EDUCATION ASSISTANCE DOGS

Curriculum Vitae for LUCKY

Date of Birth: Unknown but celebrated on October 4, Feast Day of Francis of Assisi

Ethnic Identity: Standard Dachshund with Distinctive Dapple

Current Employer: The Snyder Foundation for Animals (retired)

Current Position: Assistant to the Director of Humane Education, Emeritus

Favorite Foods: Cookies or fast food! ("If you have leftovers, please share.")

Professional Licenses: Dog, Baltimore County, #03-27125; Rabies, #3712; Education Assistance Dog, registered at Dog Ears and Paws.

Awards and Recognitions:

• Radio Reading Network "Personality of the Month"
• GBMC, Special Canine Volunteer
• Pets on Wheels Volunteer
• Interviewed on Channel 44's Cool City Schools

My Life Story:

One cold night a long time ago - - I don’t remember when - - my previous owners decided that they didn’t want me anymore. They drove me into the city and dumped me out on a street, leaving me to live or die. I try not to remember being cold and hungry, tired and alone and feeling terribly afraid. Have you ever felt that way? I don’t know how many days I wandered in the streets but I do know that I was in pretty bad shape when someone from The Snyder Foundation rescued me. Luckily for me, I now live in comfortable circumstances; my only complaints are that I need more cookies and that they won’t let me chase the cats. But I’m not really complaining because I know that millions of homeless and unwanted animals are destroyed in shelters each year. And millions more homeless and abandoned animals die of disease, exposure, and starvation. There aren’t enough homes for us all. So, you can probably see how I got my name - - I really am a Lucky dog to have found some caring, compassionate people who have feelings just like me.

After training Sneakers in 1998, I gradually relinquished my academic responsibilities in favor of long days basking in the sun and dreaming of cookies. In 2002, my friends at The Snyder Foundation conferred upon me their most prestigious award. Along with Robert A. Snyder and Sneakers, I was inducted into the Foundation's "Wall of Honor" for humane heroes. I was proud.

Summary of Professional Experience:

Since 1993, Ann and I have provided humane and environmental education programs to area schools and community groups. Ann is the Foundation’s Director of Humane and Environmental Education and I have to report to her. I don’t really work too hard. My major job responsibility is to look charming and winsome, characteristics that I find come quite naturally to me, and to demonstrate my canine training in public places. Ann tells me, however, that what I do that is really important is to demonstrate how meaningful the human/animal bond can be. She says that for some children, seeing us together may be the first time they have ever witnessed a positive relationship between an animal and a human.