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Teen Guide Dog Trainer

posted 11:38 pm Thu March 20, 2008 - Danville, VA

reporter: Noreen Turyn posted by: Webteam

tags: heart of virginia report • guide dog • trainer

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It takes a special person to love and raise a puppy, knowing you have to give it away, but that's what guide dog trainers do. In our Heart of Virginia report, we found a local teenager who started training guide dog puppies when she was 15, just for the fun of it, but after 3 years, she's learned it's a more noble calling.

Wherever Lena Cole goes, you'll find Allen right beside her.

Lena Cole, Guide Dog Puppy Trainer - "He comes to all my classes with me, comes to church with me, goes to the store with me, he pretty much goes everywhere I go."

While Lena takes classes at Danville Community College, she's also teaching a class-- to Allen.

Cole - "What they call what I do is socialization, basic obedience and getting him used to all the possible situations he might incur as a guide dog."

The normal sit, lie down, and heel commands. He's also trained when the coat is on, he's at work. And then there are the much tougher lessons in self control. They can't eat or drink on the job. Some of us have to practice our own self control, resisting the urge to pet.

Cole - "If the dog is thinking about who's the next person who's going to be petting me or looking for someone to rub them, they're not going to be focusing on work the way they should be."

But when the coat comes off, Allen gets to be himself again -- all puppy. Lena admits it's hard not to get attached. But she realizes her hobby has an important purpose.

Cole - "It's not just you're having fun training a dog but you're actually doing something worthwhile helping someone else."

Guide dog puppy trainers have them a year and a half to two years, then the dogs go to Florida to learn the rest with certified trainers. Lena says they're always looking for volunteers. Click here for the Guide Dogs website. Click here to email Lena.

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