DART train becomes special canine classroom Page: 1 of 1

                                
Media Relations Contact:
Jeff Hampton, DART
Cindy Pitney, Canine Companions for Independence
February 28, 2003
DART goes to the dogs on Saturday, March 1
DART train becomes special canine classroom
A DART train will become a mobile classroom for a dozen dogs learning to serve people with
disabilities. The dogs - golden retrievers, Labrador retrievers and golden/Labrador crosses - will be
accompanied by volunteer "puppy raisers" from Canine Companions for Independence and DART
Paratransit Travel Trainers.
"The purpose of this outing is to get the dogs used to the sights, sounds and commotion of getting
on and off trains," said Cindy Pitney, a puppy raiser and spokesperson for Canine Companions for
Independence. "We're getting them used to what will become their life's work."
The dogs, ages four to 16 months, and their raisers will ride from Bush Turnpike Station to the West
End where they will join their trainers at lunch. Pitney said the dogs will practice lying quietly under
train seats and restaurant tables. "Basically, their job is to ignore everything else," she said.
Following their work with the volunteers on basic obedience, commands and socialization, the dogs
will go to California for final training. Once trained, they will assist people with physical disabilities
other than blindness, increasing their independence and security while offering loving
companionship. Because of the vital service they perform, these dogs are allowed access to all
public places, including trains and buses.

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