K9 Billie
Meet Billie, a beautiful cream-colored English Labrador with dark brown areas on her ears and back of her hind legs.
Her story and journey is one that is sure to leave a mark on your heart. She started her training as a puppy in a great program allowing inmates to work with dogs. They go through a very stringent application/interview process and when the puppy graduates from training the inmate has learned a skill that can be used for good once he/she is released. But, just like not every job is right for every human; the same applies to dogs and Billie just needed an opportunity to shine in an area where her sweet and sensitive personality fits. So, she came to The Hero Academy and boy is she making an impression!
Billie shares a home with her foster family’s Sheltie and they both enjoy a good game of fetch, even race to see who gets it first. We won’t mention who usually wins. The house cat is not as competitive so they are becoming buddies too. Billie loves squeaky toys and any stuffies that she can try to catch in the air!
When she gets the zoomies, she tucks her butt way under; if asked she would tell you it gives her more power!
At the end of the day, imagine a full-grown English Lab climbing up into your lap for some snuggle time. Billie feels like this is perfectly normal and where she belongs! She is also happy bringing her blanket to wherever her person is and fluff it just right to curl up in for a nap. You might even catch her “talking” in her sleep by the little whimpers she makes, leaving you wonder what she is dreaming about.
Billie is doing great with being comfortable on different surfaces and attending high school sporting events. She responds to “lap” when things get loud and “off” when directed. She is also learning to ignore the unexpected, such as someone walking after dark or another dog barking from another car. One of her strengths is that she is very good at tug which will be used for training specific tasks like opening a fridge.
If Billie could talk she would probably say, “Here’s your flip flop….I promise, I was just bringing it to you!”
Billie’s experiences will make her a very well-rounded service dog. I just picture how heartwarming it will be when Billie meets her person and knows exactly how to help!
