Rosa King was used to having animal companions at home, but right before she came to 91²Ö¿â, her dog passed away. On campus, she connected with Paws for a Cause, a student organization at 91²Ö¿â that helps train and socialize service dogs in training. At first, King became a sitter, then she said, "I surprised my family by actually getting a foster and he is actually my second one."
Rosa King (left), Chanel (front center) and Crick, (back center). Photo by Kaitlyn Rice, junior chemistry major and president of 91²Ö¿â's Paws for a Cause
King is a junior special education major and her "second one" is Crick, a one-year-old Golden Retriever/Labrador mix. He is named for Francis Crick, a noted theoretical molecular biologist whose research aided in revealing the helical structure of DNA. Crick doesn't know much about science, but his social skills were evident as he and Chanel, another service dog in training, met students at a de-stressing event hosted by 91²Ö¿â's Student Accessiblity Services (SAS) in their offices in the .
Crick is ready for play and belly rubs. Photo (and header photo) by Phil B. Soencksen, senior marketing writer, University Communications and Marketing.
91²Ö¿â's Paws for a Cause works with , which is a nonprofit organization whose mission is to place service dogs with children and veterans with disabilities. The goal of Paws for a Cause's student trainers is to train service dogs as well as educate the general public about service dogs and their importance. The dog's foster handlers engage them in activities to get them used to being in public and anything they may encounter as the perform their duties.
Rosa King shares details about training a service dog
Based on the traits of the breed and the individual dog, the dog's personality and skills are assessed during training and then matched to what type of service might suit them best.
Service dog in training, Chanel. Photo by Bob Christy, senior photography coordinator, University Communications and Marketing
King said that because of his large size, Crick was considered for becoming a "stability dog" trained to help people who may be unsteady in walking, but was "too clumsy," and "ran into walls during testing."
Service dog in training, Crick. Photo by Phil B. Soencksen, senior marketing writer, University Communications and Marketing
The "Paws for a Cause Puppy Meet-Up" is one of several events hosted by Student Accessiblity Services that are designed to help students de-stress during the academic year, particularly around the times of mid-terms and finals. After the Puppy Meet-Up, several students walked over to a nearby room for a concurrent de-stressing event also hosted by Student Accessiblity Services, "Coloring for Calmness."
Service dog in training Chanel enjoying belly rubs from students. Photo by Kaitlyn Rice, junior chemistry major and president of 91²Ö¿â's Paws for a Cause