Halloween Dog Obedience Demo and Show at Children's National Medical Center
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Greenbelt Dog Training was asked to participate in a special Halloween Dog Obedience Demo and Show at Children's National Medical Center in Washington, DC on Monday, October 31, 2005. Fourteen intermediate and advanced trained dogs and their owners were dressed in their finest costumes. There was a wizard and witch along with their furry companions all decked out as an angel and a biker. There was a clown and her clown dog as well as Superman, Superwoman with Superdog. The children also enjoyed the very large, blue, hairy, monster "Sulley" performing with her Airedale. A beach person and her dog dressed in swim trunks and red sunglasses was joined by two cowgirls with their sidekicks all dressed up for the show. The youngest student, 9 years old, shared her 9 year old dog in his soccer uniform.
Under the direction of Allie Lee, the elaborately dressed up handlers came with their dogs to show off their obedience skills, hoop-jumping, skate-boarding and canine dancing. The "ScentSations" (canine freestyle dance team) performed a dance routine to the song "Celebrations." Throughout the performance, the doggies and their owners wowed the large crowd in the atrium.
Children could be seen giving hugs to the big German Shepherd Dog, kissing the Yellow Lab on his head, squeezing the neck of the little Terrier/Poodle rescue dog, even giving trick and dancing commands to the dogs who were willing to respond to them. Whatever crying might have gone on that day, all that was heard for more than an hour was laughter and squeals of joy. Those doggies left their paw prints on the hearts of all who saw them.
After the demo/show in the atrium, the full group was honored to be invited to parade in the hallways of the critical wards of the hospital. The children who were not able to come downstairs to see the show displayed smiles from their beds as they saw the dogs. The dogs stopped by each room and did a few tricks in the hallways as the owners waved and smiled at patients and staff. One young girl quickly got dressed to come out into the hallway to see the dogs. She immediately had a staff member take her picture on her cell phone with each of the dogs. The joy and smiles that were received were worth every bit of effort and time put in toward this memorable event.
Allie Lee believes this was one of the most rewarding events Greenbelt Dog Training has ever experienced. It was such a blessing to be involved with a wonderful group of students who volunteer so freely of their time, their hearts and sharing of their pets with the patients and staff at Children's Hospital.
According to Julie Hudtloff, Manager of Volunteer Services, at Children's National Medical Center, "Every time the dogs come they have an amazing ability to put smiles on everybody's faces and really brighten everyone's day. We are always impressed with their ability to boost the spirits of patients, their families and our staff. We love having the dogs especially on Halloween. Having them dressed in costumes really helps kick off the spirit of the day. It really is a treat for everyone."
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