Our First Training class with our new programs was Saturday. It may have been a week later than our original goal…. but a day that we have anticipated and worked hard to create.  After interviewing the potential Veterans and finding the right candidates (dogs/Veterans) who agreed to set a baseline for others to follow, we were ready to begin. With anticipation all week,  the weather showing a wonderful spring day. Although the night before we were warned that Saturday it was going to rain, be cold and possible snow! Since our training center is not yet built, and we hold our classes outside, this was going to be a problem. So, I sent Donna to the store to but a Canopy tent for shelter. (Thank goodness we had the money for it!) Saturday morning Donna and my husband Joe, were up early, and in the rain they put up our shelter. Donna and I jumped for joy (literally) as we stepped back looking at our *tent* facility, proud again, that we were able to Improvise Adapt and Overcome….

Our first Veteran pulled up, then drove away, then pulled back in again …“I thought I had the wrong address at first.” He said “I thought I was coming to a business…” Yes, we live here. Stiggy’s Sanctuary is our home too.  I turned around to point to our *training center*, the tent blowing in the wind, looking small and silly. The reality sinking in, my pride diminishing, and the feeling of frustration rising. We have come so far….yet we have a long way to go…..

Once everyone was here, the focus turned solely to our Mission. I did not notice the cold, rain or snow (yes snow). I introduced everyone to each other, then to all of us. Donna (Director of training) and our apprentice trainers, Mat Sica, Lynda Gibson and Angel Vogel. Because of theses people, we are able to open up this new program. I also pointed out that, “This is it….. you are looking at our organization, minus Kin Saks or Developmental Coordinator. We do everything….mostly it is Donna and I. This might explain the delay in our return phone calls or emails….”  Realizing once again that our perception is much bigger than our reality.

However, it was the BEST day!!! David had his first raining session with Jackie, who was just pared a few days before. Autumn and Camo made a great break through. Dave and Sarge worked on Lets Play. Radar had his first training class with Lynda (trainer), and Fred and Sasha passed their Canine Good citizen!!!

And I learned another valuable lesson…. Stiggy’s has a great recipe. One that many restaurants might have. You might eat it in a big fancy place, or outside camping. But it is NOT the recipe that is the key …………    it is the *secret sauce*   … US!