Andrea and Sunny

FACILITY DOG TEAM: Teamed Spring 2009

When I applied to Paws’itive Teams last August for a facility dog, I had no idea of the amazing journey in front of me. After interviewing and completing the application process, I was introduced to Sunny. When I met her I could tell how kind she is, as well as attuned to people’s emotions, displaying great sensitivity for the varying circumstances of each individual. Next was the process of transitioning Sunny into my work and my family’s life. I was assigned books to read on training dogs, covering many topics including self-control, leadership and behavior. I then took tests and attended trainings twice a week working with Sunny and her trainer, Carolyn Peters. Sunny was a star pupil and Carolyn’s tutelage was compassionate, extensive, and patient. Sunny now attends work with me five days a week. She currently works with children with special needs from preschool age to the 6th grade. Sunny is pivotal in providing the stimulus to help children move. For instance, a child diagnosed with Cerebral Palsy, working one-on-one with Sunny, picks up the leash and suddenly forgets she needs a walker. Another child said her first word, “dog”. Some of the things Sunny enjoys doing are playing kickball, running the bases just ahead of the power-wheelchairs and chasing a ball to the delight of the children who toss it to her. Sunny is instrumental in helping children face their fears, such as setting an example for a child who is afraid to swallow her medicine. Sunny is able to take her medicine (a treat of course) in a spoon with whipped cream, and swallow it. Guess what, the child does it next. Sunny has now settled into our family. She has helped us through the loss of our beloved Labrador, Coco and is now starting to work with my daughter Karen, who has a disability of autism and epilepsy. Sunny is showing signs of responding to Karen’s seizures, so our next journey together will be the road to service dog certification. An ambassador is an official representative of an organization or movement. Sunny is not only a representative for Paws’itive teams, but a representative of all dogs everywhere that give their lives to work with people.