Our first training

Our first phase of CCI (Canine Companions for Independence) has begun. We mailed in our application to be a puppy raiser last week, and today we received a phone call to set up a phone interview. That will be tomorrow morning. The phone call to set the appointment came literally as we were walking out the door to observe a Puppy Training session at the CCI training center in our area. Perfect timing.

Puppiness in all its glory from 6:30 to 7:30pm - what a great way to end the day. Golden labs and black labs, all round bellied and perky with tails wagging and tongues hanging out. Aged eleven weeks to a few months old. I could have grabbed them all at once and smothered them with kisses and hugs.

Completely laid back and entirely social, the Raisers were wonderful about volunteering to introduce themselves to us, and to answer any question about CCI. The biggest take-away is that there is a kid's training session through CCI that works as a 4-H Club. The students are of Kindergarten age to 12th grade who are  CCI Puppy Raisers and CCI Puppy Handlers (those who own a Canine Companion for their use to aid them in their disability).  They work as a team in one class.

This is fantastic. My children will learn life lessons beyond anything they would have encountered outside of this valuable training program. We didn't see this class tonight, they meet on a different day of the week - we will be returning to observe.

Before we left, I told my kiddos that I wanted to thank the instructor for letting us observe her class. We had arrived on time - but she was a very busy woman closing one class and starting another, I was not able to introduce ourselves beforehand.

And, like it had started, the next class was coming in, we were stopped by another sweet member to get acquainted (again, friendly crowd), and before you knew it, the next class had started with out us getting across the room to the instructor. I really did not want to leave with out a proper thank you - because after all, this woman will be our instructor if we are accepted into the program.

Soon, however, the sweet member was introducing us to the entire class. Wow. The instructor came over and shook our hand and offered my children her (trained) dog. My son beat my girl to the punch and answered a very confident and quick, "Yes, please."  Thankfully, my girl was okay with her lil'bro taking charge.

Off he went.  And we were stuck (thankfully) staying another 90 minutes.

Not fifteen minutes into class and the instructor casually passed, gave me the thumbs up sign, and said, "He's a natural."  I was beaming. This was just the reaction our family needed to hear for a variety of personal reasons. It was fantastic. My son was taking his role with confidence and with great listening on what he had to do as a Raiser.

Some photo-ops.

The smile says it ALL.

We finally got in our appreciative thank you's and were handed training paperwork and a training cd. She must be confident that we will "pass".

Our first training - this is going to be a lot of work, but all for an amazing cause and outreach.