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.

This was Bailey's off week. She took some time to recover from her surgery last Monday. She has made a full recovery and is back to her normal self. Bailey enjoyed a week of long naps and sunbathing in the back yard. It was relaxing for her and good to have some time off from her training. She is working so hard and is doing very well. Now, it is back to work but Bailey is ready!

Bailey is at the Montgomery Veterinary Associates Hospital getting spayed today. Poor thing will not have a good day today. Hopefully she will be feeling better and back to her normal self in a few days. She is receiving the best care possible.

Fido Fest was today at the Shoppes at East Chase so Bailey thought it would be fun to go meet some new friends! She could not believe how many dogs were there! It was a great opportunity for her to make some new contacts and to demonstrate what a service dog in training does. There were several vendors that had delicious puppy treats. Bailey was excited to be able to sample some. She got so many compliments on what pretty dog she was and how well behaved she was with so much going on around her. Bailey was able to share her story with more people and afterwards go do a little shopping in the stores. She had a fun day.

Today was a very important day for Service Dogs Alabama and Bailey! Pursell Farms in Sylacauga, Alabama hosted a Sporting Day fundraiser for Service Dogs Alabama. Bailey greeted the golfer and shooter contestants as they checked in for the tournament. After the teams left to play, Bailey ventured up to the club house where she met more friends. She enjoyed her first ride on the golf cart and taking the golfers some refreshments. It was a beautiful day and Bailey met many new friends. She was able to meet more trained service dogs who showed her what she would be doing once finished with her training. She a big day and took a long nap on the car ride home.

Bailey made her monthly TV visit to WSFA today. Each time Bailey visits, she meets someone new. She was able to meet Meteorologist Vernon Turner. Vernon was very excited to get to meet her. The news segment was on where Bailey has been and what she has accomplished this past month. After her news segment, Bailey visited the newsroom and showed everyone how much she had grown. All the news staff got to love on her. She was tired from her big morning, so she went home and took a long nap. Her afternoon was spent playing outside with Dallas and enjoying the sunshine.

Bailey has been getting alot of classroom experience lately. Today, she went to Greenville Elememtary and WO Palmer Elementary where she visited the 1st and 3rd grades. Bailey was invited by the special ed teacher to come visit her class while she was there. Bailey was so calm around the children and she seemed to brighten their spirits. The teacher could not believe how calm Bailey was with so much noise and activity in the classroom. Afterwards, Bailey went to the Greenville Town Hall where she met Greenville Mayor Dexter McLendon. Mayor McLendon was very excited to see Bailey and enjoyed giving her belly and ear rubbings. A reporter from the Greenville Advocate came to cover the meeting. Bailey had a big day!

Bailey ventured down to Greenville, Alabama today where she visited Mrs. Ellinor Nelson's and Mrs. Melisa Campbells K4 classes at Fort Dale Academy. Bailey was greeted by 12 energetic children who all wanted to touch Bailey at the same time. Many hugs and kisses were given. All of the children sat on their carpet and watched Bailey demonstrate her commands.

Bailey demonstrates the down/stay

The children got a chance to ask questions about Bailey and have their individual pictures taken with her. Afterwards, the class went to take a class picture by the school kindergarten sign. They showed Bailey how well they walked in a line and Bailey showed them how well she walked beside her handler.

Bailey and Mrs. Nelson's K4 class at Fort Dale Academy

Bailey was a big hit! The rest of the day, Bailey got to play with Lexi and Jill She is all tuckered out and has been sleeping since she got home. It was a big day for her!

Bailey needed some groceries, so today she went to Publix and to practice more of her public access training. She is doing great walking beside a shopping cart and keeping focused. She responds very well to her commands in public. There are alot of distractions and smells in the grocery store but Bailey keeps her mind on her job! She came home and enjoyed a nice walk and fun time of play in the backyard.

Bailey loved helping hunt for Easter Eggs on this beautiful Easter Sunday morning. She enjoyed being in on all the action. Most of her day was spent outside playing with Dallas and enjoying the sunshine. We enjoyed a nice walk this afternoon and met more friends! The children asked what kind of dog she was and wanted to know all about what a service dog does. Bailey showed them some of her commands and the children were very impressed. She is still working very hard on her public access training but has become proficient in her sit and stay! Bailey loves everyone she meets and is really doing great in her training.

It was national puppy day so a very important day for Bailey! Her sister, Tallulah, invited her to come up to Birmingham to the WBRC studio for a reunion. Not only did she get to see her sister, she got to meet several of the WBRC news staff. Everyone was very welcoming to Bailey and excited to see what she looked like. Tallulah and Bailey hit it off instantly and loved playing with each other.

Tallulah left and Bailey right

Each puppy demonstrated how they are doing with their training and of course competed for treats!

Who is Who?

Tallulah is quite a bit bigger than Bailey but she will catch up!

It was a fun day for Bailey and she was glad to see how her sister spends her day.

Left-Janet Hall with Tallulah, Right-Anne Crawley with Bailey

Bailey was back on television today but it was not at the studio. It was a special broadcast at the Montgomery Amphitheater in honor of the first day of spring. Bailey loved being outside and experienced alot of new sights and sounds. She demonstrated to Judd Davis and viewers what all she has learned this past month and helped Meteorologist Amanda Curran give the weather report.

Bailey helping Meteorologist Amanda Curran give the weather report 

 Alot of new friends were made! The Easter Bunny himself came and Bailey had her picture made with him.

Bailey and the Easter Bunny

After leaving WSFA, Bailey made her way down to tour the Harriet II River Boat and had her picture made with river boat manager.

Bailey and boat manager Lainey Jenkins

She enjoyed going on board and getting to meet the captain. Bailey then traveled to have her picture made downtown at the famous fountain and then on the capitol steps.

