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Edition:
September 02, 2010
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NEWS
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Wednesday, November 19, 2008
Strawhorn's last months with Keanu
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• by Barbie Porter
After eight months potty training and teaching basic obedience to Keanu, a lab-retriever mix, Vergas resident Donna Strawhorn is getting ready to give him back.
After 14 months with Strawhorn, Keanu will return to the Canine Companions for Independence (CCI), an organization that places puppies in foster homes until they're old enough to be trained to assist the disabled.
While in foster homes, the puppies learn socialization skills and basic commands. To date, Keanu knows sit, stand, (lay) down, (bark) speak, stay and how to properly behave around people.
When he returns to CCI, which is based in Ohio, Keanu will undergo a rigorous six-month course where he'll learn an additional 40 commands, including how to hand clerks credit cards, open doors and even pick up an egg without breaking it.
While visiting the Frazee Care Center (FCC) Friday, Nov. 14, Strawhorn and Keanu gave a glimpse of great things to come.
As Strawhorn explained the CCI program to FCC residents, Keanu sat by her side with his eyes focused on the bird cage.
With drool dripping from his muzzle, Keanu remained seated and focused.
When Strawhorn gave the down command he followed direction without hesitation.
Strawhorn explained Keanu's aptitude for following commands even triumphs when his appetite is put to the test.
She set two treats on the top of Keanu's paws. He examined the tempting treats but never moved his paws or went in for a quick bite.
While not all dogs go on to assist a person in need, Strawhorn believes Keanu will be one of the elite to graduate from the CCI program.
"I have trained one other dog," Strawhorn said. "He didn't make it (through the program), but Keanu is much more intelligent and focused."
If he does pass the rigorous training that awaits him, he'll be part of the elite 40 percent who will graduate and become a faithful companion and helping hand.
The dogs who don't graduate are either returned to the foster parents who trained them in their early days or given to other owners as a very well trained pet.
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