The big guide kitty looks like a photo op!
The puppies are playing in their pen.
This one must not be awake yet!
They get curious about the pool...
...then jump right in! Come on in, the water's fine!
We were taken to the downtown training facility.
At several stops along the way, we learn more about how Leader Dogs serves the students.
We meet our dog: Toby, still in training.
Toby shows us how he can ignore distractions.
Our group rests in the coffee shop..
...then another group gathers for coffee...
...and another group! It's a dog and WMU reunion!
The groups return to the training facility.
We gather for lunch again. We LOVE to eat!
The puppies stir from their siesta.
After lunch, we are blindfolded and walk with dogs.
We learn about voice and hand signals, and how the dog will stop at the curb for us.
This dog is a nice, slow dog. Perfect for many clients.
We switch off, getting a feel for time, rate, and distance.
It's different to travel at a faster speed than we are used to (at this point in instruction) with the cane.
Forward!
Getting a feel for Toby's faster rate of walking.
This pace feels pretty good!
Good dog!
Signaling the turn.
Toby helps us cross the street.
No occluders this time. This one is a fast one!
He may be faster, but he still follows commands!