SimchaCH Tres Aide Joyeux - HIC,CGC,CD,RN,RA,NAJ,TT,TDI

Simcha

Simcha- our 1st Briard - She started it all so it is her fault for being such a great dog, that we couldn't have just one!

I began my search for a dog that would work for our youngest boy Deanie. He is a quadriplegic child and I wanted a helper dog for him. Deanie is never able to receive a service dog from and organization, so I decided to train one for him.

Background

What lead me to a Briard Dean and young Simcha

I was not sure what type of dog I wanted, I had tried several breeds and listened to lots of people. This quest started many years ago. I had an Akita I taught to pull a sled, but inexperience lead to problems in training areas and we did not go far with good old Rocky- but she was the greatest friend. She died at age 14.

I tried to rescue dogs after talking with a trainer in Colorado who did this for handicapped people. That too was a nightmare and I decided to do some homework on dog breeds and see what would fit our family.

The 1st breed I happened upon was a Belgian Sheepdog. I got him from a breeder in Maryland. What a smart dog, I had him trained to do so many things quickly, but his energy was so high, that even thought he had a job, I couldn't keep him busy enough. A friend, who had 900 acres took him and he was the happiest camper in the world.

GREAT- so now what??? While watching a dog show on TV, I saw this hairy shaggy thing that was in the herding group. I DO love the herding dogs for their brains and brawn. But what the heck was this? I had never seen it before..... it was called a what??? Bee yard? Great- thank goodness for the internet. Lots of searches later, I called a few breeders. Christi Leigh, from Celebra Briards, was the most helpful and though there were no puppies on the ground, I decided to wait until Christi had a litter due.

Simcha was born April 3, 2002. It was such an exciting day- but we still had no idea if they would have a puppy that would fit the bill. It was a long wait until one day, Christi called and said, come up with a girl name, you have a girl puppy here that is very special and she needs a name.

NAME??? oh yeah- after lots of discussion- my daughters and I decided Simcha was perfect - it means JOY in Hebrew and we thought this is what she would be ! Pure Joy!

Were we right?

briard pull wheelchair

We could not have been more pleased with this little girl. She was the smartest thing I had ever had the privilege of working with. She would sleep cuddled up with her boy Deanie, she was very quick to learn in the classes we went to. The trainer commented how smart she was, and did not know if it was a Briard or just Simcha, as she had never worked with a Briard before. We will tell you now- it is the fact that she was a Briard, owning 3, we know they are VERY smart!!!

Simcha loves to be with Deanie, she enjoys helping take his socks off, taking diapers to the garbage, and pulling his wheelchair. Deanie enjoys her as well, and seems to know that she helps him - they are a team.

baby briard

Simcha and Deanie have been able to strut their stuff at an AKC show, Simcha won her final point and Deanie got to show her! Take a look at our slideshow presentation. Click the photo to view.

AKC Slideshow

More of Simcha

Simcha enjoys working with Jim in agility.

Our Girl Simcha A Champion in so many ways!