The Kid Factor

I failed to mention in the last blog post about what we're doing with the kids...and more importantly why. The kid factor or since the boys call themselves bros...the bro factor in Tripper's training and development has proven to be equally if not more important than Mike or myself and maybe even Casey. (I didn't forget about Rocky but let's be serious she doesn't do much for Tripper) But the boys...they've been amazing.

It's no surprise that since the beginning of school Tripper's popularity has grown throughout the entire campus. To the point now where to parents and students I'm the lady who keeps Tripper, which I can't decide if it's better or worse than the trainers wife...my former title. Either way everyone knows Tripper and is eager to pet him and shower him with love and affection.

Since I started the Tripper Training Club (which really needs a better name I think...any suggestions?) we've had about 35 boys signed up to learn about the different training techniques used to train guide dogs. They come once a week and work with one of 12 campus dogs we have in the program (Casey and Rocky McCormick, Maya Rawdon, Dusty Randall, Raven Gottsegen, Nala Wynne, Rosie Lewis, (all labs or lab mixes) Bauer Will (Weimaraner) Hazel Smith (puggle) Oscar Delgado (Pincher) Bing Phelps (a something poo) and Nanook Smith (Labradoodle).

The hope is by January the boys will have learned enough and Tripper will have learned enough that they boys can bring him to classes with them, to the dinning hall, chapel...you name it. Each boy will have to attended a certain number of training classes, and individual classes with just me, the boy and Tripper. In addition they will be "tested" out to make sure that they have all of the skills necessary to handle Tripper correctly without disturbing the class or Tripper's development.

There have been many cases across the US that when prisons implement similar programs the prisoners respond by becoming more accountable, responsible and have an increased desire to help others. Not to compare an all boys boarding school to a prison...but we're starting to see similar affects here. So much so that the boys have asked if they could adopt shelter dogs to bring them in the program. If only Mike would let them sleep here!!! The boys just want to spend as much time with the dogs as possible...and I can't blame them.
 

So it will be interesting to see how the year plays out. We've already had boys asking if Tripper can graduate with them and walk across the stage!! We'll have to see what the headmaster thinks of that. Until then he continues to grow every day and turn into an amazing dogs...and thanks to a loving husband, an amazing teacher in Casey, a tough older sister in Rocky, campus dog playmates and 300 boys.