Chris Horning, a resident of Sitrin’s Gan Kavod homes, has a new job … and it’s one that most of us would love. Chris gets to play with puppies, in an effort to help socialize them as they prepare to become guide dogs for people with visual impairments. 

Taylor Wilkes, Gan Kavod/Birch shift supervisor, said that Chris is helping Freedom Guide Dogs in Cassville. Her job? To play with the Labrador Retriever puppies, socialize them, get them accustomed to wheelchairs and other adaptive equipment. 

Taylor said Chris has always expressed an interest in working with animals, so the GK staff reached out, made some connections, and helped make this opportunity a reality for her. Although they had to wait for a litter to be born and then get to the right age for training, it was well worth the wait! 

The puppy socialization process at Freedom Guide Dogs is a key part of their development. Chris helps the puppies get comfortable with being handled and having their paws, ears and bellies touched. She also helps them to get comfortable with different people, sights, sounds and situations, as well as becoming familiar with toys, leashes and other equipment. This helps to build their confidence and prepares them for the next step in their journey – living with a volunteer who continues their basic training until they are ready to return to Freedom Guide Dogs for their advanced guide dog training. 

Chris was especially proud to have purchased some toys for the pups, and even found she was quickly able to teach them a good game of fetch, Wilkes says. 

“Gan Kavod staff work continuously to help the residents we serve to find their purpose, fulfill their passion to the best of their abilities, and provide them with a quality life," said Eric Tilton, assistant program director of Gan Kavod. 

Just one of the many reasons that Sitrin does it best!