Practical Training Part 2

Today I needed to go to the local pharmacy to pick up my son's prescription. My husband had my car, so I thought, if the weather was good, I would take Kodi and we would walk.

I called the pharmacy and asked if since Kodi is a Service Dog in training, would they still allow entrance. They told me yes, in training or not, if he's a service dog, he can come in.

I put Kodi's Service Dog Vest on and we walked along the bike path. We took a side street and crossed the main road. When we got to the pharmacy, I stopped near the building, in the shade, and offered Kodi a drink of water, hoping doing so might calm him a bit.

After putting his dish away, I took his lead in hand and we went to the doors. They were automatic, so I gave him the command to go 'behind my chair' and he went there, following me inside.

Once inside, he was curious at all the smells. He sniffed the floor as we went back an aisle, passing a customer who was shopping. We turned and approached the pharmacy counter where two elderly customers were waiting. We stopped to wait our turn.

Kodi sat or stood next to my chair within arm's reach quietly, as the other customers were being waited on. He only made one little sound, one time, otherwise he was a good boy.

When we were waited on, I signed that I picked up the prescription and as I took the bag from the pharmacist Kodi stood up and tried to take the package for me. I reassured him that I had it and we went down an aisle toward the front of the store. We passed another customer and stopped in an open area where I could put the bag into my side pouch.

We started toward the exit. I gave him the command to go 'behind my chair' which he did, as we went back outside.

When we reached the outside of the building, I took him off to the side and gave him a lot of praise, pet him and told him he was a good boy. He rubbed his face against my thigh and hand, licking me.

On the walk home, he had his head up, loping along, enjoying the fresh air, obviously proud of himself.

It felt wonderful to be a successful team!