Learning from the heart

At-risk students train golden retrievers as assistance dogs. It's tough to tell who learned more.
	[Times photo: Jamie Francis] Dorothy Thomas Exceptional Center student Ashley Lyons and golden retriever Eunice share a hug Tuesday before the dog moves in with Linda LaMay, background. Ashley and four other students spent 18 months training the dogs.

By KATHERINE GAZELLA

© St. Petersburg Times, published March 15, 2000

TAMPA -- Pauline Sacks gave a gentle tug on the leash, and Eunice quickly followed her across the stage.

It was the last command Sacks would give the golden retriever. After a year and a half of training Eunice, Sacks had to say goodbye.

Eunice and four other dogs were trained as assistance dogs by at-risk students at the Dorothy Thomas Exceptional Center in Carrollwood. Tuesday night, the dogs graduated during a tearful ceremony.

Eunice will act as a service dog for Linda LaMay, a Seminole resident who has multiple sclerosis. The golden retriever has been trained by Sacks to guide a wheelchair, turn on light switches and open doors.

Three other dogs in the Kids and Canines program were placed with people who use wheelchairs; the fifth will serve as a companion to four small children.

The new owners of the golden retrievers have spent the past two weeks learning commands to use, such as "settle," "get it" and "down."

LaMay said she and Eunice already have developed a close relationship.

"She is so loving and so sensitive," LaMay said. "She follows my every move. She picks up my every emotion."

Hollie Sanford of Tampa is adjusting to life with Finney, who retrieves things for her, opens doors and, every now and then, slobbers on her.

"Now when I drop things, I don't need someone else to help me," Sanford said. "All the frustration and all the drool is worth it."

Jennifer Wise, one of the teachers at the school, arranged the dog training program as an incentive to the students, who are part of ADVANCE, Hillsborough County's dropout prevention program for chronic truants.

The program has served its purpose. All the students in the group showed improvements in attendance and academics. One student became a peer mediator and student council member.

A different group of five students is training dogs that arrived at the school earlier this year.

A grant from the state to the school has provided $80,000 a year to pay for the Kids and Canines program. It is the first such program in the Southeast, and the first time the program has ever been tried in a public school classroom.

Tuesday night's ceremony was emotional for the trainers and new owners.

One student, Scotty Vyhnanek, wiped tears from his eyes. He hoped nobody saw.

"I cried. I couldn't help it," he said.

After the ceremony, Vyhnanek scratched his dog, Freeman, behind the ears and said goodbye. Freeman will assist Karen Hodges, a Clearwater resident, and Vyhnanek may never see him again.

Before joining the Kids and Canines program, Vyhnanek had poor attendance and a C average. Now, he likes school and his grades have improved, mostly to A's. He thinks the benefits of training Freeman will be long-lasting.

"I still want to go to school," he said. "It's just not going to be the same."

Katherine Gazella can be reached at (813) 226-3472 or gazella@sptimes.com.

© St. Petersburg Times. All rights reserved.