- May 3, 2024
-
-
Loading
Loading
Puppy trainer prepares service dog.
Editor’s note: Chloe Perez is advertising coordinator for the Palm Coast Observer and Ormond Beach Observer newspapers.
“It’s my little mission,” said Chloe Perez, of Ormond Beach.
The Ormond Beach woman has taken upon the task of raising and training a service dog that will eventually be provided to a person with special needs. Her assignment is to raise the dog to the age of about the age of 2, making sure he knows all the basic commands, including sit, heel, come, stay, etc.
She got the dog, Kohl, at 10 weeks of age from My Angel With Paws, a company near DeLand that provides service dogs and uses volunteers throughout Volusia County as “puppy trainers.”
Perez and Kohl are constant companions after work and on the weekends, going through the training together. But, she said she’s “at peace” with the fact that she will be releasing him after his training.
“I love the dog but he’s not my pet,” she said. “He’s going to go with a lifelong companion that needs him. You’re like a foster parent.”
She said he’ll someday be trained to turn off a light, open a refrigerator door or alert about traffic. Perez will provide the basic training, and he’ll get full training for his particular mission after she releases him. The type of service will not be determined until after graduation.
“Training at an early age is essential. You’re setting up the skills for success,” she said.
For example, training to heel is very important. Someday the dog could be with someone in a wheelchair, so the dog can’t be pulling ahead on the leash.
Before moving to Ormond Beach from Orlando a few months ago, Perez was a volunteer at a riding stable, helping people with special needs get physical therapy through horseback riding. She said she “grew up riding horses,” so was able to help the patents develop balance, improve motor skills, strengthen legs and also relate to the animals.
“It was life changing,” she said. “Any type of therapy with animals is beautiful.”
Now she has turned her attention to Kohl, her golden retriever puppy.
She learned about My Angel With Paws after seeing a neighbor walking a golden retriever, a breed that she loves. The neighbor told her about the program.
“The next day I was on the phone and on the Web site,” she said. “It just seemed right. There is such a need for it.”
Her experience with horse therapy showed her that there’s a need for everyone to have a bond with something, especially an animal.
“They are so loyal and unassuming,” she said. “They don’t judge you.”
Puppy trainers get a manual to go by, and must go back to the company headquarters at least every two weeks to make sure they are on schedule in their training.
She uses positive reinforcement, and the training never really stops.
“He’s doing so well,” she said. “Raising a puppy is like raising a child. He’s very curious and loves to explore. He’s young and he’s not perfect.”
