Saturday, February 25, 2012

The best medicine ... puppy dog kisses!

Every month, volunteer puppy raisers for Southeastern Guide Dogs are expected to gather together with our pups-in-training for an outing in a public place. We are always looking for opportunities that will be good exposure for our puppies which will benefit their training to be successful guide dogs. 

In February, The Houston Puppy Raisers - south team - chose to visit a nursing home. The Colonnades at Reflection Bay, a skilled nursing home facility in Pearland, TX, welcomed us into their facility on Sunday, Feb 12th. This visit meant alot to us. It was a blessing to the residents we greeted and it was a good learning experience for our puppies.

Here are some photos from our outing.


 From left, Melissa and Greg with Smokey, Meredith and Michael with Tulip, Abby and Sharon with Suzette, Karen and Chris with Jane, Jenni with Lou-Lou, Bob and Carol with Hannah, and Gabby with Lou


 From Left: Jenni with Lou-Lou, Smokey (in foreground), Eileen

Roaming the halls, looking for new friends...



Karen and Chris with Jane (in background), Greg with Smokey (in foreground)

Members of The Colonnades Staff were impressed with the pup's good behavior.

Smokey and Jane
Eileen, Michael with Tulip, Jenni with Lou-Lou
 Abby & Sharon with Suzette, Gaby & Gloria with Lou, Carol with Hannah, Greg with Smokey
  Carol with Hannah, Greg with Smokey, Chris with Jane

It was very gratifying to see all the dogs so well-behaved, especially as we stood visiting in the foyer.



The dogs were especially good around all the "moving" wheel chairs.  Some pups were invited into a few patient rooms to visit bed-ridden patients so they could pet the pups.  Normally, pups-in-training are not allowed pets in jacket after 10 months of age. In this instance, we were allowed to treat all dogs regardless of age, as Ambassador Dogs, so patients could pet freely. What better medicine is there than puppy dog kisses?



 The facility is two story so we spent a bit of time working the puppies to "find" and ride in the elevator.
Going up, anyone?


This was the last outing for Smokey, Suzette, Lou-Lou and Hannah who go IFT on March 3.
We love you always and will miss you. Go forth and make us proud!

Great job puppies and handlers!
Thanks to the staff and residents of The Colonnades, for the warm welcome!

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