You may recognize the name of the furry focus of today’s interview, as he’s been the focus of several of our stories. Tavi is a 1-year-old Canine Companions for Independence puppy. State Farm^® sponsors the nonprofit organization that provides professionally trained assistance dogs to people with disabilities at no charge. Tavi, which means “good” in Hebrew, was kind enough to sit down with us recently to catch up on what’s been going on, what it’s been like being raised in a foster family and what he thinks about going to service dog school.

Q: You recently turned 1…or is it 7? We forget how dog-years work. Anyway, how did you celebrate?

A: My hooman parents bought me a puppy birthday cake – peanut butter flavor, so yummy!! My State Farm sponsor family had this big celebration at CityLine campus with cookies and cupcakes (they should have been pupcakes) for all the friendly faces who have been supporting me. I also showed off my sit, down, visit and other commands I have learned!

Q: Sounds like quite the party! Who taught you those commands and why?

A: My Birds taught me, and I know what you’re thinking, dogs are supposed to chase birds, but these Birds are different. My Birds are hooman and have a bunch of classes they attend to make sure I’m ready to go on to service dog training in February. They’ve got to teach me about 30 different commands, which I guess is a lot, but I don’t really understand numbers too well, so who knows? One of the biggest things I’m getting out of my training is learning more self-control, which can be ruff.

Q: Talk about your future plans. What’s next for you?

A: Well, once or twice a month, we go to this puppy class where I get to see other dogs like me and we do more structured practice. It’s kind of a big deal, because it’s supposed to get me ready for service dog school. That’s where me and the other dogs learn to help people who can’t do things for themselves. I’m excited to go, even though I’m going to miss my Birds. I’ll still get to visit them, though, which is great!

Q: Thanks for sitting down with us, Tavi. Anything else you’d like people to know?

A: Just that I’m thankful to the Birds, Canine Companions and State Farm for giving dogs like me the chance to help people who need it. It’s a really great deal, and I’m proud as a puppy to be a part of it. Oh, and also that you don’t always need to ask us dogs “Who’s a good boy??” We know it’s us!

Ask Before You Pet

Brooklyn Mobley is State Farm employee in Dallas who’s legally blind and is accompanied to work by her service dog, Liam. The two shared some handy tips on how folks should interact with service dogs and their owners.

1. Ask the handler/owner if you can pet the dog. Don’t be offended when you hear “NO” because the dog is working.
2. Speak to the handler/owner and not the dog. You would be surprised at how many people talk to the dog first!
3. If you ask the handler/owner if they need assistance and they decline, trust that they don’t need help.
4. Respect the handler/owners’ time. When they are at work, they can’t stop to answer frequent questions about their dog.
5. Service dogs are often on a strict diet. Don’t give them treats or try to feed them without permission from the handler/owner.

While on a delivery to a local business, George Berkeley, owner of a local UPS Store, needed to walk across the street. As he looked left for the traffic flow, an illegally parked car on his right backed up and ran over him.

Fortunately, the South Orange Rescue Squad was in the right place at the right time. The members of the rescue squad quickly sprang into action, getting the car off George and transporting him to the hospital in record time. George’s injuries were not life threatening, and he continues to praise the Squad for their prompt and professional service.

It is dedication like this that helped the South Orange Rescue Squad gain support of the local community. This support would became critical as the Rescue Squad would soon need saving.

Rescue Squad sends out a 911

Like many volunteer departments around the country the South Orange squad struggled to stay afloat in a time when private ambulance companies were on the rise. Their headquarters was in jeopardy of being displaced when a developer purchased the building where they were located. Through negotiation, the developer agreed to donate land elsewhere for the rescue squad, but they would need to build a new headquarters.

Catherine* became an advocate for the squad after they saved her husband. When her husband went into sudden cardiac arrest, Catherine immediately called 911. With their usual fast response, the squad arrived before the police and were instrumental in saving the life of this husband and father of two. The family was so thankful and they told friends and family about the great work of the squad. Soon, funds started rolling in. The Squad also entered the State Farm Neighborhood Assist grant program.

