Thirteen assistance dog teams recently celebrated completing an intensive one-on-one training program provided at no charge by Hearing and Service Dogs of Minnesota.

All teams worked with a professional trainer and passed a public access test in order to be certified by Hearing and Service Dogs of Minnesota and participate in the graduation ceremony.

Pauline Iverson and her service dog, Winter, were among the graduates.

The 2009 graduating class included 13 teams, including three hearing dogs, seven service dogs and three autism assistance dogs.

The canine commencement was held May 16 at Anne Sullivan School in Minneapolis.

According to Shelly Heimer, marketing and communications specialist, “Hearing and Service Dogs of Minnesota is dedicated to enhancing the quality of life for people who are deaf, hard of hearing, or disabled by creating mutually beneficial partnerships with specially trained dogs.”

All services are provided to clients free of charge.

The organization is supported by contributions from individuals, foundations and corporations. Austin’s Iverson, an insulin-dependent diabetic, was able to obtain her service dog, Winter, through the assistance of the Austin Noon Lions Club and district Lions organization.

Winter, a shelter dog, can detect when diabetic Iverson is suffering seriously low blood sugar levels. The female yellow Labrador retriever goes to Iverson, nudges her to revive her from slipping into unconsciousness and retrieves a favorite Mountain Dew soda pop from the kitchen so that Iverson can lift her blood sugar level.

Minnesota Lions District 5 M1 and the Austin Noon Lions Club made financial donations to Pauline and Mike Iverson to help build a backyard fence at their Austin residence and with other expenses.

Heimer said the commencement ceremonies symbolized how “connected” service dogs and their families are in life; particularly when a crowd of more than 200 people participated.

“They were the friends, families, volunteers and benefactors of 13 very proud graduate teams who received their ‘diplomas’ from Hearing and Service Dogs of Minnesota,” she said.

“These unique graduate teams, 13 people and their assistance dogs, had just

completed an intense one-on-one training and certification program lasting

from a few weeks to several months,” Heimer said. “As each team progressed through the training, their skills and their bond increased.”

Hearing and Service Dogs of Minnesota’s executive director, Al Peters said, “Watching each of the teams grow together is an amazing journey.

“They each develop new abilities that make the team a true partnership,” Peters said. “They gain new confidence together that will enhance each area of their lives.”

Each graduate’s story was told through words, video and a sign language

interpreter as they took the stage, according to Heimer.

“They waited with great excitement as their volunteer puppy raiser or trainer formally presented them with their dog,” she said.

Graduates were presented with their paper diploma and each assistance dog with a “nyla bone” diploma and specially designed mortar board graduation cap.

Laurie Carlson, volunteer coordinator for Hearing and Service Dogs of

Minnesota said, “This is the culmination of many, many hours of hard work

and dedication on the part of the volunteers, staff and most of all the

graduates and their families. It is the best celebration of what we do — our

dogs fetch amazing things.”

To learn more about Hearing and Service Dogs of Minnesota visit their

website at www.hsdm.org.