Many people don’t think of the idea of training service dogs when looking into pets, but the Akers family thought differently. Ever since elementary school, Kelley Akers (11) and her family have been training service dogs, which comes with its ups and downs.
“We came up with the idea because we really wanted a dog after a while, so my parents just sat down and thought about it. In the end, they decided we could train service dogs,” Akers said.
According to Akers, there are so many good benefits to training service dogs, but one part about it really stands out to her.
“My favorite part is probably when they are like eight weeks old and a little puppy because they have so much energy and they are so cute,” Akers said.
Although there are many happy and joyful times with these service dogs, there is one thing that Akers and her family struggle with.
“One of the hardest things about training service dogs is leaving them and giving them away, but sometimes it’s easy because you get to know the person that is with them at all times really well,” Akers said. “Like we are still in touch with our first ever dog, and they recently just got our newest service dog.”
Even though it can be sad and hard to leave the service dogs, there is one good thing about leaving them that makes Akers more happy.
“…it is a happy feeling that they are going to a good place and doing something good,” Akers said.
Many people make really good memories with their dogs. Akers has made many great and fulfilling memories while training these service dogs, but one of them is one she’ll never forget.
“My favorite memory has probably been our first ever dog,” Akers said, “because he went to such a good person and it’s great to see him again…”
