2002 William Allen Award Winners
Employee gets the word out about aide dogs
Scott Rook, a shipping coordinator for the Spares Distribution Center, is a founding member and volunteer for the Northwest Aide Dog Foundation. The organization is dedicated to educating the public about aide dogs.
Aide dogs help people with all kinds of disabilities. There are guide and hearing dogs for people who have vision or hearing problems, and service dogs for people with mobility problems. They are trained to pick up dropped objects, open and close doors, pull wheelchairs and perform other tasks.
Due to a lack of understanding, aide dogs are often denied access to public places. In Washington state, a person with a disability has the right to take a dog that has been trained to help them into all public spaces. By visiting schools, community centers and libraries throughout the state, Scott has taken his message to many people, especially children, who are the leaders of tomorrow. He's also worked with a writer and illustrator to develop a coloring book for schoolchildren about a puppy that grows up to be an aide dog.
"It's great," said Scott. "I enjoy doing it. I've learned a lot from participating in the organization." He and his wife Mary, who is in a wheelchair, and has a service animal herself, also train aide dogs.
Community Involvement - Puget Sound