Who remembers Kinnick?! He’s the adorable 16-month old black Labrador/Golden Retriever cross who is living here in Boulder City and training to be a service dog through Canine Companions for Independence.
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Well, Kinnick and his puppy-raiser, Kelly Haugh, are headed to Washington D.C. to represent Canine Companions for Independence at next week’s 57th Presidential Inauguration!
Kelly and Kinnick will join 131 other people and 57 dogs in the Inaugural Parade, as Canine Companions was one of 43 organizations chosen to participate out of 2,800 applicants. In the press release, Kelly said that she’s “very proud to be part of a national tradition and to be representing Canine Companions”.
Kelly has raised Kinnick since he was eight weeks old, preparing him for a life of service to an individual with a disability. As a volunteer puppy raiser, she provides Kinnick with basic training and socialization opportunities, along with a lot of love.
Kinnick will return to Canine Companions in May and begin six months of professional training with staff instructors. Then, if he displays the right temperament and skills, he will graduate as an assistance dog.
Canine Companions assistance dogs are trained in up to 50 commands to help people with limited mobility accomplish everyday, practical tasks. The dogs can open and close doors and drawers, activate light switches, retrieve dropped objects and more. For more information on the organization, visit www.cci.org.
