Jordan's Page

Jordan

Malady's Jordan May

DOB: 12-29-98

OFA: LR-114870G27F-PI

CERF: LR-28412/2000--24

Jordan obtained her CGC title on 5/13/00. Thank you Southwest Preferred K-9 and Red Rock Ranch.

She is currently working at Banner Good Samaritan in their Animal Assisted Therapy Program!

Jordan was placed with Bob and Billie Carlson in March of 2003. We keep in touch with the Carlson's and often have Jordan back to stay when they go out of town. I'd like to share an article Billie did.

A JOURNEY

JORDAN CARLSON

First of all, I have to get two things straight. This is not a picture of me. It was what I may have looked like as a teenager. It was all I could find on the Dell to even give you a slight idea of what I look like. Secondly, my name is really "Malady's Jordan May". Now that I have confessed that, please forget it. Some of us live with some burdens we have to bear. Now on to the journey that I want to tell you about.

I was born at a farm type kennel in Buckeye, Arizona, on December 29, 1998. It was a great life because all of my relatives lived and worked there. I became a MOM twice while I lived there and loved those babies. I was raised in the house because my owner could see that I had special qualities. I did have a lot of play time out in the yard with the family. My MOM lived there, too. In May of 2000, I was awarded an AKC Good Citizenship Award at Red Rock Ranch Arizona. The Medal is beautiful.

In March of 2003, some people came by to visit. I really wagged the tail and smiled for them. I found out later that they were looking for a dog to adopt to become a therapy dog. I think they liked me. They asked a couple of questions about me before they made up their minds. Did I like car rides? Yes... Was I used to being in the house? Yes... Did I eat people food? NO WAY... Was I friendly? That was a dumb question, I was there wagging the tail and smiling. They knew the answer to that one already.

About three weeks later, after I had some surgery, they came and took me to my new home. Actually, they only live two blocks from where I grew up so they walked me to my new home in Buckeye, Arizona.

I was told the plan for me. It seems that the lady, Billie, works at Banner Good Samaritan as a nurse and had wanted to get a dog like me for a long time; she had gotten to know Nels in the past and wanted another dog like him. She had tried to get a retired service dog, but they are usually spoken for. Of course, I feel this was meant to be so I could get the job.

We immediately went to obedience training. I think that is funny because I knew all the commands but she did not. She learned quickly. Then I had to go through advanced training which was also a "piece of cake". Maybe I should say a "doggie biscuit".

After the advanced training, she took me to Good Sam. As for the dog therapy training, that was a little more difficult even for me. Learning the sounds, smells and all the people was really different.

Our final goal was to be accepted into the "Animal Assisted Therapy Program" at the Rehabilitation Institute. I met Jill and Jeanne and loved them immediately. I was a bit of a "wild child" at first, but got into the routine. I do love the patients and they seem to like me too. It is so much fun to come and work. I am always tired after a day with the patients. I sleep all the way home. Jill and I play on the floor and she and Jeanne are always thinking of fun things to do. The newest one is playing with bubbles. I have not gotten the hang of that yet. We are going to work on that at home.

I also spend time with other people at the Institute. Donna is my Godmother. She let me wear her pearl necklace to work one afternoon. I looked very nice. I also spent a weekend with her. It was my first over night away from Buckeye. It worked out just great. Donna let me sleep on her bed. I am not allowed to do that at home.

Another of my friends at rehab is Andrea. She and I have so much fun. She gets right down on the floor and plays with me. Andrea and I have to be careful not to get me too tired out before I go and work with the patients. We have so much fun.

I think I would like to be known as the "Rehab Mascot" since so many people know me down there. Well, that is all I wanted to write about my journey.

I guess I need to add that my new family thinks I am about the perfect dog! I do have one problem area, I shed. We have been working on that but have not found a solution. I guess we all have our weaknesses. No dog is really perfect but just about perfect....