The canine studies management students settle the graduating dogs-in-training on the stage of the Eresman Theatre following the inaugural convocation ceremony for the first cohort of dogs in the program.--NEWS PHOTO SAMANTHA JOHNSON
reporter@medicinehatnews.com
The first cohort of dogs-in-training and canine studies management students at Medicine Hat College reached a significant milestone. After 14 months of schooling, the dogs are bidding farewell next week to be placed back with the organizations which provided them to the college.
A convocation ceremony was held for the dogs on Tuesday to celebrate the achievement. The program is the first of its kind in Canada and dogs and students began the program in the fall of 2022. While not intentional, the event was scheduled on Giving Tuesday, a global generosity movement unleashing the power of people and organizations to transform their communities and the world.
“This group of students has worked incredibly hard on supporting the training and raising of these seven dogs,” said Samantha Jagt, co-coordinator of the program. “Students have been responsible for these dogs for the last 14 months both on and off campus, housing the dogs during that time as well as ongoing training and socialization.”
The need for service dogs in Canada continues to grow and the wait to receive a fully trained dog can be as long as three years. This program will help reduce that wait and the dogs will receive another four to six months of training before being placed.
On-site program co-ordinator Marissa Jordan stated, “Thank you to our students for the countless training hours you’ve invested into these very special dogs. The numerous cleanups, occasional sleepless nights, expensive training treats and, above all, the love and patience you’ve poured into them has not gone unnoticed.”
