LEADING THE WAY // BOHDIE
Bohdie is Thom and Sharon Behrns’ 21st gift to the blind. The Behrns, who live in Manton, volunteer as “puppy raisers” for Leader Dogs for the Blind, a nonprofit organization in Rochester Hills. Bohdie is their 21st puppy—a 10-month-old “black-cross” (a black Labrador retriever and golden retriever mix).
“Our job is to provide tons of love, along with obedience and socialization,” Thom says. “We get the puppy at 8 weeks old and we start taking them everywhere.” Bohdie will spend one year with the Behrns before he returns to Leader Dogs for formal training and actual guide work for another 4–6 months.
Bohdie gets another kind of education, too: He goes to school with Thom, a paraprofessional at Manton Schools. “He waits for his next command while sleeping at my desk on a tether,” Thom says. “The students are a great help in raising him.”
So, what’s the training hurdle for a leader dog? Other dogs.
“We use treat training,” Thom says. “And we also use distance as our friend. Knowing how close we can get while still maintaining and reinforcing good behavior is key. Before you know it, we have moved in very close to another dog and our puppy is behaving as he should.”
Whether or not Bohdie becomes a guide dog remains to be seen. “You can’t force the dog to do guide work, the dog makes that choice,” Thom says.
—Visit leaderdog.org for more information
“GREAT” DOGS // BANNER, SHADY AND MURPHY
Diese Geschichte stammt aus der April 2020-Ausgabe von Traverse, Northern Michigan's Magazine.
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Diese Geschichte stammt aus der April 2020-Ausgabe von Traverse, Northern Michigan's Magazine.
Starten Sie Ihre 7-tägige kostenlose Testversion von Magzter GOLD, um auf Tausende kuratierte Premium-Storys sowie über 8.000 Zeitschriften und Zeitungen zuzugreifen.
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Camping With Your Dog
Bringing your dog on your next outdoor overnight excursion? Oh, yes! With a little planning, your canine companion will enjoy camping just as much as you. These Northern Michigan spots are perfectly pet-friendly.
SWEET ON THE BETSIE
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REFRESH IN BLUE AND WHITE
ASKED TO MOVE A HARBOR SPRINGS HOME FROM TRADITIONAL TO TRANSITIONAL STYLE, INTERIOR DESIGNER GEMMA PARKER BUILT ON THE FRESH, TIMELESS ALLURE OF BLUE AND WHITE.
MAKING CONNECTIONS
Explore Emmet and Cheboygan counties by foot, bike or hoof, thanks to this scenic trail.
Please, eat the violets.
The wild violets that dot our forest floors are pretty enough to eat. Go ahead—let our six simple recipes fuel your culinary imagination.
OASIS ON ELK LAKE
ARCHITECT KEN RICHMOND DESIGNS A HOME THAT CAPTURES THE CARIBBEAN COLORS OF ELK LAKE WHILE FEELING COMPLETELY ORGANIC TO THE NORTHWOODS.
LOSS AND NATURE
Leelanau's Cedar River Preserve provides peace and perspective.
GO WITH THE FLOW
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CHAMPION OF TREES
Archangel Ancient Tree Archive is the “most hopeful project on the planet,” says David Milarch.
DINING OUT NEAPOLITAN, BUT WITH STYLE
American House—the Siren Hall spinoff—is making darn good pizza.