She enjoyed a nice tour of the capitol and was able to meet State Treasurer Young Boozer.

Bailey at Capitol steps

Bailey and State Treasurer Young Boozer

Everyone that passed her stopped to say hello and asked about her training. While touring the capitol, Bailey was invited to come to the Secretary of State Elections Division office. She was a big hit and everyone enjoyed meeting her. After such a big morning, Bailey was exhausted. She came home and took a long nap. She is resting up for a big week ahead!

Today was spa day for Bailey. Every hardworking service dog puppy deserves a day of pampering. She had a nice bath this morning, hair blown dry and a good brushing. Her coat is now very shiny and smooth. Bailey also had a pedicure done because her nails had gotten long and sharp. She has enjoyed being outside playing and of course her daily activity of napping. We took a nice long walk this afternoon and met a few new friends both dog and human. She is doing great walking with her head halter but is still getting used to it. We are working on a new command and that is to "side" when told. When asked to "side" that means for Bailey to come around to the handler's left side and sit. Shes making progress with it. Bailey is very smart and picks up on anything new very quickly. She is well on her way to be a wonderful service dog to someone!

This morning Bailey enjoyed playing outside with Dallas on this beautiful day. After lunch she came in for a quick nap before she went out for a busy afternoon of public access training. Bailey went to  Publix grocery store to learn how to walk beside a grocery cart and to not get distracted by so many good smells and friendly people wanting to pet her. She did fantastic and being in the grocery store seemed to come naturally to her. She received so many compliments and several people stopped to ask about her training. Afterwards Bailey went to the Garrett Coliseum to attend the Children's Miracle Rodeo. She met several children with disabilities and brightened up their afternoon. One parent commented on how sweet she was and that she wished her child had a service dog like Bailey. The Childrens Miracle Rodeo was a very rewarding experience for Bailey and it exposed her to alot of different people and noises. Now Bailey is sound asleep in her bed!

Bailey and some friends at Childrens Miracle Rodeo

Bailey supporting the Beef Industry at the Rodeo

Ear rubs feel so good

It was a busy weekend for Bailey. She had a blast playing on the farm in Pine Apple with her Border Collie friends Lexi and Jill. There are so many different animals and smells for Bailey on the farm! While outside, she gets to be a puppy and just play and have a good time but when she comes indoors, she is back to work at learning to become a service dog. She enjoyed a lazy rainy day on Sunday where she spent most of her day inside sleeping. She did get her public access practice in over the weekend where she went to Lowes to get some supplies. Today was too windy and cold to go for our walk so we practiced walking with her head harness and on a lead inside. She did very well. Bailey is so lovable and affectionate. She wins the heart of every person she meets! She is doing great and has big things ahead of her!

It was another big day for Bailey. She wanted to get some experience in a school to see if she would possibly want to be a School Dog. Today she ventured out to Coosada Elementary School and visited Miss Autrey's 1st Grade class. She met 17 full of life 1st graders who all wanted to love on her at the same time!

Miss Autrey and her 1st Grade class

Miss Autrey read Bailey and the class a story about finding the right pet. The children all enjoyed having Bailey in their reading circle for story time!
 

Story time in the circle!

Each child got the opportunity to have their picture taken with Bailey and to be able to ask questions about her future as a service dog. Bailey demonstrated her sit, down and stay for the class and they were very impressed! Afterwards, the 1st Grade showed Bailey how well they walked in a line to get their picture taken in front of the school sign. Bailey demonstrated to them how well she walks on her lead with her head halter and through doors! They all had a great time!

Bailey, Miss Autrey's 1st Grade class and Principal Jan Darty

Bailey, the 1st Grade and Miss. Autrey

After leaving the school, Bailey went by River Bank and Trust to meet Kelly Henson. Her son Ian was the recipient of a Diabetic Alert Dog from Service Dogs Alabama. Bailey demonstrated her commands for Kelly and a few of the staff. Everyone was very complimentary her and commented on how well she was doing for such a young age. Bailey is now enjoying herself playing in the back yard. A nap is in her future for sure!

Kelly Henson and Bailey

Bailey was feeling frisky today in this cool weather! She ran and played hard with Dallas. She also enjoyed an afternoon walk practicing her leading skills in her head harness. One our walk, Bailey was greeted by several people and they are always complimenting her on her good manners and her pretty coat! Tonight at the dinner table, she will work on her under, down and stay while we eat. This is the hardest command for her but we just keep practicing. Tomorrow will be a big day for her as she will venture back out into public.

Today was a little on the rainy side so it was a good day for Bailey to sleep in and rest up for a big week ahead! Her day consisted of playing indoors with her toys and practicing her commands. Bailey is still working on laying under the table while people eat. This is a little harder for her to do because she is so full of energy. She is making great progress though! This afternoon she was able to go outside and play with her friend Dallas.

Like most dogs, Bailey believes in the importance of having good dental hygiene. Today she ventured out to Greenville Alabama to visit Dr. William Hamilton and his staff at Family Dentistry. Everyone enjoyed meeting her and hearing about her story of becoming a service dog. While in town, she also visited the staff and patients of Rehab Associates. Seeing Bailey brought joy to the patients while doing their painful therapy exercises. After getting home, Bailey took a long nap. She is still a growing girl and needs her rest!

Bailey 3/3/2018

Bailey enjoyed being outside and playing all afternoon on this beautiful spring day. She had a big time playing with Dallas, her German Shepherd friend, and playing fetch with her tennis ball. After playing hard all day, Bailey enjoyed a nice long nap. Tomorrow will be a busy day of visiting people for her so she needs to rest up!