Kaya

Meet Kaya

While I was training service dogs for Canine Assistants, in Alpharetta Georgia, we decided it might be a good idea to try training a shelter dog to be a service dog. We went to an adoption fair and Kaya was there with an animal control group. They found her on the streets of rural Georgia and she was scheduled to be euthanized the next morning unless she was adopted that day. Kaya was attentive, sweet and responsive so we adopted her with the intention of training her to be a service dog for physically disabled people. Kaya learned the commands quickly and was eager to please, but she had one flaw- she had a very strong prey drive. Kaya could open doors, turn on lights and fetch your keys, but if a deer or squirrel passed by, she was only concerned with catching that animal! Unfortunately due to her incredibly strong prey drive we found her ineligible to be placed with a recipient as a service dog. But the good news was that I got to keep her for myself! Now Kaya is with me almost all the times of the day and is such a charmer that everyone loves her- she even comes to work with me, keeping me company while I manage a dog walking business. There is not a person that we pass by who doesn’t want to stop and say hi to Kaya. She is just the type of dog that always makes you smile. The great part is that we still practice her commands and she continues to wow people with her extensive list of commands. She even picks up my keys when I drop them without my having to ask her! Although I do not require these types of services, it certainly can make life a little easier, especially when I have my hands full! Kaya is a constant companion to me- I feel lonely if I go even a day without her. I cannot fathom my life without her, she truly is my best friend in the world. Although she may have failed as a service dog, she has passed with flying colors as a best friend.