At long last, here he is! Beto--Canine Companions for Independance service dog in training! Beto is a Golden/Lab cross from CCI's breeding program. CCI choses their breeder dogs carefully, for the traits and temperments best suited for success as a service dog. There are MANY people involved in raising just one service dog to the point of graduation and being matched with a disabled person. My dear friend Kristal, and her daughter Briana (shown with Beto!) are volunteer puppy raisers for CCI. Beto is their fourth CCI pup to raise. Volunteer puppy raisers care for a CCI pup for a year to a year and a half. But it is not just feeding and pottying the dog--it is much more involved than that.
During the time that Beto lives with Kristal and Briana, they will pay for all expenses themselves--including vet shots, special food, and THREE sets of training classes. In addition to dollars, there is the additional "cost" of sleepless nights while potty training (try every two hours anyone?), and constant watching and supervision--not to mention hours and hours of training and practicing the basic obedience class things.
When Beto is old enough (around five months) they will start taking him out with them into the "real world". He will go to the grocery store, and learn that he cannot stop and sniff at the bread on the shelf. He will hear unfamiliar noises and learn that he must remain calm. He will attend church and learn that sometimes you just have to curl up and take a nap while you wait patiently for your person to be ready to leave. He will even visit resturants, and learn that you do not get to eat food that is not specifically given to you, even if it drops in front of your nose!
Later Beto will be turned in to the professional dog trainers, and he will learn to turn on and off light switches, open cupboard doors, walk behind or next to a wheel chair, and around--oh, fourty other commands!
And all of us who are fortunate enough to meet Beto, will pray and wait and watch. And maybe, if Beto agrees, he will become a Miracle. And will change someone's life forever.
2 comments:
What an adorable puppy! I am so glad that you guys have the chance to watch Beto grow!
Hoping he is a miracle someday!
Lisa :O)
Me too, Lisa! I consider myself very fortunate to live so close to them, and be able to watch their puppy raising journey. With Alison still being young, I do not feel like I am at a point of puppy raising myself, so this is the next best thing. Besides that--I get to puppy sit for them when they go on vacation! :)
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