Catherine shared information with local media outlets and anyone who would listen. Her efforts helped them gain great community support and they won one of the $25,000 grants.

Realizing anyone can experience an emergency like her family, Catherine is working with the squad to make sure the community has access to first aid and CPR classes. The classes will be held at their new facility, in a special training room that was made possible in part by the State Farm Neighborhood Assist grant.

The new headquarters is being built and is expected to open December 2015.

“The renewed support from the community and our new facility will help us start a new chapter at the Rescue Squad.” Melanie Troncone, President of the squad said, “It showed us that our hard work and dedication is appreciated by more people than we imagined.”

Local legislators, Assemblywoman Mila M. Jasey and Assemblyman John F. McKeon all rallied to support the squad. McKeon shared, “They serve an important purpose in our community by ensuring our neighbors receive crucial emergency medical aid, free of charge.”

Once the new headquarters is open, it will be dedicated in memory of Mary Connor, matriarch of the South Orange Rescue Squad. After joining the Rescue Squad in 1969 Mary dedicated more than 40 years of her life in service to the Rescue Squad and the community. Mary also served as President of the Squad for many years.

Another way the Squad is making sure the community will always have supportive services is through their Cadet program. The program is run through the local high school and instructed by members of the Rescue Squad. Students take classes in first aid and safety and then volunteer on evenings and weekends to cover shifts with the squad.

Working alongside certified emergency medical technicians, allows the cadets a hands-on experience and sets them on a path of helping others recover from the unexpected.

Squad Captain Dan Cohen said “Being displaced caused the community to think that we were no longer around. But the support we received through our fundraising campaign helped get us back in the public eye. Now they know we are here…just like a good neighbor.”

*Catherine is an alias

South Orange Rescue Squad STATS

A beautiful autumn day in Western Pennsylvania could have turned fatal for a local resident had it not been for the heroic actions of Renno Young.

Eighteen year-old Renno, of Bethel Park will graduate in January 2015 from the local High School. On October 3, his usual trip from the Steel Center for Career and Technical Education to the school turned eventful.

Intending to stop at his home, Renno turned down his street and noticed flames and smoke billowing from a neighbor’s house. As he got closer, he could see someone trying to open the garage door of the nearly engulfed house.

Flames were shooting all around the garage. Young stopped his car and jumped into action, running up the driveway and opening the garage door. A cloud of smoke came from the garage, revealing the trapped woman. He carried her from the burning home and called 9-1-1.

The woman was wearing a burnt oxygen mask. Young retuned to the burning home with another neighbor and carried more than 20 oxygen canisters away from the house. They averted another incident, the heated tanks could have become explosive missiles.

Paramedics transported the homeowner to a Pittsburgh area hospital in serious, but stable, condition. The fire completely destroyed her house.

Bethel Park Volunteer Fire Company Chief Dave Gerber said the fire likely started in the lower level of the house. Seven fire companies responded, but could only attack the fire from the outside, due to the risk of additional oxygen tanks in the home.

“Had it not been for the actions of Mr. Young, this would have likely been a fatality. He is truly a hero,” the Fire Chief shared.

Renno’s State Farm agent, Chuck Falkowski, treated the young man to lunch, expressing his appreciation for Renno’s actions.

“This young man is so deserving of this recognition, it is an honor to have him and his family as part of the State Farm family,” the agent shared.

Renno doesn’t consider himself a hero and didn’t think twice before jumping into action. He calls his actions, “divine intervention.” Very humble about the entire incident, Renno, who works for his family’s restaurant, quietly asked his agent how to get the smoky smell from his car.

The Municipality of Bethel Park and the Bethel Park Volunteer Fire Company recently recognized Renno for his heroic actions by presenting him with a Medal of Valor and a certificate at a council meeting.