(Western suburbs - Northeastern Illinois) — The dog days of summer last throughout the year for one local girl, but she’s not complaining a bit.
Morgan Riley, a 15-year-old Glen Ellyn resident, accepts a new puppy each year from Canine Companions for Independence. She takes the puppy during the summer and spends the next 18 months training it to serve as an assistance dog for people with disabilities.
“I met someone through my church who did this, and I’ve loved dogs for many years,” Morgan said. “I’ve been working with this group since I was in third grade. In the beginning, I would just help them out with some tasks. I got my first dog to train when I was in fifth grade.”
Founded in 1975, CCI is “the largest nonprofit provider of assistance dogs,” according to its website. It matches dogs with individuals throughout the country.
Morgan, an incoming sophomore at Glenbard West High School, took in her sixth puppy this year. She also is continuing to train her fifth dog, who is now a year old.
She starts out house training the puppies and teaches them basic tasks. Then, she begins training dogs to perform more complex skills such as picking up objects and opening doors.
Christina Riley, Morgan’s mother, said in an email that raising these dogs is a 24/7 responsibility for Morgan. She also said that Morgan has seen three of her dogs graduate from CCI to be matched with disabled people and one dog become a therapy dog in Glen Ellyn.
“With a normal 30 percent graduation rate, her achievement is outstanding for CCI,” a proud Christina Riley wrote.
When asked what she gets most out of the experience with CCI, Morgan said, “Just to see my dogs graduate and get matched with someone who needs them is very rewarding.”
These dogs will go on to help another person live a more fulfilling life, and programs like this are extraordinary. The dogs will provide help and companionship for many years to come.
As cute as they are, dealing with puppies can be a real challenge. It’s great to see a local girl making use of her time so someone else can live more independently.
Jerry Moore is the opinions editor for Suburban Life Publications.
By Jerry Moore, jmoore@mysuburbanlife.com
Suburban Life Publications
http://www.mysuburbanlife.com/bartlett/features/x1607169926/Jerry-Moore-Girl-trains-dogs-to-help-people-with-disabilities
No comments:
Post a Comment