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Organization prepares pups for support work

Debbie Hulick works with her dog, Misty, during a meeting of the Butler Dog Training Association on Tuesday, July 30. Morgan Phillips/Butler Eagle

CONNOQUENESSING TWP — When Debbie Hulick sneezes — or imitates an “ah-choo” sound — her dog, Misty, reaches her mouth into a tissue box and gives a square to her owner. While the command has limited use, the simple action of Misty taking out a tissue and giving it to a person is enough to bring a smile to anyone who sees it — the pup’s true goal.

Misty is a therapy dog certified through Therapy Dogs International, an accreditation she obtained after training with the Butler Dog Training Association. The association not only tests dogs to get their therapy certification, but organizes visits to local schools, nursing homes and summer camps.

Hulick said the dog training association helped Misty learn basic socialization skills, and gain the discipline to work with many different kinds of people, allowing her to visit people as a certified therapy dog.

“She’s so good at it. She never barks at people, she never jumps at them,” Hulick said. “We go to elementary schools, kids read to the dog and she just looks at them.”

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