Ambassador
An opportunity has arisen for Tanner and me to speak to children in public school classes about the benefits of service dogs to enhance the lives of individuals with disabilities. (For those of you who may not know, Tanner is the handsome canine in the blog photo.) As I am planning the presentation, I expect I will probably talk about Tanner’s training, show some photos and perhaps a video of him doing his “work”, and of course discuss appropriate etiquette for interacting with service dogs and their partners. (I must confess that “Do Not Pet” rule is a tough one for me and my very sociable canine companion).
I want to be well prepared with useful information presented in a manner that will engage the audience and be memorable.
In addition to providing accurate information, I want to convey how valuable service dogs are to the humans with whom they are matched. It is my desire that Tanner and I will be good ambassadors for Dogs for Disabilities. http://www.dogsfordisabilities.com/ I hope we will be on our best behavior. In order for us to represent the agency adequately and be good examples for service dogs, I need to direct Tanner well and he needs to obey the commands. It is my concern that if we do not perform well, the audience will not get a clear picture of the positive impact of service dogs.
While considering my earnest desire for Tanner to be a good representative for dogs who assist people with disabilities, I thought about how much more important it is that we are a credible representative for God. Admittedly, I am a bit apprehensive that a case of stage fright might distract Tanner from doing his tasks such as fetch in front of the class. I realize though that it is of greater significance to not allow anxiety or the fear of the opinions of others to cause me to compromise integrity in behavior. It is vital as well to not permit a poor attitude which could also bring reproach to the character of our holy God.
2 Corinthians 5:20 (New American Standard Bible)
20Therefore, we are ambassadors for Christ, as though God were making an appeal through us; we beg you on behalf of Christ, be reconciled to God.
I want to be well prepared with useful information presented in a manner that will engage the audience and be memorable.
In addition to providing accurate information, I want to convey how valuable service dogs are to the humans with whom they are matched. It is my desire that Tanner and I will be good ambassadors for Dogs for Disabilities. http://www.dogsfordisabilities.com/ I hope we will be on our best behavior. In order for us to represent the agency adequately and be good examples for service dogs, I need to direct Tanner well and he needs to obey the commands. It is my concern that if we do not perform well, the audience will not get a clear picture of the positive impact of service dogs.
While considering my earnest desire for Tanner to be a good representative for dogs who assist people with disabilities, I thought about how much more important it is that we are a credible representative for God. Admittedly, I am a bit apprehensive that a case of stage fright might distract Tanner from doing his tasks such as fetch in front of the class. I realize though that it is of greater significance to not allow anxiety or the fear of the opinions of others to cause me to compromise integrity in behavior. It is vital as well to not permit a poor attitude which could also bring reproach to the character of our holy God.
2 Corinthians 5:20 (New American Standard Bible)
20Therefore, we are ambassadors for Christ, as though God were making an appeal through us; we beg you on behalf of Christ, be reconciled to God.
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