EDUCATION ASSISTANCE DOGS

Sneakers

As was true of her predecessors, Madchen and Lucky, Sneakers came to work in our Humane and Environmental Education Program by chance rather than by selection. A Golden Retriever/Border Collie mix with a sweet face, Sneakers was playful, friendly, and well-mannered. She loved playing ball and eating pizza. She enjoyed visiting schools and her gentle demeanor made her a welcome, much sought-after guest who won the hearts of students and faculty alike. The principal of one Baltimore elementary school even insisted on treating Sneakers to a pizza lunch during every visit! In her classroom interactions with her owner, Ann Gearhart, Sneakers demonstrated how rich and rewarding the human/animal bond can be. Sadly, in October of 2002, our friend lost a long and courageous battle with lymphatic cancer. But before she died, Sneakers helped a lonely, shelter rescue dog become our newest Education Assistance Dog. You’ll meet SpiritSong next.

SpiritSong

SpiritSong is a long and lanky black and tan hound who was adopted by Ms. Gearhart from the Baltimore County Animal Shelter. Like Sneakers, Spirit is smart, friendly, and well-behaved. Because she was able to model her behavior on Sneakers’, Spirit learned very quickly how to be a good Education Assistance Dog. Since 2002, Spirit has been the Snyder Foundation’s most popular classroom ambassador. When she’s not working, Spirit likes to play games with people, play with other dogs, and pull the stuffing out of her chew toys. And, when she’s really having fun, Spirit does something that most dogs can’t do: She smiles!

Both Sneakers and Spirit were featured in the Community Honor Roll in the Towson Times.

Cleo

Cleo - - short for Cleopatra - - is a large and beautiful African Spurred tortoise who was adopted by Richard Anderson. Although Cleo was captive-born and captive-raised by a reptile breeder, Mr. Anderson believes that Cleo’s parents were probably stolen from their native environment near the African Saharan Desert and brought into this country illegally. A student donated Cleo to Mr. Anderson’s science classroom in 1999 and, since then, Cleo has been Mr. Anderson’s “quiet companion.” While turtles don’t have the same intensive care needs that dogs, for instance, have, like all living creatures, Cleo has very specific needs. She likes to eat grass, and leafy vegetables like lettuce and kale, but her favorites are red-colored foods like tomatoes and strawberries. Cleo also needs to be bathed, but Mr. Anderson has to be careful not to leave her in the water too long because her species is indigenous to the desert. Mr. Anderson fondly refers to Cleo as his “assistance turtle” because she assists him in helping students appreciate the beauty and majesty of all living creatures on planet earth.