June 30, 2009
PART TWO: Councilwoman Thacker Tells How Petting an Animal Helped with Healing Past Abusive Circumstances in Her Life
By Tony Rutherford
Huntingtonnews.net Reporter
Huntington, WV (HNN) - City Councilwoman Rebecca Thacker stated “I am passionate about other things too,” but she’s particularly incensed when it comes to an animal, a child or an elderly person enduring abuse.
During an interview following the Ritter Park “Chain Off,” the at-large council woman spoke frankly to HNN having an ESSA animal. That’s short for an Emotional Support Service Animal. You see, Thacker has physical challenges and has overcome emotional challenges in her life.
“I think ESSA is a wonderful program, but it is very low key. I have my cat,” Thacker said referring to the ESSA animal provided due to prior abusive situations in her life. “Fluffy got me through a lot of stuff. He’s eighteen pounds… bigger than most dogs. He’s as gentle as a lamb.”
Animals, for instance, assist in everyday living like turning door knobs and opens doors for her; the cat before she switched to satellite the cat “let me” watch television at “our house by turning it on.”
Thacker explained that a service animal does not “have to be a pedigree. They can be trained and they can be helpful [for individuals] with physical and emotional challenges. People think [only] of seeing eye dogs when they think of service animals,” she said. However, they can be a cat, a dog or a bird. “Rather than put a dog down, give them a chance to be something for somebody that needs it. An animal can sometimes help more than a person,” Thacker said, explaining that animals are not demanding nor judgmental.
Told that a service animal assists an attorney in the film , “My Sister’s Keeper,” Thacker said, “I have a friend who has a dog for epilepsy . The dog knows.” They alert someone before the person goes into a seizure either through an instinct or keen observation.
“Animals can be therapeutic, but they are not meant to be beat on, tied up and forgot about. If you can’t take care of them, find [them] a home where they can be taken care of. There are enough people out there that would take one if they need to.”
She somewhat jokingly warned that service animals can go anywhere their owner permits (her cat has visited the State Capitol and traveled to Florida) , suggesting attendance at a council meeting has been considered. “I’m tempted, but I’m afraid that meeting is going to be long. If [tethering] was set off to itself, I’d have my dog in there.”
To obtain an ESSA animal, the challenged person (or in the case of a child, their parents) must ask a physician to sign a statement. Thacker recalled seeing a 180-degree change in a significantly challenged woman after she obtained a dog. “The dog depended on her and they trained her to care for the dog.”
Normally, Thacker said, an animal trainer can assist in teaching the animal special tasks. They do not have to be sent to special, expensive long term schools such as the dogs that assist the blind.
Thacker equates domestic animals as more than just pets. “Anybody can say I own a dog, but when it comes to taking care of that dog that’s the difference [in ownership]. Having a dog does not mean just handing it out food twice a day. It means petting the dog, talking to it, and walking it. In my case, I have a fence cause I can’t walk [them] around. [Some] people want an animal just for an ornament. Mine’s not ornaments; they are family members.
Not only do “a lot of people get an animal” without realizing the responsibilities, Ms. Thacker added, “People have children and do not realize until they get them what it’s like [to raise them] either. They are full time jobs.”
I will protect a child even though I have no children. I have experienced abusive situations [so] I will fight for little kids. Now, I have a stable happy home blessed with animals --- two chihuahuas, three cats, and my husband just went to get another Chihuahua.”
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PART TWO: Councilwoman Thacker Tells How Petting an Animal Helped with Healing Past Abusive Circumstances in Her Life
By Tony Rutherford
Huntingtonnews.net Reporter
Huntington, WV (HNN) - City Councilwoman Rebecca Thacker stated “I am passionate about other things too,” but she’s particularly incensed when it comes to an animal, a child or an elderly person enduring abuse.
During an interview following the Ritter Park “Chain Off,” the at-large council woman spoke frankly to HNN having an ESSA animal. That’s short for an Emotional Support Service Animal. You see, Thacker has physical challenges and has overcome emotional challenges in her life.
“I think ESSA is a wonderful program, but it is very low key. I have my cat,” Thacker said referring to the ESSA animal provided due to prior abusive situations in her life. “Fluffy got me through a lot of stuff. He’s eighteen pounds… bigger than most dogs. He’s as gentle as a lamb.”
Animals, for instance, assist in everyday living like turning door knobs and opens doors for her; the cat before she switched to satellite the cat “let me” watch television at “our house by turning it on.”
Thacker explained that a service animal does not “have to be a pedigree. They can be trained and they can be helpful [for individuals] with physical and emotional challenges. People think [only] of seeing eye dogs when they think of service animals,” she said. However, they can be a cat, a dog or a bird. “Rather than put a dog down, give them a chance to be something for somebody that needs it. An animal can sometimes help more than a person,” Thacker said, explaining that animals are not demanding nor judgmental.
Told that a service animal assists an attorney in the film , “My Sister’s Keeper,” Thacker said, “I have a friend who has a dog for epilepsy . The dog knows.” They alert someone before the person goes into a seizure either through an instinct or keen observation.
“Animals can be therapeutic, but they are not meant to be beat on, tied up and forgot about. If you can’t take care of them, find [them] a home where they can be taken care of. There are enough people out there that would take one if they need to.”
She somewhat jokingly warned that service animals can go anywhere their owner permits (her cat has visited the State Capitol and traveled to Florida) , suggesting attendance at a council meeting has been considered. “I’m tempted, but I’m afraid that meeting is going to be long. If [tethering] was set off to itself, I’d have my dog in there.”
To obtain an ESSA animal, the challenged person (or in the case of a child, their parents) must ask a physician to sign a statement. Thacker recalled seeing a 180-degree change in a significantly challenged woman after she obtained a dog. “The dog depended on her and they trained her to care for the dog.”
Normally, Thacker said, an animal trainer can assist in teaching the animal special tasks. They do not have to be sent to special, expensive long term schools such as the dogs that assist the blind.
Thacker equates domestic animals as more than just pets. “Anybody can say I own a dog, but when it comes to taking care of that dog that’s the difference [in ownership]. Having a dog does not mean just handing it out food twice a day. It means petting the dog, talking to it, and walking it. In my case, I have a fence cause I can’t walk [them] around. [Some] people want an animal just for an ornament. Mine’s not ornaments; they are family members.
Not only do “a lot of people get an animal” without realizing the responsibilities, Ms. Thacker added, “People have children and do not realize until they get them what it’s like [to raise them] either. They are full time jobs.”
I will protect a child even though I have no children. I have experienced abusive situations [so] I will fight for little kids. Now, I have a stable happy home blessed with animals --- two chihuahuas, three cats, and my husband just went to get another Chihuahua.”
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