In New Mexico, a 35-dog group graduated from assistance dog training, according to the Santa Fe New Mexican.
Inside the New Mexican School for the Deaf’s James A. Little Theater, the graduating pups and their parents lined up to celebrate the big occasion. The ceremony represents the completion of the dogs’ six-month training, and they will now go out into the community to support people with disabilities. Local organization Assistance Dogs of the West directs the training program.
New Mexico’s Premier Assistance Dog Trainers
In 1995, according to the group’s website, Founder Jill Stein created Assistance Dogs of the West (ADW). The group is rooted in “respect for the singular bond between humans and dogs and their unique ability to work together as a team.” Since then, the group has maintained an emphasis on “compassionate training approaches” to prepare dogs to serve the community.
Another aspect of ADW’s programs is “teaching diverse student populations to support the work of professional dog trainers.”
Amazingly, ADW also trains dogs to serve people with various disabilities. Among those are “mobility impairments, autism spectrum disorders, developmental disabilities, seizure disorders, diabetes and post-traumatic stress disorder.”
ADW takes great care to pair dogs with the perfect parent. Apparently, dogs regularly go through several interviews until they figure out the right fit. Some dogs will even go into public service, working in courtrooms and hospitals to provide care and therapy.
Ali MacGraw in Attendance
Fascinatingly, famous actress and renowned animal advocate Ali MacGraw attended the ceremony, even giving a speech celebrating the dogs and ADW’s amazing work. During the ceremony, MacGraw said, “Assistance Dogs of the West has incorporated an innovative, powerful educational component where students of all ages, all walks of life, all abilities, learn to train service dogs under the guidance of our professionals.”
Unlike other graduation ceremonies, this one didn’t feature any caps or gowns. However, the dogs did all wear “distinctive red vests” that marked their successful completion. Hopefully, there were plenty of good pets and treats, too.
