MOUNT VERNON — The way Cornell professor Cindy Jennings sees it, if she can train a dog, teaching college students should be a cinch.
Jennings, a first-year assistant professor of physical education and the head women’s track and field coach, is training Alby, a 15-month-old male golden retriever, to eventually help people with disabilities. She acquired Alby through Canine Support Teams Inc. (CST), a nonprofit organization based in Temecula, Calif.
Since coming to the school in August, Jennings and Alby have been almost inseparable. Alby has been to a faculty meeting in a lecture room with 75 professors; the weight room in the Richard and Normal Small Multi-Sports Center, where Jennings taught a class; and to a Pet Therapy session in the student union.
“Cornell has a very active service culture and a commitment to goodwill,” said Dennis Moore, dean of the college. “We were happy to welcome Alby, as well as Cindy, to campus. Her project has raised some consciousness, which also makes it an educational project.”
Alby’s progress at learning commands has dazzled not only students, but Jennings herself.
“It’s interesting how much a dog can learn,” Jennings said. “Before Alby I never had a dog that could open drawers, doors, or the refrigerator. He pushes the handicap button to open doors and completes basic retrieval commands.”
Jennings has had Alby since October 1999. Before she turns him over to an advanced trainer in February, the dog must be well-behaved in public and able to complete approximately 30 commands. To aid the socialization, service dogs are allowed anywhere Jennings goes, including all buildings at Cornell or a seat by his trainer on an airplane.
“I get questioned about having a dog with me in stores or restaurants every now and then in Iowa, but I think that’s because there is no program around here,” Jennings said. “When I tell people Alby’s a service dog, they don’t question why he’s with me.”
Jennings graduated from Luther College in 1996 and earned a master’s degree from Northern Arizona University in Flagstaff last summer. While in Arizona she heard of the CST program. Jennings has had three dogs of her own. When her latest pet was killed, she decided to train Alby.
“There is such a shortage of people to train dogs because many of the people don’t want to give them up,” Jennings said. “I’m guessing that the hardest thing about the program will be to turn in Alby.”
With just 18 months to learn so many things, one could say Alby has been cramming for his exams.
“I gave a presentation for the education department,” Jennings said. “I put Alby’s two manuals on the table, which were about 6 inches thick, and told the students, ‘Alby can’t read and he can’t take notes. But he still doesn’t complain that he has to learn all this material.’ ”
Jennings has had Alby since he was 2 months old. Her responsibility is to care and feed Alby and provide minor veterinary care. Since CST is a nonprofit organization, Jennings said many times people donate veterinary care and food. Jennings sends monthly reports on Alby’s progress to CST.
Only about a third of the dogs pass advanced training. There are three options for the others: go into a different program such as search and rescue, guide dog or drug sniffing; become a therapy dog; or become placed in someone’s home. If a dog is rejected from CST or any other organization, it is put on a two-year waiting list and sold for $200.
The only things that have slowed Alby’s progress are his fears of loud noises and large objects. He is becoming accustomed to both as he matures. Jennings said when Alby was 8 weeks, he became startled when her dishwasher switched cycles. He shies away from large objects because he is trained to be submissive. She doesn’t think those weaknesses will keep him from passing the program.
After Alby leaves, Jennings will take a break from training.
“I’ve enjoyed doing this, but my job at Cornell takes so much time now,” she said. “I don’t think I would be able to spend enough time with another dog.”