewell to everyone here, especially my forever friend John. I hope one day in the future I get to see John again and we can play and catch up. I will tell him all the new things I’ve done and seen. Well until next time. King Koa, signing-off for maybe the last time.
Doggie kisses to all
February 2021 Update
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December 2020 Update
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Hi everyone! Our month together was cut short due to a virus everyone was getting. My friend and handler, John, was a little sad and worried for me and himself. I left with my puppy raiser, Christina. But before I left, I was complimented on my weight loss! thanks to my handler, I was able to achieve my goal! now we just have to keep up the good work. I will update everyone when I return back home to Pleasant Valley!
November 2020 Update
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I have been working on my public outing skills, especially in new places. I have been going to see farm animals and other dogs in public. I even got to go to visit my friends Carina, Carson, Fin, and Peanut at the New Life K9s office! I have been working hard on remembering my manners and behaving myself like a future service dog!
I have really been enjoying my time with my puppy raiser, Christina. We’ve been going on a lot of adventures like the pumpkin patch! We encountered a silly smelling, furry, 4-legged, creature but I paid no attention to it. Later, I heard it was a “cat.” Anyway, since I was so well behaved with the “cat,” I got a treat from my favorite place: Starbucks! I got a puppuccino and it was yummy.
My handler, John, told me it’s Halloween this month. I get to dress up. I dressed up and had a photoshoot with my puppy raiser. I was Captain America and Superman. I want to be a Super Service Dog one day so I liked it. Well, until next time! Be safe everyone!
October 2020 Update
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Hi everyone,
My month has been busy and I have spent a lot of time with my puppy raiser! I've been going on outings to the beach, petting zoos, apple orchards, and other places with lots of smells! I've been smelling really pretty flowers because I've been going on lots of walks! I've learned many new smells and have seen new things, seen new dogs. Some dogs were like me and others were smaller or bigger! It's been awesome to experience all of these things. My puppy raiser Christina is doing her best but my handler was reminded that I need to be better on the leash.
John reminded me that I need to be a good mannered service dog in any place or situation. I know I can be that service dog one day! I want to be able to put a smile on everyone's face. John tells me that I am his best friend and that I will save someone's life one day. I just look at him and kiss and lick his face! Well, I will see you all next month! Stay safe and I will keep learning!
September 2020 Update
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August 2020 Update
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July 2020 Update
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I was proud of myself this month! I took my handler's socks off and he praised me so much he rubbed my belly and cracked up laughing. I also used my big nose not only to find food but also to help find my handler's stuff. He plays a game with me and hides his hat, shoes, his thing he wears on his wrist that he checks all the time, and his glasses. It's pretty easy after I did it a few times. I am thinking, man, this guy sure forgets a lot! It was so much fun to finally have new smells and new places for sniffy walks. John (my handler) always says, "Thank you" for helping him out. Another thing that happened was I went out with my new Puppy Parent! It was so much fun to finally have new smells and new places for sniffy walks. I will keep ya'll posted on how my second weekend goes. :)
June 2020 Update
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So this month I have been putting my big nose to work. My handler John is not only putting kibble and other tasty treats in the grassy areas for me to find, but now I have been finding his stuff that he's been trying to hide from me, like his hat, watch, eye glasses case, and his shoes. My nose is just really powerful that I can find them with no problem. Plus, I am really smart and have a good memory too. John even tried to put multiple items out and asked me to go find them or pick them out. Using my memory and nose I did it with no problem. John was so excited that he gave me lots of praise and love and that makes me laugh inside and wag my tail really fast and give him licks and kisses. I've also been working on going to different handlers and I remember each one too. We did lots of fun stuff this month. Also, I gave John lots of love on his birthday. I sensed he was a little sad that day. He knew I understood. At night before bed, I have come to really love and bond with John. He understands me when I am having a bad day if there is such a thing. John is a good friend who always puts me first every day.
May 2020 Update
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April 2020 Update
So I've been through a lot! No more weekends with my friends and it was my birthday. It's OK though, I have my buddies here! I'm finally 1 year old (or 7 in doggie years!) My handler John sang to me happy birthday and I loved it. :) I gave him lots of love and kisses/licks on his face. He really spoiled me that day. I hope all my birthday celebrations are as good as this one. As far as my learning, I am doing awesome. That's a word my handler uses with me, especially when I remember something he's taught me weeks ago and I do it with no problem. He gives me rubs and love! I have even pulled his sock off )only once) but that's a big accomplishment for me. I don't like using my mouth or teeth unless it's treats. But I did it! John was so proud of me. We walked the whole track, also while I was off-leash. John kept encouraging me and giving me kibble. He cares so much that I do my best at all things, so we worked all the way around. I was not distracted at all. And he kept tell me, "you can do this buddy." I know I can and I did it! All my friends were roaming or chilling and I walked past them all. John praised me and gave me lots of hugs. One last thing I've been doing with John is before bedtime, I get under the bed or on top and he rubs my belly, my arms, and my head, and lays on the floor or bed with me. It's really fun and I love doing that because our friendship/bond is amazing.
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March 2020 Update
Koa here! So this month, I really worked on my we-leash and I have almost perfected it. I am also working on being calm when I see my friends, canine, or human. My handler John always talks to me before we approach, so he prepares me in advance. He also gives me nice tasty treats as we get closer. I also learned how to put a ball through a hole. It was pretty cool! John gave me lots of love and praise. I felt really proud of myself. I have also been doing and learning what they call "like me's" with my handler and other handlers. Also, it is awesome to be able to work with different handlers with different voices. So, I also finally went out for two weekends with a tall friend of mine who I get so excited to see. My first weekend was super fun and wild! I was happy to finally get away from where I live. I love Justin but I needed a break from everything. A time for me to decompress and unwind. This weekend I stayed back because of all this coronavirus business going around, or something like that. Hopefully, I get to leave this weekend. My handler also told me I might be getting a new puppy parent named Christina. I met her on Friday in the yard during playtime. She seems nice and caring. I will have to remember my manners when I finally get to go with her. I always hear my handler say "be nice," "no jumping on people," and "mind your manners, please..." I know he loves me and is doing his job to teach me correctly to be the vest best of my abilities. Next month is my birthday! I overheard John making me something special. I can't wait to tell you about it.