Shawnna Maxwell and Erie
During training runs at Guiding Eyes with an instructor, Maxwell would give Erie verbal commands—“Let’s run!” or “Steady!”—and Erie learned to respond.
"After the first two or three times, she finally grasped what I wanted her to do," Maxwell recalls. “At the end of every run, I would give her treats."
The lessons, which Maxwell completed in a week at the school, teach the companions how to direct and interact with their dogs during a run.
“When I feel her in the harness when we run, she’s so happy."
They have to pay attention to the dog’s harness to sense changes in movements and be ready to respond. They also have to plan a running route ahead of time so they can cue their dogs when a left turn is coming up, for example.
Back in Las Vegas, Maxwell and Erie take 2-mile jogs in a park, and Maxwell hopes to eventually run a 5K together. She also wants to join a local running club with Erie.
Erie seems to be all for it.
“She wants to do nothing but please me,” Maxwell says. “She is a happy dog.”