PAGE A12, KEIZERTIMES, MARCH 25, 2022
LIFE
Feel -Good
presented by
STORY
Saluting the people that make
us proud of our community
Good dog—you are a graduate
By LYNDON ZAITZ
Of the Keizertimes
'Thirty-two service dogs attended
their graduation at an event on Saturday,
March 19, at the Keizer Civic Center.
Joys of Living Assistance Dogs
(JLAD) held its first graduation in two
years, handing diplomas to the recipients
of the dogs. On Saturday evening, the
conference center was filled with dogs,
trainers, JLAD board members and those
who had received a service dog supplied
by the Salem-based organization.
The dogs are trained by adults in cus-
tody at the Eastern Oregon Correctional
Institute (EOCI) in Pendleton. Once
a dog is paired with a person, training
continues to acclimate the canine to the
obstacles and distractions of being in
public.
The organization offers dogs free of
charge to recipients. Many military vet-
erans were represented at the graduation.
Some of the dogs are specifically trained
to be alert to Post-Traumatic Stress
Syndrome and others to medical or anx-
iety issues.
The keynote speaker at the event
was Armando Cervantes, who served at
EOCI. He spoke of his life, what led him
to EOCI and how he got involved with
the Prison Puppy program. The evening
was live-streamed to the Pendleton insti-
tute so the puppy trainers there could be
part of the graduation festivities.
Carol Clark read a letter from cousin,
Pattye Larson, who received dog Boo due
to medical issues. Keizer Mayor Cathy
Clark spoke as well, touching on the
theme of inspiration.
A silent auction was held that netted
more than $37,000. Attendees also made
on-site financial donations, which were
collected by Colin with a basket in his
mouth.
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