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About Eugene weekly. (Eugene, Oregon) 1993-current | View Entire Issue (July 28, 2011)
Sasha at Serbu hen Sasha the Pit Bull won the “Animal Hero of the Year” award from the Oregon Red Cross for her work with at-risk youth, “We really thought that she would get adopted,” says Sasha’s foster mom, Micaela Frank. Frank is also the lead volunteer trainer at Lane County Animal Services. Sasha wound up at LCAS in early November 2010, according to Rick Hammel, the program manager. The same things that might make her a diffi cult dog to pitch to potential adopters — her breed and her deafness — make her perfect for working with kids at Lane County’s Juvenile Justice Center on the John Serbu Campus. And foster-mom Frank says the dog’s deafness shouldn’t deter potential adopters. On Sasha’s visit to EW’s offi ces she exhibited her typical tail-wagging good cheer, sniffi ng and saying hello to every human who walked by and happily accepting cuddles and petting. Because she’s deaf, “she’s really tuned into people,” Frank says. And Frank, who brings the dog to Serbu each week, says it’s Sasha’s much maligned pit-bull breeding that the kids identify with. “Her breed really speaks to that age group,” Frank says. “They all love pit bulls.” LCAS behavior specialist Cindy Ehlers identifi ed Sasha’s potential for working with at-risk youth shortly after she arrived at the W Hero dog needs a home BY CAMILLA MORTENSEN shelter, and Sasha was soon on her way to her Red Cross recognition. Frank says the breed is actually known for being very snuggly, and Sasha is no exception. “You can just pull her into your lap and lay with her,” Frank says. She says the kids tell her, “When I get out, I’m adopting Sasha.” She says that the things they learn about pits from Sasha — how to train her, take care of her and give her a good home, and that pits might look tough but are actually cuddle bugs — would make them good pit owners someday. Hammel says that sometimes the very reasons a dog winds up at LCAS are the same reasons the dog might be good at specialized work, like Sasha’s work with at-risk youth. He says other LCAS dogs that might have been dumped because they obsessively sniff have gone on to do search-and-rescue and been trained to become drug-sniffi ng dogs. “It’s one of the creative things we are doing to avoid euthanasia,” he says. The kids at Serbu help train Sasha, Frank says. Together they learn doggie sign language and basic dog training skills. She says it only took 10 minutes for them to teach her how to shake paw, and soon they took her paw shake and taught her how to “wave.” Now she enters the room and “just starts waving at people,” Frank says. Want to give Sasha her forever home? Email her and Micaela Frank at SashaThePitBull@ gmail.com or fi nd her on Facebook. ew PHOTOGRAPH BY TODD COOPER S.A.R.A.’s Shelter Animal Resource Alliance Rescued Cat of the Week Developing Eugene’s premiere NO-KILL animal re-homing facility. YOU can help this ground-breaking movement. westcoastdogandcat.org Donate or Volunteer ANIMAL COMMUNICATION Giving your animals a voice, with heart! Jai Jamison 541-654-0591 wagtimewisdom.com Want your dog to come back to you even when you don’t have a treat? Try 1 week for FREE at “Heeling Free” Dog School Call me, Harold Hansen at 484-6680. Class starts Monday 14 JULY 28, 2011 EUGENE WEEKLY S.A.R.A.’s Treasures Gift and Thrift Shop 541-225-4955 W AGTIME W ISDOM Hi everyone, Emily here to remind you that S.A.R.A.’s Treasures is not only a great place to shop and adopt but also to VOLUNTEER! With only a 5 hour shift per week, you can help save the lives of shelter animals like me. Stop by for more information about volunteering (or check out our web page), and while you’re here don’t forget to pet me! volunteer • donate • shop • adopt 871 River Road • 607-8892 • Open Everyday 10-6 www.sarastreasures.org Muddy Pet Paws Parlor Self-Service Dog Wash Grooming Natural Dog Foods Gluten Free Dog Bakery 10am-8pm | 7 days 1025 River Road, Eugene Help Support over 40 Local businesses by choosing Mad About Organics ❊ Pets of the Week ❊ Everybody deserves a good home 541-607-6600 muddypawspetparlor.com Craig’s Pro CARPET CLEANING Certified Carpet Cleaner • Free Estimates 541-513-6682 Certified/Insured Any 3 $ Rooms 69 with Scotch Guard $99 expires 9/30/11 Auto interiors & Recreational Vehicles Pet Odors & Carpet Protectant * Certified Organic Ingredients * Safe for Animals 4 weeks & Older * No Harsh Chemicals * Guaranteed Results Toot and Pickles are lovely & smart 1 yr old Calico girls who are looking to be adopted to- gether. These siblings look almost identical, with the same unique “freckle” on their faces! They were found abandoned with a litter of kit- tens, and brought to Greenhill for a new lease on life. Pickles is the more shy one, and loves to lounge, while Toot is more precocious, though both share an independent streak. Indoor/Out- door lifestyle will suit these gals just fi ne, and they can be adopted together for just $90! 541-689-1503 • www.green-hill.org 88530 Greenhill Rd Hours: Fri-Tu 11am-6pm • Closed Wednesday & Thursday To Find a Local Retailer Near You and Product Information, Please Visit www.madaboutorganics.com + Follow us! twitter.com/eugeneweekly WWW.EUGENEWEEKLY.COM • BLOGS.EUGENEWEEKLY.COM
