Saint Francis Service Dogs Partners and Paws - Summer 2023

A PUP’S progr es s

Hello Everybody! It’s Lion here and I am back for my second Pup’s Progress. I can’t wait to fill you in on all the hard work I have been doing. But, don’t worry! I am also having a TON of fun along the way. Right now, I am learning so much every single day in Advanced Training. It is kind of like going to college, since I am taking all of the things I already know and really starting to apply them to the real life tasks I will do as a service dog when I graduate! I have made lots of new friends as more dogs have finished up the Puppy Program and started the next part of training with me. There are new people faces too! I have a brand new teacher named Cortney who is AWESOME! I love just being right by her side whenever I can. When I started Advanced Training, my very favorite tasks were “bump” and “get it.” I know those very well now and have added on so many more really cool skills. During this part of training, I have to focus on figuring out what all the new words mean and what my teacher needs from me. One of the best parts about it is when I get it right, I get LOTS of pets and praise. All the snuggles really motivate me to do the best I can.

During different stages of training, we have to take tests to see what skills and commands we have mastered. It helps our trainers know what we need to work on. Just recently, I got the chance to show just how much I know. I took my very first test in Advanced Training and I DID GREAT! Now, I am ready to start working on some tougher tasks. I still really love to retrieve items. Luckily, that is a big part of a service dog’s job. I have just started learning to go get a medicine bag out of the refrigerator and to help with the laundry by responding to the commands “get it” and “put it in.” I am also figuring out a lot about how to position my body by walking next to new things like wheelchairs and walkers. My trainers and all the people at Saint Francis are always telling me how far I have come. This journey I am on is pretty special and I have a feeling there are some really great things ahead of me.

Lion

“My Saint Francis family has always believed in me! I am one lucky dog!”

To read prior editions of A Pup’s Progress, visit saintfrancisdogs.org/publications

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