To the editor:

I would like to thank all the citizens and businesses of South Whidbey who helped us while we raised Giles, a yellow Lab, who was being trained to become an assistance dog. I took him frequently into many of the businesses on the island. The goal of all of these visits was to socialize him, while also perfecting his obedience skills. He developed quite a fan club!

In May, I took him to Santa Rosa, (Canine Companions for Independence) to turn him in for advanced training.

By the time he got there he was pretty proficient at about 30 commands. While in “college” he learned many more advanced commands and he “graduated” on Nov. 4 as a service dog for a mom/grandma from Tumwater.

Many people have asked me about his fate, but I am sure there are many more who met Giles that might be wondering where he is. His new “partner” was so excited to receive him and after being with him a short time she knew he was going to enhance her independence in ways she couldn’t even imagine.

So for all you folks who wonder how we can raise them and then “give them away,” well, this is the reason. It is not much different than raising a child and then letting them go out in the world to see how they can make it better.

Thanks again for your help.

SHANNAN DUMKE

Freeland