Think your dog is clever because he can fetch a ball or shake hands? Morgan Earle’s dog Tomba can do all that—plus he can turn lights on and off, say thank you (well, sort of) and unlock doors. He can even pick up a dropped pencil or credit card off the floor, as he demonstrated in front of several dozen preschoolers at Village Babies Development Centeron Valley Street last Thursday. 

Tomba, a silky-coated golden retriever mix with big brown eyes and an unflappably gentle demeanor, isn’t this talented by accident. For the last five years, he has been employed as an assistance dog for 20-year-old Morgan, who has seizures and can’t use her right hand very well.

The demonstration was part of a visit to the school by Morgan and her mother, Jean, to promote the work of Canine Companions for Independence, a national organization that sponsors the raising and training of dozens of dogs each year for work with disabled persons. Liz Lazration, the nurse at Village Babies, organized the visit with the blessing of the school’s Director, Maritza Richards. “We wanted to expose the children early on to people with special needs,” said Lazration. “And show them how they can still lead productive and independent lives--with a little help, of course.” The school also ran a bake sale with funds going to CCI.

When they are just a few months old, pups bred especially for calm dispositions are placed by CCI with volunteer “puppy raisers” who teach them a wide variety of commands, from opening doors to pushing a shopping cart, that will make life a lot easier for someone with a special need. The two year training program is rigorous: Only 40 percent of puppies who start out “graduate” and get jobs as assistance dogs in a working home. Companions are placed free of charge with the disabled person who receives them. Need is so great, however, that there is usually a two to three year wait for applicants. 

Canine Companions are also special for what they don’t do: get jittery or bite when approached by someone who doesn’t know the proper way to handle a dog. To illustrate, Jean Earle asked two four year olds to come up and “act really crazy” around Tomba. Despite vigorous petting and pulling, the dog remained amazingly calm. Then the children learned the correct way to pet an unfamiliar dog--after asking the owner if it’s okay.

One by one, every preschooler in the room had a chance to come up and pet Tomba, as well as another CCI puppy-in-training, Domino. “Can I give him a kiss?” asked a three-year-old girl who minutes before had been hesitant to touch the young black lab mix. As occupational hazards go, it’s certainly not a bad one. 

To learn more about Canine Companions for Independence, make a contribution, or volunteer, go to www.cci.org or call 1-800-572-BARK.