COPE FERMOY PARTICIPANTS HONOURED AT DOG TRAINING AWARDS
School was out at the Cope Foundation, Fermoy this week as the participants of a Puppy Training Programme received certificates recognising their efforts in helping the Irish Dogs for the Disabled organisation.
The initiative, run in conjunction with County Cork VEC, sees participants of the Puppy Training Programme socialise and train puppies for a twelve-month period. Specific goals for the puppies included toilet training to a verbal command, obedience, lead training and other skills.
At the certificate presentation in the Cope Foundation the dogs showed the skills they picked up over the last year, which include fetching items on command and taking socks off participants.
The participants themselves were introduced to Charlie, a 9-week-old pup who will be part of the next wave of dogs to undergo the course in the next academic year. The participants were treated to a video of people who use the service provided by Dogs for the Disabled, and all gave testimony to the confidence they have in their day to day lives thanks to the assistance the dogs provide them.
As part of the training the Cope Foundation participants are also involved in the Irish Dogs for the Disabled ‘Community Visitation Programme,’ where the participants and the puppies visit people in long term residential care, special needs facilities and hospitals in the locality.
The visits are designed to let people who may have had to leave pets behind enjoy the therapeutic presence of animals, while the participants learn the responsibility of handling animals.
Judging by the friendships forged in the Cope Foundation, the next canine visit will be eagerly anticipated.
Published:
Thursday 9th July 7:02pm
