Meet Sierra Sunshine - May 2020

While we are all pulling together during these trying times, we thought it might cheer everyone up with a weekly visit with one of COPE’s amazing future service/facility dogs. Just like humans, each of our dogs has a very unique personality and story. Enjoy!

Meet COPE Service Dogs’ Sierra Sunshine!

COPE’s beautiful Sierra Sunshine and Foster Mom Deborah

Sierra Sunshine arrived at COPE from Dogs with Wings Assistance Dog Society when she was two and a half months old. According to one of her first trainers, “she is one of the smartest dogs I have ever trained.”

Her name was given to her by Connie and Shelby, Champions of COPE who have volunteered for years as fosters, public speakers and even whelped one of our litters. Daughter of COPE’s own Gordie and sister of ZuZu ,Sierra is true to her name, a ray of sunshine!

Sierra is a quick learner and loves to please! She is very excited when it comes to her turn for training. She comes out of her crate and circles her trainer in excitement. However, she can calm down as soon as her trainer gives her a command. Sierra does not have a favorite activity in training; as she loves them all. COPE is considering her to be a mommy for future litters due to her wonderful qualities. A decision will be made when all the breeder screening tests are completed.

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Sierra Sunshine, daughter of Gordie and sister of ZuZu

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‘Sunshine on my shoulders makes me happy

Sunshine in my eyes can make me cry

Sunshine on the water looks so lovely

Sunshine almost all the time makes me high’

-John Denver

“When I lose my way for no reason, being able to work with the dogs always draws me back to school. When my dog learns a new command, it makes me feel like I have accomplished something.”

Student Trainer in COPE’s Canine in the Classroom program

Sierra Sunshine

Sierra’s first visit to the Firehall

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Sierra out in public getting use to different situations

Sierra loves taking part in our Reading Buddy program

Sierra and Foster Dad Andrew

Getting use to the noise at the bowling alley is great training

Sierra Sunshine’s
Picks

Movie:
The Hound That Rocks the Cradle

Activity:
Paw-ty Like a Dog-star

Song:
Don’t Stop Retrieving

Your Weekly Smile

It was the end of the day when I parked my police van in front of

the station. As I gathered my equipment, my K-9 partner, Jake, was barking and I saw a little boy staring in at me. “Is that a dog you got back there?” he asked. “It sure is,” I replied. Puzzled, the boy looked at me and then toward the back of the van. Finally he said, “What’d he do?”

Keeping Your Dog Happy Inside

Alternate Toys to Keep Your Dog Interested

According to studies dogs get bored with the
same old toys
. To keep your dog interested in his toys only give him access to a few at a time. My dog Louie only has access to a couple toys at a time – when we swap them out his enthusiasm for his older “new” toys is high. Keep them interesting by playing a simple game of fetch or tug, interaction will always make a toy much more desirable.

For more info about COPE Service Dogs please visit www.copedogs.org