Welcome
to Greenwood Athletic Club!
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Nicole and Theodore were our hosts for the evening--
Nicole's mom set up the outing. Thanks, Deb!
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Two staff members were waiting to give us a guided tour.
What a wonderful way to start the night!
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Exercise
Equipment
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Treadmills
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First stop--treadmills.
Caelyn and Theodore politely make room for each other in the narrow
aisle.
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Chanel tries out the treadmill...Hey! You're going the wrong way!
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Stair Machines
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Chanel thinks the stair machines look like fun!
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Chanel tries a machine that's not moving.
Brave girl!
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Exercise
bikes and rowing machines
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Janet touches the machines to encourage Chanel to investigate it..
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Theodore and Chanel walk among the machines and give
them a good sniff.
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Madera and Theodore are unfazed by the stationary bike.
Chanel's lip licking can be a sign of stress. We watch the dogs closely
for signs that they are becoming overwhelmed and take them out of the
situation before it becomes too much for them.
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Venus doesn't look so sure about the rowing machine when our tour
guide starts it up. It's important to let the dogs set the pace when encountering
new things, and give them all the time they need to investigate and feel
comfortable with the situation.
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Strength Training
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What do these springs do?
Theodore investigates some strength training equipment.
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Nicole and Theodore navigate the maze.
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Venus politely ignores some towels and a little ball--tempting
targets for a young puppy with a penchant for picking things up in
her mouth!
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Onward to the next destination.
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Basketball
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Chanel
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Chanel & Venus
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Theodore
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Caelyn |
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All the dogs were fascinated by the basketball court. So many balls--and
so many people running and playing! They clearly wanted to join in.
Giving our puppies experience with this kind of ball distraction
is so important! As working Guide Dogs, they will have to ignore such
distractions and concentrate on leading their sightless partner safely.
We lay the foundation for that by exposing them to the situation and teaching
calm behavior no matter how stimulated by it the puppies may be. No wonder
balls are a forbidden toy for Guide puppies!
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Indoor Swimming Pool
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Theodore and Nicole look longingly at the pool below.
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Ahh, pool side! This is more like it.
"Can I go for a quick dip, Mom?"
Theodore contemplates the crystal blue water.
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"This is the pool, Theodore, but you can't swim and you can't drink
it."
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Theodore would like to let it be known that he is not
responsible for this huge puddle on the floor!
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Weight Training
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Chanel poses amid the weight training equipment.
All the mirrors don't seem to bother her a bit.
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Amanda shows Caelyn some weighted balls--much to heavy for
a game of fetch--even if such things were allowed for Guide puppies!
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Venus poses in front of the hand weights.
Think she would be able to pick one up and carry it around?
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Nicole shows Theodore some weights.
Looks like he's listening intently to her every word!
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Janet introduces Venus to some big weights.
James and Madera wait their turn.
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Dances
with Dogs
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James and Madera try some hip-hop
with the music blaring in the dance studio.
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James says the trouble with dancing with a guide dog is
"they always want to lead!"'
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Chanel wants to dance, too!
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Dance class is over. Time to go.
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All this exercise is thirsty work!
Good thing Amanda and Caelyn found this drinking fountain
right outside the dance studio!
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Thanks, Greenwood Athletic Club!
We had a great time!
Venus, Theodore, Chanel & Caelyn |
