Saturday, January 19, 2008

it does a trainer proud.....


I can't even begin to tell you all how much I love my job. Training dogs and running classes is one of the greatest joys in my life... I actually wake up in the mornings and think "I can't wait to get to work!!!" I have met some of the most wonderful people and dogs over these past 30 (!!!!!!) years of training, and it just makes my heart sing when my students say things like ...
"I trained with you and had the greatest dog ever" OR
"The training I did with you just saved my dog's life" OR
tons of other compliments that I can't think of off the top of my head...
BUT, one of the greatest things, is when my students take their work to higher levels... often it is obedience titles and the like,,,, but in THIS case.... it goes even beyond that....
THIS is Al and his beautiful girl Gracie.... WHO as of today, has passed the Delta Society's Therapy Dog test!!!! This is a real team effort, for both handler and dog are tested!!!! The Delta Society has one of the best therapy dog programs in the US and they are very careful about what dogs pass and what ones don't... so to get to this level, is a real accomplishment!!!! I am just SO proud of this team!!!!!
More than that, is the fact that these two will bring such joy to the lives of many, many people. Finally "the world" has begun to recognize what animals do for the human race, and it is so grand that lots of places (hospitals, nursing homes, schools) are beginning to really put these wonderful creatures to good use. All I can say, is... a huge thank you to Al and Gracie for the work that they will do together... and it sure does "make a trainer proud!!!!"