Bailey's First Report Card

            Service Dogs Alabama and WSFA TV puppy Bailey has been at the prison in Tallahassee, Florida for 3 weeks now. She has adjusted well and is right on track with her training. Bailey and her inmate trainer bonded very quickly and are working really well together.

Bailey and her inmate trainer

            Bailey received her first report card this week. She received P’s, which means proficient, in lets go, sit, down, bed, ok and kennel. She received W’s, which means working on, in look at me, name, come here, leave it, wait, stay, get ready, shake and high five.

Bailey learning quiet

            Her evaluator said “Bailey is a quick learner. She is extremely happy and loves to be around people. Bailey has shown no signs of fear. Loud noises do not bother her such as, moving objects and thunder. Sometimes she focuses a little too much on flies. She enjoys being brushed and groomed. Everyone praises her sweet attitude. Bailey’s gentle temperament will help her to adjust in any given situation”.

Everyone loves Bailey's sweet temperament!

            Service Dogs Alabama Head Trainer Ashley Taylor was at the prison this week working with the inmates and evaluating the 20 dogs in training. Taylor said “Bailey is doing really good. She is adjusting well and is a fast learner. She may be a little behind her sister Tallulah but not far! I am proud of the progress she had made in the first few weeks of her being here”.

            Keep checking for updates on how Bailey is progressing with her training!

It was an eventful day for Bailey. She was reunited with her sister Tallulah. They played and played until it was time to do a special evening segment on WSFA First at 4 News. Bailey got to meet and say goodbye all at once to the evening new staff. Everyone loved her and was so excited to finally have the opportunity to meet their station puppy. The segment was on Bailey's next step in her journey to become a service dog. It is a very big step for her but we all know she will thrive and be back to see us soon!

Bailey appeared on a special TV series today called Time of Your Life. It was filmed at WSFA and featured Service Dogs Alabama. Of course, no one was better suited to appear on the show than Bailey. After the filming was complete, Bailey visited everyone at the studio to say her goodbye's. She is still meeting new people that she hasn't met all of this time! The Alabama Live director wanted to do an impromptu segment since we were there. She appeared on TV again and made her official "see you later" but not goodbye. She had to go see her favorite veterinarian at Montgomery Veterinary Associates to get her microchip and update her kennel cough shot. It is important that Bailey is fully protected when she leaves Thursday for the prison. Bailey is excited about moving on to the next step of her journey to become a service dog but sad to leave behind so many people that love her. We all know she is destined for great things and will save and change some person's life one day! After a busy day, she is now enjoying playing in the back yard with Dallas.

The weather has been warm lately. WSFA had a pool party at the Bell Road YMCA. Of course they invited their TV puppy and service dog in training, Bailey to join in on the fun. Bailey watched some of the WSFA news staff compete in ducky races and pool rock climbing. She enjoyed rooting on her favorite meteorologist Amanda Curran. Bailey was on TV briefly to talk about when she is leaving for the prison. Afterwards, Bailey went home to the cool air conditioning and enjoyed a nice nap. She then enjoyed a nice evening walk. This is one of her favorite things to do.

Service Dogs Alabama hosted a puppy raiser/socializer class at the training complex. Bailey attended so she could help meet and greet people. The head trainer was there and she evaluated Bailey's progress. The trainer said Bailey looked good and was right where she was supposed to be. She enjoyed seeing all the small puppies and setting a good example of how they are supposed to act! Bailey also met Mr. and Mrs. Guice Slawson, who the training center was named for. They loved meeting Bailey and commented on how sweet and pretty she was. It was a fun afternoon and Bailey learned alot! 

It was back to WSFA for Baileys monthly update. Everyone was excited to see her and sad to hear that she is leaving for the prison soon. Bailey did great on TV and everyone loves her. She made her rounds in the studio for everyone to give her some loving. After leaving the studio, Bailey went to play with her friend Missy for a while. She then practiced more of her public access training by going shopping at Kohls and to the Capital Hyundai while she waited for the car to be serviced. She did great and met many new friends. She draws attention to everyone she passes. People want to know about her and her journey. Bailey loves people. She is going to be great at whatever service dog she becomes!

Bailey went to her first Biscuits Baseball game tonight. She had a great time. There were alot of firsts for her. She had never been to a baseball game and been around so many people and strange noises. There were loud trains going by and she was not scared a bit. She stayed focused on her job. Bailey was able to meet the Biscuits team mascot, Big Moe, and have her picture taken with him. She enjoyed watching the game from a cool air conditioned sky box but after a while, she decided she needed a rest and took a nap. Everyone in the room loved having Bailey and wanted to know all about her. Several of the Biscuits staff members wanted to love on Bailey and asked about her journey. She does not meet a stranger and everyone she meets loves her.