An update on Enji
Where is Enji now and how is she doing?
“Who or what is Enji?” you might ask……. Enji is a very large and important part of the 2020 Corporate Social Investment made by the Signarama Group as we celebrate our 20th Anniversary in Southern Africa. As part of these celebrations, Signarama franchisees elected to donate a portion of our annual CSI budget to the SA Guide Dogs Association.
Enji is our sponsored guide dog and the head of our 2020 CSI initiative.
An update on how she is doing:
Enji completed her Puppy Raising program with Petra, her puppy raiser, and was called in to start her formal training at our Training Centre in Paulshof.
This is very good news, since it means that Enji is moving on from ‘Puppy Training’ to the working dog training program with one of our qualified instructors. She will be participating in formal training from Mondays – Fridays and then gets a break over the weekends where she goes back to her puppy raisers home.
Enji is doing well and is as sweet as ever.
Enji is currently being trained as an Autism Support Dog (ASD) within our Service Dog department.
Autism Support Dogs are specially selected dogs that are trained to work with children with autism. The ASD’s primary role is to help with the tendency of children with autism to run away or bolt when they are distracted.
The parent or caregiver will be an ASD’s primary handler. The dog wears a soft harness; a lead is attached to this soft harness and the child holds this lead.
There are various added advantages:
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Companionship for a child with autism
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Assisting with speech therapy, general lessons and tactile issues
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Improved confidence
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Provides physical pressure needed in times of anxiety
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Interaction free from demands
We are excited to see how Enji progresses through her formal training. She will one day make a very special (and beautiful) companion to someone in need.