By Meredeth Barzen

When we tuned in to watch “Through A Dog’s Eyes,” a PBS documentary that follows service dogs in the Canine Assistants program of Milton, Georgia, we were moved at its nuanced depiction of the volunteers, parents, kids and animals involved in the process of training and placing a service dog. In addition to depicting how a service dog is placed with its person, the film explores the human/dog bond and explains how dogs evolved to serve and please their humans—it will make you see your own dog in a new light. In case you missed it, you can watch the entire film here.

A couple of days and at least one box of Kleenex later, we learned the documentary was produced by the folks at TPT, PBS’ Minnesota affiliate. According to Gerry Richman, executive in charge for the film and vice president for national production at TPT, the idea came about after Jennifer Arnold, Canine Assistants’ founder, wrote a book on her work with service dogs.

“I’m a ‘dog civilian’—I don’t own a dog, but I learned so much about dogs [while making the film],” Gerry says. “Naomi Boak, the film’s executive producer [and a fellow Minnesotan], is a real lover of dogs and she’s been involved with dogs her whole life. She’s been the guiding light of the show, and her knowledge both helped and informed the show.”

Canine Assistants Founder Jennifer Arnold

As a relative dog novice, Gerry was surprised to see the unique way these dogs bond with their people. He mentions a section in the show when a little boy’s service dog doesn’t bond properly to him, and he has to try another as a key moment. “The first few weeks a service dog spends with their recipient are really hard. And the film shows that it doesn’t always work; it’s a very unique relationship that needs time to work out.”

The film has gotten a passionate responses both nationally and locally, Gerry says.”People were thrilled to see the story. Most people have a great affection for dogs, and Jennifer Arnold specifically—she’s really the real deal and a terrific human being.”

“This film was an exhilarating experience for everybody involved, because to be around these dogs is a joy and a gift, and to appreciate what the dogs do and how they do it is truly uplifting,” Gerry says. “The deep relationships between the recipients and the dogs that evolved—it’s great human drama and great human emotion. I will never look at a dog in the same way.”

If you’d like to learn more about service dogs, you can contact one of many local service dog organizations, including Can Do Canines, Helping Paws and PawPADs.

Another weekend, another walk-a-thon. This time, the nonprofit du semaine is the always wonderful Helping Paws, which provides service dogs to people with disabilities (gotta love those adorable blue vests the pups wear!) Early registration for the annual Wag, Walk & Run is closed, but you can still register on walk day and raise pledges for this noble cause. Remember, those blue vests don’t pay for themselves!

The Deets

Date: Sunday, May 23, 2010

Time: One-mile, 12-and-under Kids’ Run at 9 a.m.; 5K six-legged (that’s a team of one person plus one pooch) run/walk at 9:30 a.m.

Location: Beautiful Purgatory Creek Recreation Area, Eden Prairie

Cost: Registration $20 (12 and under), $35 (adults), waived if you collect donations of $75 or more.

Fun Stuff: Meet Helping Paws service dogs in training, enter the dog contests, watch dog demonstrations, visit the sponsor and vendor booths and say hi to Sidewalk Dog (an event sponsor) while you’re there!

More Info: Click here for all you need to know.

See you there!

The Pohlads' girls, left to right: Hannah, Tasha and Luca

By Meredeth Barzen

When Minnesotans hear the name Pohlad, they think of baseball. After all, that’s where local businessman and Minnesota Twins owner Carl Pohlad has made a name for himself. But look a little closer at the prominent family’s favorite causes and you’ll start to associate the name with another great American pastime: dogs.

The Pohlad Family Foundation has supported local pet groups like Helping Paws, says Rebecca Pohlad, who has emerged as the most visibly dog-oriented member of the family. She and husband Robert (one of Carl’s three sons) are Dog Mom and Dog Dad to three of the luckiest German shepherds on the planet—9-year-old Luca, 8-year-old Tasha, and 1-year-old Hannah roam where they will on the couple’s 25-acre property in Washington’s San Juan Islands near Seattle. Hannah likes to chase deer, Pohlad says (“I think she will pass out if she ever catches one!”), and adds that the pup also loves to take a dip in the pool, then shake water all over innocent bystanders.

“Luca loves to be the center of attention,” Rebecca says, “Tasha is aloof, but when she is alone with you, she is a love. Hannah is just plain funny—can’t explain it, but she makes me laugh all the time. She loves to snuggle.”

Though Robert never had dogs growing up, he took his marriage to Rebecca as an excuse to add a canine member to the family. “We got our first cocker spaniel a week after being married and after she died, we have had shepherds ever since—six total in our 32 years of marriage,” Rebecca says. “Our [three] sons loved having what I call ‘the girls,’—they are my female companions.”

And while the Pohlad dogs are living the good life on the West coast, Rebecca and Robert keep local animals close to their hearts as well. Rebecca is a big fan of The Pet Project—so much so that she donated to the group in her dog-loving friends’ names as Christmas gifts last year. “I want people in these troubled times to be able to keep their pets. Families are losing their homes and sometimes do not have enough money for food. What an even worse blow to a family than also having to give up their pet,” she says. “That is why The Pet Project means so much to me.”

Rebecca also counts the Animal Humane Society as a group she believes in. “Animals cannot speak for themselves; they cannot express the hurt of being beaten or being hungry, so we must be there for them,” she says. “The Animal Humane Society of Golden Valley does so much good and they deserve support from all of us that can help. My goal is to not have to see the commercials on TV about animals that are in need; and that all animals will be cared for with kindness and have homes with love and food.” Rebecca adds that she’s just heard about MN SNAP, and will be following their progress as well.

When they’re in town, Rebecca somehow summons up the energy to take three full-grown German shepherds out for a social day. “Our favorite place is Lucia’s,” she says. “They have a lovely water bar for dogs and Lucia also loves dogs and has two of her own.”

And though she finds it hard to explain her love for her dogs, Rebecca offers a mantra that she and her family live by: “Be thankful for what you have. Be aware of what is around you. Use you time, talents or financial support to help those less fortunate.”