First Graduate

Shani, the busy, clever pup from this litter is the first to graduate. . . but not as an assistance dog. As we had suspected since she was a baby pup, Shani had too much drive and energy to be a promising candidate for assistance dog work. While she loved going out in public and could easily learn all the required skills, having to constantly demonstrate a high level of self control did not come easily to Shani. Shani was evaluated by a Master K9 trainer who has helped place other ICAN dogs in jobs as K9 detection dogs. Shani passed her evaluation with flying colors and was partnered with Officer Bill Allen of the Oolitic Indiana Police Department to become the department's first K9 officer. Shani passed her certification as a K9 Drug Dog last January, and Bill and Shani are actively on duty together. With her public access assistance dog manners and socialization, Shani will also be a natural for community presentations. Next month, Bill and Shani plan to compete in the Indiana Sniff Off drug dog competition which in a past year was won by ICAN's Rocky. Shani now has a wonderful life that suits her temperament and talents. Not only does she have a loving family that includes a child and pet dog to play with, but she has an important job that keeps her stimulated. All day, Shani gets to play her beloved games of fetch and find it, but now her toys all seem to smell like drugs!!