CLEVELAND — Meet Picasso – Northeast Ohio’s newest puppy sensation with a very important mission! This pint-sized bundle of Labrador energy arrived on October 30th, after a long cross-country flight from California. He had quite the welcoming party at Cleveland Hopkins International Airport as his crate was rolled off an American Airlines flight.
A team from Canine Companions was there to greet him: humans as well as other service dogs in-training. Picasso is just beginning his journey to become a service dog and change someone's life.
Canine Companions is a national nonprofit that trains and provides highly skilled service dogs at no cost. The organization places dogs with adults and children with disabilities, as well as veterans facing PTSD, helping them achieve greater independence and confidence. Dogs may also become facility dogs, working in settings such as hospitals, residential care facilities, schools and courts.
Among those welcoming Picasso was Vicki Simons, a longtime volunteer who will raise and guide the pup through the next 18 months.
"We teach basic obedience, socialization, house manners. We do grooming, teach them how to eat appropriately, not to nip, loose-leash walking, bunch of cues, all fun stuff," Vicki said.
Picasso is Vicki's 16th puppy she will raise for Canine Companions. The first "meet and greet" is still a thrill. "What a sweet little boy and what a huge trip he had that day. He came (out of the crate) happy and snugly. It's just like my first one. Just as exciting as my first one."
Since his arrival, Picasso has been working on potty training, sitting and waiting for food. Vicki is getting him used to and comfortable with the instruments that will be used to groom him.
"I have taken him out to some very 'low key' places just to start socializing him a bit and meeting people," Vicki added.
This week Picasso joined some other Canine Companion service dogs, as well as other young dogs in training, at UB Greensfelder LLC in Cleveland. Employees learned about Canine Companions' mission, as well as the rewards of being a volunteer puppy raiser.
You can follow Picasso's progress on Ready Pet GO! as he grows and learns more skills.