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