A PERSON IN A DOG JACKET. Captain Rick Doyle Hawaii
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Captain Rick Doyle lives in beautiful Hawaii with his Australian Cobberdog Service dog Rusty.
Rick served in the U.S. Naval Air Force, during the Vietnam War Era and worked in a top secret IMA laboratory on the missile guidance systems of the F4 Phantom fighter jet. He was stationed at NAS Miramar in San Diego, Ca., which at the time was the home of Top Gun, of Tom Cruise fame. Rick is an accomplished photographer, and his dramatic action shots of his great love, the sea and surf, quickly gained acclaim Rick moved to the island of Oahu, Hawaii from California in October of 2004 to further pursue his filmmaking and still photography career. He purchased a 40 foot cutter sailboat and became a Merchant Marine Captain in August of 2006 and made preparations to sail the globe filming exotic locations while working on documentary adventure films. Life was looking great for Rick in his new Hawaiian home and preparations for the cruise were progressing nicely. Then in July he was diagnosed with life - threatening cancer. In the dark days that followed his major surgery, one of his team of doctors, a radiation physician at the Triple Army Medical Centre recommended that a Service or Assistance Dog could be very useful in aiding in his recovery and with his disabilities that were caused by the surgery and radiation.
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That's when I heard from Rick. Did I have a puppy who could help him with his recovery?
Rutlands Rusty Doyle
Rutlands Rusty Doyle
Two years later...
“It was love at first sight and our relationship has developed into a very special alliance, friendship and companionship over the past two and half years. “Rusty goes everywhere with me. He knows everybody in town now and is welcome everywhere we go. He’s a very special puppy and has helped me greatly in my recovery from cancer. ” |
Rutlands Rusty Doyle made the trip from Rutland Manor in Australia, to Oahu, Hawaii in September of 2009, as a three month old puppy and it was a match made in heaven from day one. “He had a rough trip over,” Rick said. “ His departing flight from Australia to Hawaii was delayed for several days due to a severe dust storm, one of the worst in Australia’s history. The poor little guy had to spend a few days in an airport kennel all by himself and I know he must have been wondering what the heck was going on. When I showed up at the Honolulu airport to pick Rusty up after his flight, I peaked into his travel kennel and saw two bright eyes looking at me, and he greeted me with a big doggy smile, a wagging tail and sweet puppy kisses.” Rick said.
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“I’m attempting to be the best doggy daddy in the world. He’s such a great boy We’re both on the mend and the future looks bright for us both. Rusty is a very smart dog and due to his temperament and personality, I’ve met many people that have helped me in my recovery from the cancer.
He’s developed a rather large vocabulary as well and he answers my questions with a tilt of his head and a bark. He can count now. I ask him to tell me what 2 +1 = and he barks 3 times! It's hilarious. And he learned it almost immediately when I started to ask him. If he could only curl up his tongue to form vowels I know he would talk. Rusty has an extraordinarily loving and endearing social manner. He absolutely loves kid’s of every size and people from all walks of life. When we are on our daily walks complete strangers continually come up to inquire about him and ask if they can take his picture. He happily obliges and dispenses unconditional love in return. When we enter a room to cheer people up, he lights up the room with his personality. Rusty’s not really a dog, he’s a person in a dog suit.”
Rusty was registered as an ALFA Companion Dog in February 2010 and upon his graduation from beginning and intermediate obedience training he was awarded his AKC Canine Good Citizen Award in July 2010 after passing his tests with flying colors. He started his Public Access Service Dog training and his tactile stimulation and mobility training upon receiving his AKC award. Rusty is now recognized as registered Service Dog with the USAR in accordance with the laws and regulations set forth by the US Department of Justice and the Americans with Disabilities Act.
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