Making Good Citizens The project’s work includes more than rescue dogs. It enables college students to work through issues with their pets. ISU student Samantha Gibson enrolled for help with her 4-year- old terrier mix, who had “major reactivity issues.” “The biggest thing I learned was about having emotional intelligence. I learned right away that my dog fed off me, and I needed to be able to control my own emotions for my dog to be able to work,” Samantha says. “I also learned what made my dog react and how I could deter him from reacting.” By the end of the semester, her dog earned his CGC and Trick Dog Novice titles. Each semester, the Ace Project has classes for all levels of Canine Good Citizen, plus tricks and agility. “We work toward every foster dog having the capability to get a Novice Tricks or CGC title by the end of the semester,” Cheryl says. “Students training their own dogs also work toward those goals.”
While working through issues with her Staffie-mix, Samantha learned agility basics and caught the agility bug! She has adopted a young Australian Shepherd, enrolled her in the outreach novice agility class, and started dock diving with both her dogs.
floor with her head on my lap. She trusted me and my vet.”
A graduate student worked with a dog named Tucker, who was very reactive. Tucker progressed enough to be placed in a foster- to-adopt situation but he ended up biting again and was humanely euthanized. “I remind students of these dogs every semester: how much trauma they suffered in their previous lives, how much love they got with us, and ultimately, how much empathy and care they were shown to end their suffering because chronic mental pain is pain.” And then there are the surprises. Cheryl reluctantly accepted a 12-week-old puppy named Steeler. He was labeled as “unlikable” and a biter. Soon after arriving at ISU, they noticed a lameness in his rear leg. It turned out he was born with an instability in the leg that caused pain and led to his behavior. “He 100 percent won all our hearts, and a student adopted him,” Cheryl said. “The students rallied a fund raiser, and he recently had surgery. Prognosis is great. We can’t wait to meet the pain-free ‘unlikable puppy.’ ” Article gathered from https://www. akc.org/expert-advice/family- dog/the-ace-project/ This article originally appeared in the award-winning AKC Family Dog magazine.
Annika Parks
Working the Room: Flurry, shown here with Ace Project founder Cheryl Morris, has gained the confidence to show other dogs how to overcome fear. Not all results are happy ones. Some dogs cannot be rehabilitated and placed into homes. Cheryl fostered a dog named Jersey, who had severe aggression issues. Jersey was in the Ace program for about 10 months without significant improvement. “She could be fine for one minute, then attack a dog or person the next second. She did both repeatedly. She was euthanized on my kitchen
Rally, parkour, and scent work were recently added to the curriculum.
Cheryl also teaches five outreach agility classes for the community, from foundation through competition levels. “College students assist with the classes and learn how to course build, bar set, and play the game,” Cheryl says. “The class fees help pay for the costs for foster dogs, including crates, vet care, and food.”
Missouri Pet Breeders Association | Page 12
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