Bristow is home to Zen Dog Oklahoma, a dog training business for which many pet owners express heartfelt appreciation, noting in testimonials how helpful and beneficial the training has proven for their pets and households. Local Lola Carter began training dogs in 2001 through her business but developed a passion for training service dogs in 2009 after her daughter was born with spina bifida. In the last year, Lola trained a service dog for a fellow Bristow resident.
Searching for someone to train her dog for service, Nanci Galatian learned of and subsequently reached out to Lola for help. While she may not appear to need a service dog, Nanci suffers from an invisible disease: Ménière's disease. The disorder appears to be relatively rare and originates within the inner ear. It causes severe episodes of vertigo (dizziness), which may lead to dangerous falls, hearing loss, tinnitus, and feelings of pressure within the ear canal. For those reasons, Nanci needed and could benefit from a certified service dog. Thanks to Lola, she now has Colonel.
Although Colonel became the service dog Nanci so desperately needed after working with Lola, he was not her first choice. In fact, Nanci initially asked Lola to train another dog before learning the dog’s anxiety made it unsuitable for service. Lola stepped in to help. Nanci said that Lola sought and found a great dog for her through the Humane Society of Tulsa. After a visit with him, Lola confirmed he possessed the perfect combination of temperament and structure. Nanci quickly adopted him, saving him from being euthanized while also allowing him to work for her, possibly saving her life in the future as well. Following adoption, she named him Colonel and immediately turned him over to Lola for training.
Lola trained Colonel to be a certified service dog for Nanci over the course of nearly a year. Now, he picks things up for Nanci, preventing extreme dizzy spells and possible falls. He also alerts her to noise she may not adequately hear, helps to stabilize her when she loses her balance, and can seek help for her in emergency situations. As she spoke of Colonel’s trained abilities and Lola’s services, she choked up a bit, saying that Lola found him as a “godsend” and the “perfect fit” in “perfect timing” to meet her needs. She expressed her appreciation for Lola’s gifts of compassion and work in training service dogs.
As for Lola and Zen Dog Oklahoma, she offers a variety of training programs including those for behavior modification, general obedience, service dogs, and tracking dogs. Lola clarified that although she trains most types of service dogs, she does not train seeing eye dogs or service dogs under thirty pounds. Most dogs in training are allowed to live with their owners, involving them in the dog’s training. Pricing depends upon the needs of the dog and owner with payment plans available. Additionally, Lola offers refresher courses typically in the form of group classes.
For more information about Zen Dog Oklahoma including testimonials, services offered, and the opportunity to contact Lola, check out her website: zendogoklahoma.com.
In parting, Nanci shared one final message for members of the community: “When you see a service dog in public, stay clear. Don’t attempt to interact with them. They are working. Don’t pet or distract them, and please don’t question someone’s need of a service dog. Not all illnesses are visible.”