Canine Companions, Star Wars join forces in New Albany
NEW ALBANY, Ohio (WCMH) – Canine Companions welcomed guests from a galaxy far, far away to its North Central Training Center this week.
A central Ohio-based Stars Wars group, dressed as Stormtroopers and other characters, joined the organization’s weekly puppy class. Volunteer puppy raisers are required to bring their service dogs in training to these classes at least twice a month to work on skills and help them get ready for professional training. This class had a specific focus.
“This is about socializing the dogs so that when they do encounter someone out in public with a costume on, they’re not going to be fearful or anything like that,” said Suzanna Slicien, the Puppy Program Manager for Canine Companions North Central Region.
It’s important for young dogs to be exposed to costumes that could be considered frightening, so when they are full-service assistance canines, they are able to attend festivals and theme parks with their handlers.
The Star Wars group stood by to serve as possible distractions as the puppies in training worked on skills. Canine Companions said all the dogs in attendance passed the test, including NBC4’s Puppy with a Purpose, Paris.
Paris, who first appeared on NBC4 Today in April 2024, will enter professional training with Canine Companions following a matriculation ceremony in early August.
“For dogs like Paris when they are getting ready to turn in for professional training, we’re looking at dogs that can handle lots of different environments, be exposed, and can have self-control in distracting environments with different types of people,” said Slicien. “We’re looking for calm, laid back dogs that can handle the world around them.”
Once Paris enters professional training, he will be focusing on working skills. That includes retrieving dropped items and opening and closing doors.
During that time, Canine Companions will also evaluate him and decide if he should be paired with a person who has a disability or in a facility, like a school or hospital.
Paris’ last day on NBC4 air will be Friday, August 8.
Canine Companions is currently looking for volunteer puppy raisers in central Ohio. To learn more about the puppy raising program and other volunteer opportunities, visit canine.org.